Need encouragement from some who have been there and overcome

Im a one year survivor but everyone i know personally and theres quite a few in my network that have had BC including stage 3 are all ok 7 and 10 and even 20 years later ... Ofcourse there is a few like 2 that did lose the battle but it was meant to happen that way sadly... Dont forget that no one knows the future.. Do what your doctors say and move fwd ...ull be fine once treatment gets in place and as time passes... Best of luck to you

Right now, just stick close to that little boy and remember to breathe. Once you see the doctors and figure out what to do, it will be easier. For now, do whatever takes your mind off what you learned yesterday, stay away from Dr. Google, enjoy a walk to the park or a funny movie or watching that sweet boy play, and remember to breathe. Sending good wishes your way.

Laratee-- Take some deep breaths . . . and calm down. Like you, my 1.6 cm tumor was caught early, and am fine 3+ years later. Yes, I said "luckily"--a 1.6 cm tumor size is classified as an early catch! While 1.6 cm may seem large to you, 1.6 cm is a little more than 1/2 an inch (2.53cm=1 inch; there are many women on these boards with IDC sizes of 3 to 6 cm. The pathology report from your biopsy should also tell you about more than size, like the ER/PR/HER2 status (grade is only determined by the pathology done on the surgically removed tumor).

And don't beat yourself up about the length of time since your last mammogram--I had let 22 months elapse between mammos, and the tumor showed up in that space. But the delayed mammo was just water over the dam and there was nothing I or anyone could do about the lapse--the only thing to do was to treat the bc expeditiously.

Laratee, it's because they love you and are worried. Your family & friends can feel pretty helpless. As the patient, you're (somewhat) in control. There will be a lot of decisions to make but in my experience it gets a little easier once you have a plan in place.

Initially, I told three people about my dx: my husband, my mom, and my boss to approve the time off work. Everyone else found out two weeks after my first chemo when I lost my hair and decided to go commando (no wig no scarf). When people wanted to tell me their cancer stories and I'd stop them and say, does this story have a happy ending? If not, don't tell me. I'm only hearing happy stories right now. ((hugs))

(((hugs))) Laratee! After I told my mom about the diagnosis she said, "You're gonna be alright. . .you might have to go through some things to get there, but you are going to be alright!" Same to you dear. You will find so much acceptance and comfort here at BCO in these early days. No question is "dumb" and you can vent til the cows come home. We will even share our stories of how we told our children - my 5 year old made a "Rad Chain" out of construction paper and was eager to tear off a chain link each day I tackled another radiation treatment. Oh, bc sure does suck, but you are in great company to help you get to your "alright". As others have said, breeeeaaaattthe. Merrell

Welcome Laratee, sorry you have to be here, but it is really a great place to be! I ignored a lump for 2.5 years after a doc felt it and said it was fibroid cystic. I was too busy making money and was afraid to slow down. I kept telling myself it was my lumpy boob again, but that lump didn't go away. I finally slowed down at work and went knowing it wouldn't be good. I just told myself that at least I'm taking action. I didn't think I would see Christmas, but my BS smiled and told me I wasn't getting off that easy, get ready to go shopping! My doctors were all very optimistic and I am still considered early stage. It's been just over two years since my first surgery and my doctors say I'm doing great. I feel great and I'm so glad I went when I did. If your lump is less then 2 cm you're only stage one (no nodes affected). Whatever the final stage is, they have a plan for you to "fix it".

Take a deep breath and if you need to sleep at night, get your doc to order you some anti anxiety meds. They really relax you, you need your sleep!

Lost daughter,

To read about other Stage IV women's experiences you might go to the Forum that is especially for women with Stage IV and early stages with mets. https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/8 For support for you, there is a Stage IV family/caretaker forum: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/144.

I would strongly urge your mother to join this website to get the support that she needs from others who really "get it."

*susan*

Laratee, my IDC breast cancer was discovered last summer 2015. I had been a bit blasé about getting mammograms, myself. I mean, I got them but just not as regularly as I should have. However, I did get a mammogram in 2014, so I wasn't altogether negligent. The mass in my right breast was high, almost under my arm. It was 1.8cm, so clearly it had been there a while. I think it probably had been their a couple years and just wasn't captured on any of the previous mammograms. Thankfully, the MRI showed no other tumors and estimated the mass to be about the same size as the mammogram did. I had prophylactic BMX, due to gene mutations (otherwise I wouold have stuck to the lumpectomy.) Upon examination of the breast tissue submitted to the lab, no other tumors were found, and nothing found near the previous lumpectomy site.

I think it is pretty normal for us to feel fearful and anxious about the future. However, keep in mind, these early cancers are about 95% curable with treatment. Hopefully, you will only require a Lumpectomy, radiation, and hormone suppression. If you need chemo, well, then you do. I did and I have to tell you, it wasn't fun but it wasn't the worst thing that ever happened to me. My hair fell out but it's growing back in beautifully. My case was a little more dramatic, due to needing the BMX, but most women sail through LX and radiation without too many complications. My sister did.

Best of luck to you and try to take things one day at a time. There is no use borrowing worry from the future. You may be grieving something that will never happen and think of the time wasted, time that you could spend on your son. Best of luck to you and try to take things one day at a time.

sweetie we know how u feel most of us been there i am a 22yr Survivor this yrPraise God all while planning our 2nd wedding Positive thoughts n speaking it helped me along with HOPE. idc stsge2 0\3 nodes Lmast chemo and rads n 5 yrs on tamoxifen.

Hi there! I was 38 when I was diagnosed so had never had a mammogram. I found my 7 cm (YES centimeters!!) lump myself and then was shocked it could be there. It had spread to my lymph nodes. I had chemo before surgery to shrink the lump, a lumpectomy and axillary node dissection, radiation, an oophorectomy ,and now take anti hormonal meds. I was diagnosed in Sept 2014 and am still here today to tell my story! Hang in there. Take it one moment at a time and try not to let your mind run wild. You will have great moments and scary moments but know they are all just moments and nothing at all is permanent. Just breath!