Just diagnosed, overwhelmed and scared.

wish you did not have to come here. I will tell you like it is. you will be crying a lot to the extent you cannot cry no more. you will be asking what you did wrong or why you are being punished. there is no logic when it comes to bleeping breast cancer. try not to control because it won't work. time will come that you will realize you need to get up with or without crying. why this is for you first of all. this is neither for your husband or any of your children. I cannot lie it will be a pure hell for the duration of your treatments physically and mentally. yes treatments are very expensive literally and figuratively. this is something you cannot avoid. you will face it straight bc there is only one choice which is staying alive at any cost.

was diagnised approx 2 yrs ago. spent the entire 2017 getting all the treatments and more surgeries. I still wish I did not have to do all that. looking back I realize I had to pay the price to stay alive. I appreciate my life a lot more now. I also came out super strong at the end.

I was diagnosed in March of 2017, two kids ages 10 and 12 at the time. I knew that I was going to have to come first. I got my boys into counseling, informed the school of what was going on. I put myself first because I had to. I accepted all help that was offered to me. Shock at first stayed in bed all weekend and cried, got my big girl panties on and got two opinions on everything I decided on doing. I had 6 rounds of TCHP and a year of H&P. Double Mastectomy and DIEP Flap Reconstruction. It sucked and sucked bad but you know what it does end and you will see the light at the end of the tunnel, a bit bruised and battered but it will come to an end.

Use these boards for support and education, it was a godsend for me. I went on a anti depressant and also asked for a prescription of Klonipin. Take one day at a time, get yourself a binder and keep copies of everything. After every test get a copy of your notes. You can do this - it sucks but can be done. Also, remember your mother is an 8 year survivor - keep that in mind that is wonderful news, 8 years!. Also this is the toughest part not having a plan in place, the waiting etc. I promise once you start treatment and have a plan in place you will feel better. Hugs to you!

I was recently diagnosed and start chemo tomorrow nervous but ready to fight this. There are so many tests in the beginning and they are nerve racking, a had an mri, a pet scan, a bone scan but they want to be as through as possible and they came back negative. It was so tough telling my kids 27 and 30, my 30 year old son and wife just had my first grandchild while this has been going on and I hated upsetting this wonderful time in their lives. So I’ve been emotional. There are wonderful people here who know what you’re going through so it’s the perfect place to vent. Hang in there, you are strong

My breast surgeon recommended a unilateral mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction since he knew that I wasn't going to do the implant route. He was a bit surprised I asked for a Double Mastectomy but for me that was the right decision. You will know what is right for you and what you are comfortable with.

Not sure about insurance, my husband is retired military and they cover just about everything and whatever that doesn't cover I have 9/11 WTC coverage to pick up the rest. All decisions I made, insurance never gave me a hard time, with the help of these boards you will find what your comfortable with. There are so many options, we are all lucky that we have these choices. Lumpectomy, Uni Lateral or Double Mastectomy, no reconstruction flat, Implants DIEP Flap and I am sure a couple more I haven't mentioned. Others will chime in about the insurance.