Just got diagnosed

Oh goodness, I'm so sorry. I'm still fairly new to this ordeal, so I won't try to offer much advice, just empathy. You are possibly stunned and may feel shock for a while. This is a wonderful place to vent all your emotions, even though they may not seem to make sense. I was very angry at the people telling me I absolutely had to have a positive attitude. I'm normally a very kind person, but I wanted to tell everyone where to go with their positive attitude nonsense.

It's good that your lymph nodes are clear and your tumor is small. Do you trust the doctor who diagnosed you? Have you gotten a copy of your pathology report? These are some things to consider. I'm sure others will be along soon to offer simple advice and steps to take. Again, I'm sorry this is happening

That "be positive " business is a load of crap. Sure, it would be great to be unconcerned and happy, but it's very unlikely to happen at this stage of your journey. Being positive comes later, IMO. Right now, you're probably somewhere between "keeping your head above water" and "oh God. I'm drowning." This, too, shall pass...eventually.

Now is the time to be kind to yourself. Engagng your hands in something will engage your brain and limit perseverating on your situation. Watch positive things on TV, like HGTV, Food Channel, or Little House on the Prairie (not even kidding.) Bake, quilt, clean, garden, sew, or scrapbook--things you have to think about. Nothing repetitive that will put you in Zen mode. Once you get a plan in place you will probably feel better, more in control.

For right now just hang in there. The next year will be hard, but you WILL get through this.

I too was diagnosed on 8/15.

It all feels so surreal.

I'm just going to take this one step at a time. We can do this.

Georgette and MzPriss,

It certainly is overwhelming and hard to stay positive. I just started this road myself on 7/27. You always know there is a chance, but never think it will actually ever happen to you. That said, its not been easy. I spent the whole weekend when I heard the word, alternating between crying jags and total numbness and just forcing myself to go through the motions. My family was away, so I dealt with this myself. I have three kids, those are who I thought of the most. of not wanting to leave them. For me that gave me the push to pull myself together somewhat. It is difficult, it is a major change as Brightness said, but from coming on here and reading new and old posts you see that women get through and go on. Hold on to that. Each person is different in how they handle things, go through things and come out of it. There is plenty of bad things to read out on the internet etc., even some sad stories on here, but you have to try to remember that those and there are thousands of those, that go through this, move on and don't post their stories anymore. They have continued on with their lives. Hold on and plan on being one of those...that goes through, gets through, and moves on.

Let us know how it goes. Hugs...

Georgett, once you have your PET scan, you should meet with a medical oncologist to discuss treatment options while you consider the surgical options. There are times these days when neo-adjuvant chemo (before surgery) is recommended, and you'll understand better if that would benefit you by discussing your specific case with an MO. You have time to do that before the 7th. Did your surgeon give you referrals?

Do NOT let the doctor talk you into not getting a second opinion. I got four and I am glad I did. It's not necessarily whether you have cancer, but even that I would get a second opinion. Usually, the other doctor sends your slides to be tested to whatever lab they use. I was talking to a woman the other day who was told she had cancer and she had a bunch of surgery and it was determined she didn't have it. Not breast cancer. I am not trying to stress you out. But if you want a second opinion, get one. DON'T worry about hurting some doctor's feelings. This is YOUR body. The one thing I have learned thoughout this ordeal is that you have to be your own advocate.

This has been moving fast for me as well. I found lump on Wed, at dr Thursday, immediately sent for mammo, ultra then immediate biopsy. They were very blunt and have not given any false hopes. Approx 1.3 cm. Mom, aunt and grandmother all have history. Pathology will be back on Tuesday. In the meantime I have been trying to stay calm, but it's hard.