Newly diagnosed and full of thoughts and questions

Hi Chenye, and welcome to Breastcancer.org!

We're so very sorry to hear of your diagnosis, along with the devastation your part of the country has seen!

You're sure to receive great support here, so please come back often, ask lots of questions, and get the support you need. We're all here for you!

We're sending positive thoughts your way for a clear treatment path and quick recovery.

--The Mods

Welcome to the Unfun Club, Cheyne. Try not to think of the various tests as contradicting each other, but that each is a part of the picture that will give your doctors and you the most information. Even during and after surgery, more information will appear via the dye that's injected and then pathology. Pre-surgery, the information and visuals are for your surgeon. After, it's for the medical oncologist, and, if necessary, the radiation oncologist.

Hello Chenye. I am also newly diagnosed as of early Feb. Diagnosis came as a complete shock. No lumps felt, no family history, etc. Just being older and female is enough, I am told. I have opted for lumpectomy , have already met with a surgeon. I have to make a decision about how I want radiation. I have the option for IORT, where radiation is given at time of surgery. This saves me from going for 5 weeks daily radiation. There is a 2% lower success rate over 5 years, however, so wondering what route to take. Will meet with radiation oncologist early March. I am happy that things are moving along very fast. Also have a high deductible insurance plan that puts an added burden on finances. I do wish you luck with your insurance issues. You will do best to take things one day at a time, and hopefully make the proper choices for treatment. God Bless.

Hi fellow New Yorkers. I’m a native of upstate and live in Bennington, VT now.

As for double, if you have had no other issues and nothing is seen in any testing, it really is up to you. I went the double route only because I already had two biopsies on the non cancerous side so why tempt fate. My doctors supported all available options and really gave me lots of information so I could feel good about my choice.

Good luck and let us know what we can do to help

hi Chenye, I've just had a double mastectomy 5 weeks ago . I my left breast was the one with cancer but after a lot of soul searching and speaking to some people I knew, I decided to take the right breast off also.Everyone is different , I'm 59 years old , slim build and fit... I work in women's fashion... so I'm surrounded by women and clothing along with body images to top it all off ! I'm not sure if I'm going to go through with a reconstruction yet ... I want to give my body time to heal properly. I find doctors try to push you into making life changing decisions too quickly .... If you need time to think about wether to do both breasts or not .... Take your time , talk to women that have been through it , you DO have time . I spoke to a friend who was in the same situation as yourself, she said she regretted not doing both breasts, as she stiil has yearly scans on her remaining breast, as I said, we are all different, I'm glad I gave myself 2 months to decide. Hope this helps