Just diagnosed

Leighrh, I know how you feel. After I was diagnosed, all I could do is imagine the Cancer cells spreading. WinningSoFar is right, it doesn't happen that fast, a few weeks won't make any difference. Some younger women undergo fertility treatments to harvest eggs before Cancer treatment. If time was so critical, they wouldn't do that. I'm Sorry to welcome you to the club that you never wanted to join, but you'll find that the best people are in it. Good luck with your doctor appointments. Definitely take someone with you or take a recorder so that you don't miss anything, it is so overwhelming

Leighrh:

Sorry that you have joined the club no one wants to belong to.

The initial shock and fear with this diagnosis really knocks you off your feet. While you wait for the specifics of your diagnosis, researching this topic is overwhelming because of all the possibilities. I was like you too, thinking that every day that passed, my cancer was spreading. But as has already been mentioned, it doesn't happen that quickly. Instead try to use some positive imagery and imagine your immune system (kicka** soldiers) building a wall around your tumor.:). Take a deep breath and take it one day at a time.

There will be a lot of information coming at you over the next few weeks. Having someone to accompany you to appts is so helpful for the support and for the extra set of ears to take in the information. Something that I found helpful to keep myself organized was to take a binder and start filling it with copies of my tests/procedures/surgeries, resources, business cards of all the different medical specialists I saw etc. This way I had all my info in one place for future reference, and I could add and update this information as I needed. Once you start to get more information from your tests etc.. you will be able to formulate a plan and this will hopefully give you more of a sense of control over what is happening.

There are so many wonderful women on this site who have been where you are and are here to help give you support. I'm with formydaughter, eat Popsicles if it makes you feel better

Leigh

sorry that you find yourself here-but you will get great advice and guidance.

I was dx around the holidays 6 years ago--2 kids, full time job--- it felt like a dream-I could not believe it was happening. Lots of things were delayed due to the holidays-- and no one on my medical team was overly concerned (meanwhile I was going out of my mind). I ended up with a lumpectomy, chemo, radiation and 5 years of hormonal drugs. I am off the drugs now and doing just fine and consider myself cured.

Some things that helped in those early, "hurry up and wait" days. Ativan (for anxiety--didn't take it much, but loved having it), Ambien (for sleep--I took a half of one every night for a while--I found I really needed my sleep to cope with the days and the information), digital voice recorder (for all dr. visits--I still use this--it was suggested by my surgeon and it has made all the difference-- I just turn it on and then we can have a discussion-- so if I go to the visit alone- no problem (I never went alone, but now I do!) Exercise (just always helps) and meditation (another thing that always helps).

Good luck-- when you have all of your information, you will definitely feel more in control and once you start making decisions, things will move along.

Hello Leigh! I understand your angst...I was just diagnosed with Stage1IDC on Nov. 21st, and had a lumpectomy a month ago. My radiation starts next week for 6 weeks. I did have clean margins and the one sentinel node removed was also clean. I am 57 years old and retired from teaching special education 1 1/2 years ago. This diagnosis took me for loop! I felt sorry for myself for the first 2 weeks and then snapped out of it! I realized it wasn't going to help, so I changed my emotional attitude to one that could assist in my healing. I will tell you what I do know.
1) avoid sugar!!!!!! It feeds cancer!
2) we are in a health crisis and thus we need to elevate our immune systems by increasing our anti-oxidants, let food and supplements be your medicine to assist in your treatment (not to take the place of)
3) green tea with tumeric is my morning beverage-no coffee, it's acidic
4) buy these 2 books: Crazy, Sexy Diet by Kris Carr -cancer survivor and Waking the Warrior Goddess by Christine Horner, M.D.-I promise, it will change your world!
5) Do you juice or make green smoothies? A must!
6) Only buy organic produce
7) Eat a salad everyday-(try Dr. Bragg's organic berry dressing!)
8) Need to keep your ph in an alkaline state-cancer thrives in an acidic state-make or buy alkaline water and look up foods that fall in this category
9) You can beat this!
10) Looking forward to our next chat!:)

Waiting really is brutal. I was diagnosed on Dec.3rd 2014 and went through a battery of tests, and felt like each time I was shoved back into that perpetual waiting room. Now, I had my mastectomy on the 30th and waiting once again on the final pathology report. I can say though, after surgery, I did not feel depressed by how I looked and although a smidge bummed, I still feel confident. I saw it as a hurdle and an acheivement. Each hurdle you leap over, the more confident you feel. Keep your sense of humor up, it is SO important and lean on your support system. Your family and friends are itching to help you. I try not to lean too much, because independence is important too, but allow yourself to "trust fall" into your supportive wall of love when you need it, every time. Body surf over your support and feel the waves of comfort wash over you.

Leigh, I am stage 3, lots of stinkin cancer in my nodes. So, of course had the aggressive treatment of chemo. Some ladies, with your dx, get what is referred too as chemo lite. I would assume it is still a hurdle, but easier on the body. Less infusions, no Adriamcyin. That is called the "red devil". It is red, and makes most sick.

I have 2 friends with your dx. One chose chemo lite, the other did Tamoxifien. Both are healthy & happy.

My lumpectomy was easy, I did not have any reconstruction ( tumor 1.1 cm ) I am 25 lbs thinner than when I was dx. Chemo & radiation did a number on me, still cannot eat like I used too.

Hi All. Thought I could join in? I was just diagnosed today after a core biopsy 3 days ago. My breast surgeon appt is in 13 days. Am dreading the MRI, because I tried to climb out of the neck MRI I had last year. Crazy, right? I am so happy so many are on here full of good thoughts, knowledge and advice. I cannot seem to get this off my mind for more than 10 minutes. Don't feel like sleeping or eating. And I know better. So, I plan to get some strength from all of you, if that's ok? The lack of control over this is second only to the waiting. Several times a day since this "detour in my life" began 2 weeks ago, I feel on the edge of a panic attack. Trying to keep it together in front of family, friends and co-workers. AND I FEEL FINE! just scared.

So I think I am going to ask for some help with the MRI. And hopefully I will be stronger as this journey plays out. How long are we in the MRI?