Just diagnosed

Hello papaska4 , another mom of four here just out of treatment for stage III with positive nodes. How old are your kids? This is doable, easier if you have a strong support system, don't be afraid to ask for help!! If you dont have a strong support system, there are lots of resources that you can take advantage of. Stick around, there are some great women here!

Hi papaska4, I'm another stage 3 (lots of postiive nodes) mum of young children. I was diagnosed 4 1/2 years ago nearly now and my two were 2 & 4 at the time. I would reiterate what Jenwith4kids says. It is doable, hard work but doable & as she says don't be proud do accept all the help offered. Also be kind to yourself in terms of your expectations about what you do for them as a mum. Mine watched more TV than normal, ate probably too many fish fingers and didn't have clean school uniform every day but came through it happy & unscathed!! My friends did a cooking rota which was fantastic as it meant I didn't have to wast energy cooking when I felt awful, I could focus it on the children instead. Good luck.

Hi Papaska, I have just been diagnosed ILC ER+ (not sure about PR+ or HER). I am also having a mastectomy on Monday. I am scared and bewildered and shocked by all this. I will not know about my lymphs until after my surgery, (but surgeon has seen suspicious nodes on US). I too expect to have chemo. I know that I will be having radiotherapy. There are lots of positive stories on here of survival. It sounds like we have a similar diagnosis at the same time. I would be keen to share future experiences and decisions with you. We need to be strong and I will be with you on this journey if you would like. I am 44 years old with 2 children aged 6 and 8.

Listen to your surgeon and medical team, but, ultimately really believe in what ever treatment path you take. That is what will get you through this. We will get through this. As my surgeon said to me. "The odds are on your side".

Papaska4 - i only had one node but they found 7 cm during lumpectomy and almost that much during mx .... like jacqueline i found the tx doable if not fun ... dh and i walked every day at least a mile though he had to hang on to my hand as i felt a bit unbalanced ... one bad side effect was i ate everything in sight ... sigh ... 11 years this month since dx .... have appt with onc to see if i can go off the arimidex ...

as others have said take it one step at a time and "keep on swimming, swimming, swimming ...."

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Sugarplum, how has your back been? Did it get better. As I was reading your post on another thread I thought that's exactly what I have been having the last three days. Something else to worry about. Oh dear.

I hope yours is better.

Artsee

faith71, we're so sorry that you joined us here... but wanted to say welcome! We're sure you'll find our community a very supportive and helpful place full of knowledge and great advice.

Warm (((HUG))),

The Mods

Faith, my mom just had her pathology report given to her last week, 22/33 Lymph nodes with cancer. It is a big number. The doctors are confident that everything was removed. She will have chemo, radiation and then some hormonal therapy. It is a lot to take in but she is looking at it from the stand point of the fact that the nodes caught the cancer, if they hadn't, who knows?

Hugs to you and to everyone going through this.

Faith, I'm so sorry you're enduring this. It was a terrible time for all of us, and we get it...the stress, fear, insomnia, shock. There were many times I cried uncontrollably in my husband's arms while he just kept saying, "we'll get through it, we're going to be fine." Well, we got through it. And we are fine. You will be, too.

As a nurse, I'm a firm believer in "better living through pharmacology." If you can't sleep because of anxiety, ask your doctor for medication that will help. Right now, restful sleep is crucial to your recovery and well-being! If you're struggling with anxiety and depression, consider an antidepressant.

You're among friends here who have all needed lots of support from time to time. We'll be your raft. Climb on and float for a while.

Faith71 you are in my thoughts. We are all here for one another and will do this journey together.

Many hugs

I was diagnosed on Sept 09 2015 but the stage was unsure, now due to mammary node involvement, the stage given to me is 3b. Node involvement is expected.

My heart sank heavily, I will be starting chemo in two weeks, I have prepared my mind for a mastectomy and reconstruction even though my breast surgeon is confident about a lumpectomy. I just want them off. My tumor is hormone receptive and I'm not sure if the chemo will shrink it that much. But I will remain positive.

Most days I have hope but today with the news about possible nodes, it just made me sad. The MO said that metastasis is likely if recurrence happens in the future.

Most of my family thinks is early stage and its not, the cancer being locally advanced hurts me to my core.

I have been thinking of my life in fragments now... its bad. How can I have some hope? its soo hard.

Hugs to you Jinx 27.. it gets a little better with time.. i'm starting on my chemo in 2 weeks (total of 12 sessions for 5.5 months).. i still weep every now & then but important thing is to stay positive and to know that our loved ones and members in this forum are always here for us.. keep the faith!

hi lil nutmeg.

Sorry you're joining us, but you will find an enormous amount of reassurance, good infor and comfort. I was dxed with stage IIIC bc, no clear margins on chest wall and 12 positive nodes. both my sentinel and axillary nodes were completely replaced. lymph and vascular invasion, etc. etc. etc. As a nurse with a who had worked in oncology, i was absolutely floored.

That was 10 and a half years ago, and I am well. This road is not an easy one, but doable. We've all been there. take one day at a time. and come here often. you are not alone. there are fantastic ladies here and all will help you get through.

Just an update that I'm into my 6th out of 8 chemo session next week and so far so good no major side effects whatsoever.. shaved my head last Saturday & got myself a mushroom bob wig.. a note to all newcomers here, things do get better with time & support from loved ones it's true!! I was a walking zombie myself just a couple of months back but now life goes on & just want to finish my treatment.. all the best to everyone here!!