Appt with surgeon next week

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annlat
annlat Member Posts: 30
edited January 2021 in Just Diagnosed

Well, it's been a week since I got the diagnosis of IDC/ DCIS. I have met my nurse navigator by phone and she seems really great. I will meet the surgeon on Tues. I am not very worried, but I have kind of put it in the back of my brain this week. I have only told a few people. I think I need to tell a some more, so it will be more real and get me prepared. It's been rather surreal up till now. I'm not keeping it secret, I just don't want anyone to worry about me or get "that face" when they see me. I'm not comfortable being the center of attention. The act of telling people about my cancer is very hard for me. I'm not sure why. Maybe because I'm so independent. But I need to be able to talk about it if I need to. And I know I have friends that can help me with things if I need it.

This site is great, and I have learned so much with all of my reading. I'm sure I will have more to read after I talk to the surgeon. My sister will be able to listen to his consult with me by phone. I'm glad she can do that...she's not medical and usually turns to me to explain stuff. She said she wouldn't know what questions to ask, but I'm sure she will listen carefully. She will be coming to my house to help when the time comes. I am ready to get this show on the road!


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  • LW422
    LW422 Member Posts: 1,312
    edited January 2021

    Hello there and I'm sorry to hear of your diagnosis. Unfortunately I was diagnosed this week so I know exactly what you mean with all these "feelings". I haven't been able to tell anyone, not even my grown children. I guess I want to feel like things are "normal" for as long as I can.

    My very best wishes to you.

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  • LivinLife
    LivinLife Member Posts: 1,332
    edited January 2021

    Glad you're comfortable with the nurse navigator thus far. You'll likely be communicating with her a lot, at least initially... I hope the appointment with the surgeon goes well and you are quite comfortable with them. Please let us know how that goes. Do you have an appointment with your M.O. yet? Not everyone does, until after surgery even.... You get to pick who and when you share this with others, as well as how much you share. It sounds like you're just trying to take it all in now, keeping things simpler while also settling into the idea of needing support as things unfold too..... just be where you are.....

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  • annlat
    annlat Member Posts: 30
    edited January 2021

    Thanks, lw422 and LivinLife. It is true that I haven't completely wrapped my head around this. The surgeon that I will see on Tues is highly recommended by everyone, including fellow healthcare workers, so I feel good about that. I have seen him once in the past after a melanoma removal. I was told that I would see an RO and MO, but MO may be after surgery. I'm just feeling kind of alone in all of this, and I know I'm not. I'm sorry for all of you going through this. And I hate it for my sister having to worry about me because we have been best friends our entire life. I need to find something to do out of the house today, just to not think so much.

    Waiting for Tuesday......

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  • annlat
    annlat Member Posts: 30
    edited January 2021

    I met with my surgeon yesterday. He explained everything in detail to me (and my sister by phone). The plan is for a lumpectomy and removal of sentinal nodes. Depending on the findings, after surgery I will have 6 wks of radiation. Chemo may/may not be needed. I will be taking an aramotase inhibitor for 5 yrs. He measured my tumor at <2cm. It is very ER+, PR-, HER 2 neg. I am glad to have this information and maybe now we can get on with all of this! I hate having surgery, but it is an outpatient surgery. My sister will be coming from out of state to help me. I guess there are some things that won't be known until pathology is done post surgery. But I'm feeling ok with everything at this point. I really like my surgeon (he is the chief of surgical oncology), nurse navigator, and everyone at the office. I am waiting for a call to schedule surgery and I think I will meet with radiation oncology sometime pre-op. Thank you to everyone and prayers to all!

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  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited January 2021

    If you have a lumpectomy, you'll go home the same day. At the hospital where I had mine, they sent me home in a tight, firm surgical bra to hold everything in place and that I had to wear for 48 hours. After that, I used a sport bra with firm inserts, and I used a soft child's sock rolled up next to the incision, to add a little extra pressure. I wore the sports bras and socks 24/7 for about 3 weeks, and my surgeon was thrilled at the tiny amount of swelling I had. I don't remember any restrictions except not lifting anything heavier than a gallon of milk for a while. It didn't hurt much, less than having a tooth removed.

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  • 2019whatayear
    2019whatayear Member Posts: 767
    edited January 2021

    you can tell or not tell whomever you like. You can even tell a couple of people and let them know they can tell other people for you. In my experience telling people was emotionally exhausting as you may find yourself having to reassure other people you are going to be OK.

    Since your sister is going to be helping you she can be your secretary :-)


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  • LivinLife
    LivinLife Member Posts: 1,332
    edited January 2021

    I'm glad you're comfortable with your team thus far - so important! I'm glad your emotions are starting to settle a bit too though it's normal to have some anxiety/stress with all of this of course. It really is overwhelming if you have a lot of people asking questions or feel the need to update people regularly etc. Within the 1st few days I couldn't stand it lol so I signed up on Caring Bridge. I put all my updates on there, people could post responses or not, ask questions or not and I didn't have to repeat myself....it was the repeating that really was the worst for me... The site was sooooo awesome... I used it right after diagnosis in late July up through about week 6 or 7.... wasn't much to write at all after about week 3 really other than updates on how I was feeling.. It is nice to know so many people care though each of them kind of thinks they are the only one asking - not really though you know what I mean.... they don't realize how overwhelming the well intentioned bombardment is unless they've been through something (like this). I'm basically an introvert too so like a lot of quiet and it was too much love and kindness lol

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