Wait....I have cancer?

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Rhiannon061
Rhiannon061 Member Posts: 22
edited May 2018 in Just Diagnosed

Hey all, I’m a 34 year old mother of 2 teenagers and a 1 yr old. Just diagnosed a week ago with breast cancer with clear nodes. Don’t know what stage as I was completely shocked and didn’t ask questions except “What next?”. So I’ll be meeting with my surgeon on Tuesday May 15th to see what’s the plan. Not too familiar with the medical terminologies so don’t mind if I have questions plz. Anyway, I feel like my life is on pause now, I’m on an emotional roller coaster feeling isolated and my mind is my worst enemy. All this stress is going to make it hard for me to quit smoking too. Everyday since my diagnosis has been surreal I even questioned if I heard the doctor correctly (silly me!) I know these feelings will pass. It’s just hard trying to put up this front like I’m ok when I really just want to scream “Why?! Why me?!

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  • Kanga_Roo
    Kanga_Roo Member Posts: 333
    edited May 2018

    Oh Rhiannon, so sorry you find yourself joining our community. Its a terrible shock when first diagnosed and I suppose everyone reacts differently.

    Initially I found antidepressants helped me get through the day and sleep at night.

    I found that once my oncologist had a plan in place I felt more in control, and able to see the bigger picture.

    For all of us, we are living in times when the big C isn't automatically fatal. There are so many treatments out there. I was recently diagnosed with Stage IV, have been on the Kisqali/femara treatment and my cancer has halved within a few months.

    You will find all sorts of inspirational stories and helpful people on this site, so whenever you have a query there will be someone who knows what you need or are going through.

    Big hugs and thinking of you as you wait for your results

    Jackie


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  • Rhiannon061
    Rhiannon061 Member Posts: 22
    edited May 2018

    Thanks so much Jackie, so glad to have found this forum and to know I’m not alone. It makes this journey I’m/we’re about to embark on a little less scary. It’s been hard to focus at work as I’m struggling with how I will tell my manager. I’ve been quite fatigued over the past few months prior to my diagnosis and it’s affected my performance. I just don’t want people to pity or feel sorry for me. I also decided not to tell my older kids at least until I have a surgery date set. My daughter will be graduating high school next week and id like to keep things on a happy note for now. Any advice on how to break the news to work and kids

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited May 2018

    Keep us posted. We care, and you'll find a lot of good support and comfort/reassurance here.

    Hugs,

    Claire in AZ

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  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 4,800
    edited May 2018

    Rhiannon - sorry you find yourself here. You'll get different responses on the 'how to tell people' question. It's a question that comes up frequently. I'm a tell everyone and tell fast person. My adult kids knew I was going through testing beforehand so they knew all about the diagnostic mammos and that the radiologist 'didn't like how things looked' and the biopsy and dh & I told them as soon as I we got the biopsy results. We told a couple relatives and asked them to spread the word in our extended families. I told a couple friends and again told them to spread the word among our circles. I also put it on social media. I personally saw no reason to keep it from anyone. I was in school just days before final exams when I got the diagnosis & I told my profs as well.

    fwiw, my kids would have been very hurt if I kept this from them, and I as an adult child would be disappointed if my parents didn't share info with us quickly. Other families are different.

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  • Rhiannon061
    Rhiannon061 Member Posts: 22
    edited May 2018

    Thanks for the advice and input moth, and Happy Mothers Day to all the mamas out there

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  • msphil
    msphil Member Posts: 1,536
    edited May 2018

    hello sweetie i had to get Ambien for my diagnosis to sleep but once treatment plan is set things start to ease up little. i was planning our 2nd wedding when I found the lump in shower idc stage2 0\3nodes 3mo chemo before and after Lmast got married then 7wks of rads then 5yrs on Tamoxifen. Praise God 24yr Survivor this yr. Hang in there.

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