Can’t handle all the waiting

Hey wity-pity,

I think many of us who were diagnosed at relatively younger ages have similar stories. My doctor found a lump, and sent me for further exams 'just in case.' Thank goodness our doctors were prudent!

I will say that early stage cancer turned out to be much more manageable so far than I ever expected. The hardest part was the beginning, waiting for all the test results, and then waiting for more. But this board has been an incredible support.

This part is so hard. Do what you need to get through. Therapy? Ativan? Exercise? Rest? Vacation? Work? Whatever helps you through the day.

One thing I wish I understood better at the beginning was how incredibly unlikely it was that I would have metastasis (when the lump was discovered without any other symptoms and still pretty small) and how good the prognostic rates are for early stage cancer.

It will be a tough haul, if it is cancer, but you will find your equilibrium and get through. You are not doing this 'to' your daughters, there are so many things in life we can't control and cancer is definitely one of them! You can set them an example of how one can face something scary, act through the fear, and stay loving and open. That can be a precious gift too.

oh yes I am 68 years old

I was 35..... I didn't take my own family history seriously enough (mother, grandmother) and didn't expect to have a mammogram until 40. I was shocked when a doctor found a little bump on me. It will throw your world askew for awhile.

But you can't do anything now but wait and see what information you get... at least your results seem quite quick. I had to wait 18 days between my mammogram and biopsy. Hell. Keep us posted. It may not be as bad as you think, however the mind sure does like to wander. I definitely imagined worst case scenarios etc.

I’m praying for you wity. When will results come in

That's basically my stats! Do you know your hormone receptors? That will make a big impact for treatment.

For me the next step was to meet with a surgical oncologist at a Cancer Center in my city. It was a bit of legwork to get all my test results to her and also I had to wait almost two weeks for the appointment because I preferred a female doctor. That's great that you only have to wait a week.

At that appointment, she was like the gateway doctor - she spent a lot of time explaining the diagnosis to me and the most likely treatment and prognoses. She recommended a lumpectomy+radiation for me, and said that the survival outcomes are statistically slightly more favorable with L+R in a case like mine than with mastectomy. For me that was a huge relief - but different women have different feelings. If I had been interested in a mastectomy she would have explored that option with me too.

Hi Wity-Pity and welcome. I am older than you (59) but with similar stats. The initial diagnosis was the worst for me - so shocking! But I found a great surgeon, had a lumpectomy, then radiation (very light side effects) then Tamoxifen. Please do ask us any questions! We are all here to help. In my case BC ruined six months of my life, but then I came out the other side and feel fine now. So hang in there and try to take it one step at a time. Sending you best wishes.

If mine is the big BC I am going all out War. but I am 68 don't use them anyway and tired of the weight. Keep fighting everyone.. God Bless to all of you.