Just recently diagnosed. Could use a friend.

Hi Summersday and Star111,

Thanks you both for your support. It is a trying and frustrating time especially with having to deal with all of these emotions and the dark places your mind runs to. The shock is unbelievable. As for medications, I am already on a sub-therapeutic dose of a SSRI for anxiety (the normal dose is 10 mg daily and I am on 5 mg daily). I was diagnosed with OCD and GAD at the age of 17 so I do have experience with them. I also have benzodiazepines (the lorazepams, etc.) at my disposal but I actually find they now increase my anxiety (I don't use them except when I fly as I am terrified of flying). The last time I used them back in May I was a basket case for a few days after so am weary of taking them now as I certainly don't want to make my situation worse.

It was my surgeon who seemed not to concerned. I have yet to be assigned an oncologist. I am terrified with what they will say as well.

Last night when I was preparing for my breast MRI I almost had a panic attack as I realized that this would show anything else in there as I had the gadolinium contrast. My mind went whirling to the "what if's" and I could feel the panic rush in. I luckily was able to calm down enough to go through the procedure and tried to make light of the fact that my boobs were so small that they barely entered the breast opening in the MRI machine LOL!

I REALLY appreciate hearing from you both and your kind words. It does make me feel better to know that I have the support of the women on this website outside of the support I have from my family and friends. I hope everyone has this kind of support during this type of journey.

And now for more waiting. The loss of control is the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with. Well and the terror of this diagnosis.

I will keep everyone posted.

Much love.

Sportymom

Hi,

I was recently diagnosed on June 11th. I too can use a friend. I have a great support system from friends and family, but they can not quite relate to what I am feeling. I am a planner and really like to have plans in place. I know it's only been 5 days since I have received the news, but I want it handled now! Patience has never been a virtue of mine.

I can relate. I was diagnosed May 20 and it’s been a wild ride. I have had two biopsies, met with surgeon, oncologist, nurse navigator, did genetic testing and met with reconstruction surgeon to help me decide my plan. I too am very impatient but finding comfort in reading about breast cancer. I’m trying to decide between lumpectomy and mastectomy. My surgery will be scheduled next week. I have a family history... my mom, aunt and Gma all had breast cancer. I want to do mastectomy but struggle with the unknown of what it will be like without my “girls”.

You have time...take a breath and look at your options.

Well if it helps at all I had a single side mastectomy with DIEP reconstruction. My reconstructed side looks just like my real side, all the tissue and skin is mine from my abdominal area.

Star, you have been on my mind a lot lately. I hope your recovery from surgery is going well! And hoping you have your results from pathology back by now.

I had my MRI last Sunday and I got the report Tuesday. The radiologist stated in the report what he saw was suspicious for ductal carcinoma. Now I'm heading back for the second look mammo and US. Hoping they can see it clearly, now that they know where to look, so I don't need the MRI guided biopsy. It is surprising to me how similar your diagnostic process was to what I am experiencing. The main difference is the reduced waiting I am experiencing compared to what you had. I know for a fact I would not have already had the MRI that showed the area of concern if you had not shared your experience. It gave me the confidence to reiterate my concerns when the BS was talking about waiting and rechecking in 6 months. They were surprised by the results of the MRI, and were glad we had gone ahead with it now, not later. I truly wish you were close by so I could give you a giant hug!

You are in my thoughts and I truly hope everything is going as well as it possibly can for you right now.

Carissa

Welcome Blue456 to the club that nobody asks to join but you are in good company with a lot of advice and support . I was diagnosed with DCIS on March 6th and then IDC on March 19th. I had lumpectomy on April 4th, radiation starting on May 16th. You will do fine. The best advice I can give-ONE DAY AT A TIME. I'm a planner and this was completely foreign to me but it was the best thing I could have done. Don't look at things that haven't happened yet. Take each step as it come. Good luck to

dear star 111 I have No regrets that my diagnosis was during planning our wedding it All became clear that it was to be here to Inspire you and others. Being a long time Survivor of 25yrs this year is My purpose to be on this earth. I feel so humbled to be here to Inspire others to keep Hope. God Bless msphil idc stage2 3mo chemo before and after Lmast was thinking lumpectomy first going into a new marriage But got a great husband who inspire me to go for mastectomy. Got married then 7wks rads and 5yrs on Tamoxifen.