For the newly diagnosed

Thank you so much for the encouragement and the light at the end of the tunnel!

I was diagnosed on 11/05/15 with IDC and am still in the waiting/testing/meeting with countless doctors stage. It is overwhelming, scary, strength-zapping, and insane. My entire world has been flipped upside down and "normal" is a thing of the past.
I know that I will get through this....one day, one moment at a time....but hearing from someone like yourself, who has broken through to the other side is like a breath of fresh air.
Thank you so much for posting!

yes sweetie u can make it thru to those newly diagnosed i am now a 21 yr Survivor Praise God i always want to reach back n help and Inspire others. msphil(idc stage2 0\3 nodes Lmast chemo m rads n 5 yrs on tamoxifen)

Hello All,

I was diagnosed with DCIS Stage 0, grade 2 intermediate both er/pr positive. I've had two opinions from two different breast centers, their breast surgeons and plastic surgeons. Plan- Lumpectomy, sentinel node biopsy, reduction and lift all at once now scheduled for the end of next month, followed by 6 weeks of radiation and then tamoxifen for 5-10 years. I am afraid but ready to get it done. I'm worried about the lead surgeon on the team I chose. Both teams seem quite thorough and both centers are well-equipped; both have said the same about my diagnosis. The center that is the farthest away has the most renowned breast surgeon. The center closest to me has a very good plastic surgeon, a very good oncologist. The breast surgeon seems astute and well trained but has only been in the profession for 8 years, including her fellowship time and she has only been with the center since May 2015. It doesn't speak to her capabilities and she certainly laid out a good plan but I can't research her much other than her licensure, which is good and her schooling, which is good. I spoke with one of her patients who gave good reviews but she hasn't had surgery yet, just a care plan and chemo. I know length of time doesn't necessarily determine skill. I'm just wondering if I made the right choice.

Hello All, Thanks to all those with words of Hope and encouragement. Hugs, prayers and well wishes to those of us who are newly diagnosed, to those who have been fighting the good fight and those who have come out on the other side healthy.

I understand everyone is different as far as recovery from surgery and radiation treatment. But it would be helpful to me to find out how long the recovery time is before I can go back to work. It's not that I want to rush it. Far from it! I am a disabled Veteran and am currently using the VA healthcare system. Now is open enrollment at my job and I can get short term disability time off and some pay. But then I would have to pay out of pocket expenses which I cannot really afford. If I don't chose the insurance, the VA will pay for everything. But if my recovery takes longer than my 2 weeks vacation, then I don't get paid for being off and I would be forced to rush back to work probably before I am ready, willing or able. At this point I am more worried about the financial toll my cancer will cause in my life and not the actual cancer or treatments. I have the weekend, until Tuesday the 15th to opt in or out of my company insurance, which includes the loss of wages payments. By the way, I work in a grocery store and do a lot of heavy lifting. I'm sure they will let me do something less strenuous. But I'm not sure how much radiation will drain me or how my surgery will affect my range of motion. Any help or advice will be much appreciated. Thanks!

hi,

Thank you so much for those good words. My mom is just diagnosed with early stage BC. She is very scared and is thinking its the end of her life. How do i help her and motivate her for the best. I m feeling very helpless, she has always been a strong person and today she has given up. Pleaee tell me what to do?

Hi there,everyone. I have just posted over in the December surgery page but want to pop in over here.

Tomorrow is my surgery: lumpectomy with the sentinel nodes. I am currently recovering from bilateral Lepidus bunionectonies and and a Mohs treatment for a BCC on my cheek. These surgeries were planned months ago and I have 12 weeks of paid medical leave. Needless to say, the BC was NOT planned. LOL. I am squeezing in as much of my BC treatment before January 15 as I can.

The US tech, who noticed I was a bit shell shocked after the radiology MD and her fellow dropped the news that the US revealed a likely malignancy and to get dressed and schedule a biopsy, helped me onto my knee scooter and said to me, "You are not going to die from this." It's become my mantra.

A good friend, who is an inspirational speaker, shared this advice today: No Practice Bleeding. Wait for it--you can't make anything better by worrying about something that may or may not happen.

So, just realized that I might want to wear a shirt tomorrow that buttons up the front. DUH! Do I even have one?

Planet said: "So, just realized that I might want to wear a shirt tomorrow that buttons up the front. DUH! Do I even have one?"

Don't know what your surgeon has told you s/he will have you wear post-surgery, but if it is a breast binder, you can treat it as a camisole and just pop a jacket or shirt over it. That's what I did for a couple of weeks post-lumpectomy while I was doing Mammosite radiation.

Just another thought...

LisaAlissa