New diagnosis

I'm so sorry. I know how you are feeling right now, I was just there myself in June. Did everything right....mamos, ultrasounds, ate clean,, worked out even had BRACA test before DX and then BAMMM! I'm 49 and my mother died from breast cancer at 60.   I too was a bit "late" for mammo as I was helping care for my father who was dying from colon cancer.  Please don't beat yourself up about that, I know I did...but my doctor said "late" I have patients who wait 5 years between mammos. 

I know you are sacred and this board is a great resource. Stick with it. It can be a lot of info. Sometimes I feel Cancer has become my full-time job!  

LIST of things to do right now is book doctors appts and if you feel comfortable-speaking with friends ask who they used as well as surgeons they used. You'd be surprised how long it can take to get appts!  Some require the biopsy labs even before booking--this will tell you size and type and grade. All important information in treatment. MRI will give you more info as well. Just start getting names of doctors. 

Breathe...It will be Ok, you can and WILL do this. I have come SO far in TWO months I barely recognize myself. 

After i was DX a quick script for Xanax from my Primary care physician enabled me to at least sleep. You would think with all the all day crying I did, I would be worn out...but I couldn't sleep either. Just a suggestion.  

Just take it one day at a time. I can see how your overwhelmed if your OB is talking about hysterectomy at the same time but if they're sure it's a cyst and not something else than put on the back burner. Everybody's right. Take something for sleep because being sleepless only makes your ability to make decisions harder. Once you get your results, take a breath. Take some time to make your decisions.Talk, talk, talk, to everybody you can. Family, friends, and BC people. It helped me organze my thoughts. We've talked about this before on other threads but I think most of first reactions are to get this thing out of me as soon as possible. I was like that as well. So I had a lumpectomy and then took some time to decide what my next steps were. I wanted to make sure that I had no regrets and didn't want to have that feeling like the cancer was in there waiting to spread while IO was making some huge descisions that will impact the rest of my life. It's alot of info all at once while your in crisis. And alot of your treatment is "up to you". Unlike other cancers where they just say this is what you "need" to do. So One day at a time. One minute at a time, one decision at a time. You can do this. We're all here for you.

hello sweetie, I know its alot right now but when doc apps and such are in place things will get a little better for you. keep HOPE for that got me through along with support of family and friends, to Inspire you to hang in there I am a 20yr Survivor(Praise GOD).msphil(idc,stage 2, 0/3 nodes, L mast with chemo before and after surgery, rads and 5 yrs on tamoxifen)

I remember you said in your original post that you have biopsy and MRI scheduled this week correct?? Is that still happening? 

I see you mention your GP. When you say he can't get you in for an appt do you mean with him or with a breast surgeon? Please don't feel hopeless. Things are far from hopeless though it is overwhelming in the beginning. You need a hug! Can you use family and friends for support for now since you can't get to a group? Think about whether you know someone that's also had BC. Even if you don't know them well. You'd be surprised how much other women who have gone through this are willing to listen and talk it out! It helped me to talk to a friend that I knew had been through this in person just to keep my mind from getting crazy.  Give them a call if you do. Use them to talk it out while your waiting for appts. and of course their is always us!  Crying is fine! Do it. For me the stage your in was the worst part. Once the treatment plan was in place and things were scheduled it got better. Felt like I was more in control. I hope the same will happen for you. 

Ok- Biopsy done, MRI soon....you're gathering very important information and this all will help you make the best decisions. Don't worry know how you paying for it right now. Only deal with getting an accurate diagnose and finding the best doctors you can. THIS IS THE WORST PART...believe us when we say that.  Maybe your doctor can't see you but they can certainly call you to go over results of tests. This IS all consuming--I'm so sorry your dealing with this but you have to be strong and take one day at a time...keep making progress each day in finding the best treatment for yourself. 

The best advice I received was from a good friend who does not have cancer of any kind....but the advice is solid.  Don't borrow trouble.  Go with what you know.  This means don't read stuff on the internet and "just know it applies to me".  Nine times out of ten, it doesn't apply to you.  Why waste a good worry on "what if"? 

"Go with what you know" became my mantra....and I said it to myself over and over in the early days.  It stopped many many pity parties in their tracks.  Its okay to have a pity party sometimes ....we all need to allow ourselves to have a good pity party....but try to keep them to a minimum. 

Use your humor and your upbeat personality to your advantage.  They will become your best weapons as you move forward.

I'm sorry you had such a tough time with the MRI.  Each test result will give you and your medical team the information to make decisions about treatment. Take good care of yourself and take one thing at a time. I had to learn to take one test, one appointment at a time and not get too ahead of myself worrying.  Easier said than done, I know!  

Sending hugs,

Sandy

illvecoasters, good luck at your doc appointment today.  I'll be thinking of you! Let us know how it goes.

I understand the fears around family and work.  Keep taking it one thing at a time.

Sending hugs, 

Sandy