Telling People You Have Breast Cancer

Girl53
Girl53 Member Posts: 225
edited October 2015 in Just Diagnosed

Ladies: Just dx'd Monday and still numb....This is going to take a while to sink in. Told my boss and a couple of others at work yesterday, and discovered something that surprised me. No one seemed surprised by news...except me. Maybe when you're in midlife -- I'm 53 -- people recognize that this kind of thing starts happening. They know others it's happened to. But when it's YOU, it's like this: "How could this be happening to young, healthy me? There's nothing wrong with me. I'm not vulnerable or compromised. I don't have a serious disease." Seems like it's going to be hard to hit a balance between acceptance of reality and confidence in good treatment and the body's ability to cope and rebound.

I read on another post that, as new dx-ers, we'll feel so many emotions at once...maybe okay one minute and kind of falling apart the next. True for me so far. Luckily, the weather where I live is gorgeous and sparkling this week. Must be a good sign.

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  • Skittlegirl
    Skittlegirl Member Posts: 428
    edited September 2015

    Ugh, getting the official diagnosis sucks. I am sorry.

    When my OB/GYN called she warned me it would probably sink in over the weekend (it was a Friday afternoon). I was prepared for it because I had seen my BIRAD score earlier and knew it wasn't looking good for benign.

    Telling people is hard because there is that shock since I am only 32. But everyone cares so much that it is nice to have that support .

    Good luck processing all the emotions that come and we're here for you to vent away.

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  • Girl53
    Girl53 Member Posts: 225
    edited September 2015

    Skittle: Sorry you have to be here, too, but good to meet you. I like hearing how nice it is for you to see people's caring: that is wonderful! I, too, have a wonderful family and friends, and my husband is nothing short of awesome. It IS plain to see one's blessings in this situation, isn't it?

    Also easy to see how different the experiences of members here are, though most of us have a BC diagnosis. Our varying ages and life experiences, for example. My fabulous late husband was diagnosed with his brain tumor at age 7 and died at 43...he lived with it almost his whole life and died what most people would consider young. So I was always in a situation where people were surprised that he had cancer. This feels so different for me years and years later. I am trying to think of this as "green and growing."

    Will be thinking of you today and following your progress. With hugs.

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  • msphil
    msphil Member Posts: 1,536
    edited September 2015

    we r here for u to vent, most of us know your feelin, i was 42, n planning my 2nd wedding, but support is plentiful here, i am a21yr Survivor, who is here to Inspire n give Hope, Praise God, im still here for those goin thru.ms phil(idc,stage 2, 0-3 nodes, Lmast, chemo, rads n 5yrs on tamoxifen)

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  • Smurfette26
    Smurfette26 Member Posts: 730
    edited October 2015

    I have found telling people very difficult. For me it was so emotionally draining. Most of those closest to me know now but still have a couple of calls to make. Having said that; the love, caring and support I have received has been amazing and I appreciate it so much. To know I am loved by so many is uplifting and makes me feel so very grateful for all the special people in my life. Hope everyone else is feeling the love too. xx

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