Just diagnosed today :(

Hugs. I did have a an MRI after my biopsy (12/31/14 What a great NYE that was!) It's more sensitive and then can be compared with the mammo to get a better idea of what's going on. Mine showed an enlarged lymph node (common after biopsies) and path was B9 on that. I have 4 kids and waited until I had all the pathology back/treatment plan before I said the C word to them (ages 21-10). How are you holding up? I was a mess--still am sometimes. Sorry you have to join us here.

I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I too was 39 at diagnosis and have 3 small children. I waited until I knew exactly what my treatment plan was before telling them. This is the hardest time right now. It does get better once you have the whole picture and have a plan of attack. MRIs are fairly standard, so don't stress over that. For now try and do something fun to take your mind off it. I know, I know: Easier said than done!

Hi KCinMN!

I had an MRI after my diagnosis. It helped give the surgeon and oncologist a clearer picture of what was going on. It suggested that my lump was bigger than the ultrasound had shown, and also that one lymph node might be compromised. That lymph node was then biopsied, and it tested positive for cancer cells. Later, that first MRI was used as a baseline for comparison with my post-chemo MRI. The second MRI showed that the lump was gone and that the lymph nodes were clear. My MO says that I will probably get an MRI once a year to make sure that I still have no evidence of disease (NED).

Good luck! I didn't tell my kids until after I had a treatment plan in place.

Hugs. I agree to wait to tell your children. A moment will arrive whereby you find the courage. If I had done it before that, I likely would have scared them because I was scared too. Once I knew my plan and felt that I was calmer (relatively) I was able to sit them down and do the toughest thing I'd ever had to do. There are lots of good resources (online and cancer center / hospital social worker or brochures) to help shape your conversation. In the meantime, focus your energy on keeping yourself on track and finding out what exactly you are facing for a treatment plan. That can't be said enough, focus on giving yourself all the loving kindness that you need to get through. It does get better. I promise. Linda

Hello KcinMn, I was just diagnosed a month ago yesterday. Time seemed to stand still that day. Being a newbie myself the only advise I can give you is , Take a deep breath, and like myself , try to understand that from now on this whole journey is done in steps. And as I'm finding out nothing can be rushed, even though we want everything done and over with it all takes time , the waiting game for test results is the worst. But you'll get through and so will I and the ladies on here have such great advice so don't be afraid to talk about anything. Xoxoxo Sandy

KCinMN- I just wanted to say welcome and I'm glad you found us, but sorry that you needed to. I was dxd 12/15/14, have had surgery, and am halfway through chemo. Without question the hardest part is the shock at the beginning, then the waiting for test results.

Having children makes it so much more complicated, but the advice you've received above up is sound. Be sure to try to be kind to yourself. You will need to pick your times and places, but fear and meltdowns are normal and this is no time to be a hero and hold it all in. Even the strongest of us will break down at times under this pressure.

Make sure you are 100% confident in your doctors, especially your oncologist. If you are not, get second opinions. These are important relationships. Change if you need to. Keep asking questions. Keep reaching out here. The support is bottomless.

As others have said, once you have plans in place you will start to feel better. Nobody ever feel good about cancer. But you can feel better than you do now.

Sorry you're having to go through this. I was diagnosed a few weeks ago. My MRI showed what I like to call "a big mess" in both of my breasts, including a tumor in the opposite breast that I just had biopsied last Thursday. I'm waiting for results on that. I was just about to turn 46 when I was diagnosed, and my children are a bit older (two girls, 15 and 19, and a foster son, 18). My youngest told me the other day that she told one of her friends who immediately encouraged her to cry and "let it out". Very sweet! My daughter said she told her friend that she didn't need to cry, and that because her mom was taking it well, so was she. Honestly I think it's helped my kids A LOT to see me being relatively calm and matter-of-fact about it. I've had my moments of self-pity, but I try very hard to save those for when I'm alone.