Just diagnosed/scared

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jillann
jillann Member Posts: 3
edited December 2014 in Just Diagnosed

I am newly diagnosed. On Wednesday I go for lymph node biopsy and am scheduled for my mastectomy on the following Wednesday. I feel like I am just lost. I am so anxious, can't sleep, eat, and am almost paralyzed to think about anything normal in my old life.

My family doctor has prescribed, Xanax for anxiety, Ambien for sleep, and Zoloft too. I have never even taken a pill so this concerns me too.I would love some encouragement if anyone has to offer.

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  • Nancy2581
    Nancy2581 Member Posts: 1,234
    edited December 2014

    Jillann I am so sorry you were diagnosed with BC. Big hugs to you. The beginning is so hard. It's a shock -we all understand what you are going through. I was a mess when I was first diagnosed. I also got Xanax and then my MO gave me Ativan. I used the Ativan to sleep at night because I just couldn't. I went on lexapro which is an antidepressant. Things do get better and I want you to know that. Once you find out more and have a treatment plan in place you will feel better I promise. This board has lots of information and is extremely supportive. Hang in there you will be ok.

    Nancy

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited December 2014

    Jillian-

    We want to welcome you to Breastcancer.org. We're so very sorry for what brings you here, but we're glad you've found our community.

    As Nancy said, the beginning is really hard, and can be incredibly overwhelming, which may be why your doctor opted to give you those prescriptions now, rather than wait until you got to a bad point. If you don't feel you need them, you're under no obligation to take them, but it couldn't hurt to have them just in case. Try to take it one day at a time, and know that you're not alone. We're all here for you, for support and advice and just someone to listen when you need it.

    Please keep us posted on how you're doing. Sending you lots of good thoughts on your biopsy and mastectomy!

    The Mods

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  • jillann
    jillann Member Posts: 3
    edited December 2014

    Thank you for replying so quickly Nancy. Your words of really help me. I am grasping for anything. Thank you again.



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  • blueflowers
    blueflowers Member Posts: 46
    edited December 2014

    Ho Jillian, Sorry that you had to join this group, but believe me , being a member here will help you get over this nightmare. I was dx October,14, had my surgery done, will start chemo next week. At first its a lot to process, but take a deep breath and tell yourself you will get over this. One day we will all look back at these days and realize how strong it made us. Relax,rest and be positive. Read from the different threads from your related forums, you will get a lot of information.

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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited December 2014

    Jillann - just wanted to send you a bit more support and reassurance that it honestly does get better. Do feel free to use those RX as needed - you've had a huge shock and it's so much to get your mind around that sometimes you need to know that you can escape into the oblivion of sleep without your mind circling round and around the diagnosis. Count yourself lucky that your doctor gave you something to help - mine didn't. The radiologist who did my biopsies stepped in and gave me a prescription for Ativan.

    It seems as though all your decisions have been made very quickly - please don't let yourself be rushed into anything before you understand your diagnosis and options. Do insist on answers AND compassion from your doctors.

    I'm so sorry you're in this place, Jillann. It's a horrible place to be, one I honestly wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy, but, although it may not seem possible at this point, you will find your ways of dealing with it and it WILL get better. We're all here to help you. Good luck with your lymph node biopsy; I hope you get the results quickly and that it's good news. I have a feeling you could use some at this point.

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  • Nash54
    Nash54 Member Posts: 837
    edited December 2014

    hi Jillan....I remember what a mess I was after being diagnosed. I had never taken anything for anxiety, but it did help me get thru the tough part. It does get better with time. And it sure helps to talk to others who understand.

    (((hugs))))

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited December 2014

    Basically - I refuse(d) to take any mind altering 'meds'. I want to have my mind working, not being numbed by drugs when I had life sustaining decisions to make. We are all so different though and some do want/need meds - I didn't and many others don't either. It is personal and a decision to make as to what you believe to be best for you - not what anyone else says (me included).

    I did during the Taxol take lowest level Ambien because the SEs kept me from getting any sleep at all. My Chemo Dr gave me a script for 'something' (don't remember what) that gave me horrible nightmares (something I normally NEVER have) so called my PA and she gave me lowest level Ambien which did allow me to get several hours a night with no horrendous nightmares.

    Because a 'med' is a 'life saver for some does not mean it is for all.


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  • asly
    asly Member Posts: 13
    edited December 2014

    Hi Jillann, it is so much and so hard to process. The thing that helped me the most was researching all that I could about my certain type of breast cancer and my options. The support on this and a few other boards really helped me when I started to freak out. Don't be afraid to ask anything to your doctors, the more you know the easier it is to comprehend. If you don't understand what they said or meant, ask for it to be explained differently. That's why they are there. I'll be keeping you in my thought!


    Amber

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  • Holeinone
    Holeinone Member Posts: 2,478
    edited December 2014

    Jillian, I got those 3 meds, after the lumpectomy, chemo, during the time I went to daily radiation. I had never taken anything before. ( except birth control ) My advice, take that stuff. Only the Zoloft, needs to be taken daily. Ambien & Ativan, is when needed.

    It all sucks ! Being dx, treatment & the healing time after tx is roller coaster of fear & anxiety.

    If you need chemo, find the group here, on BCO, that is starting when you do. Hopefully you will not need it.


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  • Bippy625
    Bippy625 Member Posts: 890
    edited December 2014

    hi jillann,

    Come on over to the December surgery sisters board. I am getting my bmx on 12/17 too! You are not alone. Take the meds, they do help. They actually cleared my mind vs. the paralyzing anxiety. Low doses of course and don't overdo.

    Do you know if you need chemo? There are boards for that too. This is a wonderful place, glad you found it. It has made all the difference to me. Hugs!

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  • dimccleland
    dimccleland Member Posts: 59
    edited December 2014

    Hi Jillann

    I'm so with you ... I am also newly diagnosed - in fact also on the 8th of December - IDC diagnosis confirmed today. I have an MRI and lymph node biopsy scheduled tomorrow and a PET scan next week - still not sure what the next step will be after that. At the moment, I just feel like I am going through the motions but I'm hoping that the fog will clear soon.

    Good luck with your biopsy today

    Hugs x

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  • sassyon3rd
    sassyon3rd Member Posts: 18
    edited December 2014

    Hello Jillann

    Just diagnosed today.  I know we are in the right place with what we are facing.  I have already found so much support on here. Sending prayers and positive thoughts to you.  My emotions are running all over the place as well.  Fear, anxiety, can't sleep, don't feel like eating....it's alll there.   The best way I can describe it is like I have a BIG dark cloud hanging over my head.  Along with the feeling that I'm never going to be happy or laugh again.  BUT, I know that is not true.  Reading others accounts on here who have been exactly where we are now and seeing how far they have come gives us hope.  When we look back on this a year from now...we will be giving advice to the newest members of this awful club.  

     

    Also, I had never taken anything to relax me either.  My doctor prescribed Ativan for me.  I was just as terrified to take it as I was of having the biopsy done.  It was wonderful.  I don't think I would have made it through the procedure (calmly) without it.  I had a bad case of the trembles just going to consult with the surgeon about the biopsy. 

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