Anxiety

Options
WandaWoo
WandaWoo Member Posts: 4
edited June 2014 in Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts

I was diagnosed with stage 1 BC (no lymph node involvement) 10 years ago.  Had a lumpectomy and radiation. I did quite well until my daughter was diagnosed with stage 3 BC 6 mos after my diagnosis.  Her cancer cancer returned to her spine and lungs and she passed away two years ago.  I recently learned that my grandfather passed from BC at age 72 in 1952.  To be honest I am now so frozen with fear of a recurrance that I am unable to enjoy my life.  Anyone else going through this?   Any suggest

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Fiaranch1
    Fiaranch1 Member Posts: 328
    edited May 2014


    Wanda Woo,

    First I am so very sorry for your loss . As a parent I cannot imagine what you have gone through.  I was diagnosed with BC very young the 1st time I was only 28 and had a lumpectomy. Twenty five years later 1  was diagnosed again this time on the other breast . My new  radiologist ( I switched the place where I had mammograms done) told me there were issues with each of my prior 5 year films (that had never been previously  reported). This time I said no more and opted for a BMX with no reconstruction  I know nothing is ever guaranteed but at least I have peace of mind with my decision .

    Given your family history have you had genetic testing ?  If not could you ?  This may provide you with more information with which to make decisions. I know that a BMX is a very personal decision and not one any of us takes lightly . For me I felt like I needed to do everything I could do to minimize yet another recurrence   Please let us know how we can help .      

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited May 2014

    Hi Wanda Woo - So sorry about all the heartache. After my diagnosis I fell into a deep depression. The fear of recurrence loomed large every second of the day. I met whith a counselor from my church who is a social worker in real life. She felt like things hit me especially hard because I never dealt with the grief of losing my mother at age 5 to BC. In addition Fiaranchi makes an excellent point about the genetic counseling. I did it and since my mother was diagnosed at 27 and we had a male BC in the gene pool I was a candidate for the BRCA testing. If you are positive it would be good info to have re:ovarian cancer risk. If you are not it may help you move forward. Beside the counseling meds helped me too. I still take Effexor. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories