results are in

Sorry you have to be here...but you are in the right place.  Regardless of the diagnosis, things should move at a pretty good pace from here on out.  And it can be a bit overwhelming.  Doctors appointments and tests every time you turn around.  Some tips to help along the way:

1.  If you can, try to take someone with you on the appointments with the surgeon, oncologist, and plastic surgeon (if there is a plastic surgeon in your future).  They need to take notes or even record the conversation.  Almost all of us can only absorb so much, especially when talking about you and cancer in the same sentence.  You will want to go back and review the notes or recording at a later date.

2.  Although you see the surgeon first, the oncologist drives this bus.  Be sure you are comfortable with your medical team....and yes, cancer is a team sport, or it should be.  Hopefully, your experience will be similar to mine in that all my doctors chatted with each other...and still do....when it came to my care and treatment.

3.  Your doctor may or may not order additional tests, such as a PET scan or MRI. 

4.  Stay off the internet.  Much of the information out there is outdated or just plan wrong.  John Hopkins, Mayo Clinic, American Cancer Society are all good resources or just hang here.....lots of good resources and supportive women here.

5.  Breathe.  Take one day at a time.  It's okay to be scared, angry, upset, etc.  But save that energy to kick cancer's butt.  Don't give it any more of your time or attention than you have to.  If you need help with sleeping or anxiety during these early weeks, please do not hesitate to ask for medication. 

6.  Hang in there!  This is a great place to be.  There are women of all ages and all stages.  We are here for each other and we are here for you! 

Others with a diagnosis closer to yours will be along soon.  I just wanted to give you some food for thought while we wait for the others to chime in. 

Hugs!  Let us know how you are doing!!

Doona, I am so sorry you recieved bad news. Cancer just plain sucks. I am so glad you wrote that you are strong...that strength will return soon and you will think more clearly.  Do you have a treatment plan yet? Again so sorry you are going through this.

Doona......SHOCK!! All of us had that reaction......the only thing I can tell YOU is do it YOUR way.....all of this is a Choice....Listen to what they tell you.....Digest it and get your game plan.....Liz

we all have been where u are sweetie, things will settled down when plans are in placewith docs, so I know about crying and overwhelmed I was planning my 2nd wedding to man I had prayed for when I found the lump,I am now a 20 yr SURVIVOR(Praise GOD) and I use my long term survival to INSPIRE others like u to have HOPE and stay Positive, get your cry out, it,s ok. Hang in there. msphil(idc,stage2, L mast, 0/3 nodes, chemo and rads and 5 yrs on tamoxifen) God bless. 

I was taking lorazepam I was shaking crying and my mind couldn't stop. I was constantly looking for the answer. A couple months later mind finally pushed the cancer to the back burner and let me continue with my life.

It will get better I promise you that.

Aloha Doona,

I was diagnosed with IDC, Grade 3, on June 18th. The lumpectomy on July 1st confirmed the node involvement. I'm so sorry you've joined the club, however it's a great place to start. Since we have the same diagnosis, I can certainly appreciate what you're going through. All of us have our own way to respond to these life changing events. It personally took me 3 days to get outside of the sheer panic and terror and claw back to my life. Nancy2581 and I both connected with our MO to get the additional help we needed.  I also took them up on the offer for sleep aids.

So, today was actually my 2nd chemotherapy treatment. It's certainly not something to get excited about - but it is doable. The thing I tend to focus on is day to day living. It's the fear of the unknown that keeps me uptight, so I try to stay as present as possible. I know your overwhelmed right now, but you'll start to feel better when you realize how much there is out there to kick this thing. Life became a great deal 'easier' when I had my treatment in place. 

My understanding is that there are 14 MILLION cancer survivors. That's nothing to sneeze at. Rest assured Doona, you'll get through this, even though there times when it looks the most bleak. 

Hugs from the Hawaiian Islands.

PS: Cancer is a condition - it is NOT an outcome!

Kalina

Doona

I was just diagnosed on 8/13/14. IDC. It's a whirlwind of confusion and stress. I'm still going through the remainder of evaluations. I had a MRI on 8/22 and a Full body CT scan and appt with the plastic surgeon is next 9/3. My breast specialist has recommended a double mastectomy. I have not met my oncologist yet. After two weeks of inconsolable crying I finally saw my general practitioner who prescribed Ativan. It's a super low dose but helps me avoid meltdowns when needed.  I'll be here with you every step of the way. We will get through this.  

Michelle

Doona,

Popping in from the December 2013 Chemo thread. I was diagnosed with IDC, Grade 3, also. No lymph node involvement, but I gave the MO and radiologist a scare on that one. MO said he was not surprised my IDC was Grade 3 because of my "young" age of 44 at diagnosis. The Grade 3 has concerned me more than anything, but at final mastectomy, they changed it to Grade 2. MO said it could just be the pathologist's reading.

Because of the Grade 3, I had chemo first - 4 rounds of Cytoxan/Taxotere. I worked the entire time during chemo, but I can understand how difficult it could be for some women not to work. I chose a double mastectomy, but I can understand why some women choose a lumpectomy. There are some great resources on here (Beesie, I think for one) to help guide you in your decision. It truly is a personal one. But you will make the right one for you.

I am scheduled for my final (I hope) surgery on October 6 for implant exchange. Some days it seems like yesterday that I started this journey, and some days it seems like an eternity. 

Sending you a hug and lots of prayers! You can do this!!!

Dear Doona - 

Glad to hear the surgery's behind you and you got clean margins - you can tick that box. 

Good luck with your chemo. There are different fora for those using specific chemo regimens, if you would like to connect with other who are using whatever you'll be on. 

Take good care of yourself and keep us posted.