diagnosed this week

Sorry to hear that you've been diagnosed.  It is very overwhelming in the beginning..... it does get better though.

The shock is awful but now you have appointments lined up so they will tell you what they are going to do about it.  That's when it will start to become easier for you.

Hugs x

You're not losing it, what you are feeling is perfectly normal.  The beginning is the absolute worst.

Don't be afraid to get a prescription for anxiety medication - it's a godsend at times like this.

It really will get easier, for now, just keep taking deep breaths and take baby steps xxxx

((((hugs)))) vacindy48. You aren't alone. Everyone here understands exactly how you are feeling, and Janet is correct, the beginning is very difficult. We're all here for you! 

VaCindy,

I am so sorry about your diagnosis. I kept it together really well, then it all hit me. I was having such a difficult time that I was afraid my anxiety would interfere with my ability to make good, informed decisions. I talked to my doctor and was prescribed Zoloft. I feel so much better about my ability to think and make decisions now.

It is normal to be shocked, saddened and preoccupied. But don't be afraid to ask for help.

Good luck with your MRI!

I know exactly what your feeling as do most of us, we are here for you and once things get place appointments erc things will mellow out but right now I do remember that overewhelming feeling, But hang in there I want to lift you up by encouraging you with this: I am a020 yr SURVIVOR(Praise GOD) and so again hang in there sweetie. msphil(idc,stage 2 , 3 nodes, L mast chemo and rads and 5 yrs on tamoxifen found lump myself and ALL while planning for my wedding) 

Sending you all many (((((((hugs))))))!

Hi Vacindy,

You are not alone for sure.  Just remember to breathe -- take deep breaths.  Cry as often and as much as you feel it.  Don't feel bad about feeling bad and apologize to no one for having crazy emotions that you can't explain or control.  I still have days, not as many now where I get so emotional that it gets the best of me.  I go with it until it passes.  

I was officially diagnosed on valentines day this year.  I went through all the tests, mam, biopsy, MRI, genetic testing.  My diagnosis was ER+, PR-, Her2 - plus 1 which essentially is considered negative.  Cancer was in my left breast.  I had a mastectomy in April and lymph node surgery in May.  My quick pathology during 1st surgery had lymph nodes being negative, but final path a week later showed one out of two positive.  My surgeon said this only happens about 5% of the time so it was unusual.  2nd surgery to remove remaining lymph nodes (6 more) went smoothly.  Final path on those was negative ( a win for me). 

I am typing this message as I sit for my 6th chemo treatment.  Two more to go and then wait for 6-8 weeks to finish my reconstruction. It is a full blown journey.  Patience is a virtue.  Ask lots of questions and worry not if you think any are crazy.  Be an advocate for yourself.  It took me 6 months to come to full acceptance and once that happened, I became a new person.  I am working full-time through the treatments and traveling for work every week.  I take my chemo day off every two weeks.  Not making it sound easy because it is not, but I think I am doing ok considering.  I just discovered this site about two weeks ago and wished I had found it sooner. I, too, did tons of reading and research which made me crazy.  My only regret to date is that I did not have a double mastectomy.  In hindsight I wish I had.  Hope this is helpful. Many blessings to you as you begin the journey that none of us want to be on.  Let me know if I can help in any way.  Lots of wonderful women on this site.

it is an awful experience. Diagnosed in July 2014.. Trying to decide on treatment.

It will get better 

Hugs 

Dear Pita116, welcome to BCO but sad you had to find us.

You seem to have tried to do much more than the normal but still received the dreaded Dx.

We hope that the nodes are clear and you have caught it early through your diligence. We send (((HUGS))) as we know how frightening this waiting for everything to happen is. You are most definitely not alone as there will be lots 'in your pocket' for your future processes.

Let us know how you go as we are here to help. If there is anything you need to know let us know as the sisters on this forum want top help, as do we.

We assume you've read up on IDC — Invasive Ductal Carcinoma on the main site too, and now have to make some major decisions. We hope the huge amount of info and experience on here helps you in making the decisions for your case. We wish you the best.

The Mods

Your feelings are completely understandable no matter what they r. Keep coming back here

I remember the first time. I live in a rural area and I wandered around the woods, crying and crying and asking "what will I do, what will I do!" then started walking all over the place, about 10 miles a day.....crying and crying. It is an awful place to be, but you do get through it, often with a little help (ativan for me) The second time was easier in that now I knew what was in store. Do NOT do this journey alone. However you find it,,,,friends, partner, groups.....find that support! We ALL NEEDED IT AND STILL NEED IT. What you are going through will be an existential crisis and yes, you will find your way out of this very dark place. You WILL. ((((HUGS))))

Vacindy, Reading your posts is like having someone read mine back to me when I first came to this sight. I remember one wonderful lady saying, "Breathe, you're not dying - at least not today. It's going to by okay." (By the way she was a long time survivor of stage IV breast cancer and still doing very well - kind of put it all in perspective) Well of course I didn't believe her at the time - but she was right. Just like everyone else has said the beginning is the worst, once you have a plan it becomes better, kind of like a routine (not always a nice routine - but a routine) Once you begin to get some answers it will all become more manageable (but in the mean time do consider something to help you relax - my magic pill was Xanax  -don't know if the small amount I was prescribed did anything - but mentally I felt better) 

I too remember looking at random people and being envious because I believed they had not a care in the world - and for me the sky was falling. This too will pass as you see the direction you are going and how each step of this journey will make you stronger and more focused on what you need to do.

Wishing you the best of luck - there are tons of wonderful supportive people on these boards that will help you through every step of this journey. It has been my one regret that I won't been able to thank them all personally for the time and effort they gave me when I needed their experience. Let us know how you are doing. Kris