Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast CancerSo sorry you have to join our group BUT we are a very strong group of people. I am glad you found us please stay in touch. I finished active treatment a year ago. I just had a bi lat mastectomy a week ago. It has not been as bad as I expected. It is a crazy time either take a spouse, sister,...
So sorry you have to join our group BUT we are a very strong group of people. I am glad you found us please stay in touch. I finished active treatment a year ago. I just had a bi lat mastectomy a week ago. It has not been as bad as I expected. It is a crazy time either take a spouse, sister, friend, etc with you to every appointment to help you listen and ask questions. God bless you on your journey reach out whenever you need us.
Hi Blanca, I had the same reaction. From the time the surgeon looked down at me as he bandaged my biopsy site and told me he was almost positive it was cancer, I felt like I woke up in someone elses' reality. I became a calm observer-it was almost a spiritual out of body exsperience. In some way...
Hi Blanca, I had the same reaction. From the time the surgeon looked down at me as he bandaged my biopsy site and told me he was almost positive it was cancer, I felt like I woke up in someone elses' reality. I became a calm observer-it was almost a spiritual out of body exsperience. In some way I feel like it was a strange way of my mind trying to protect me or a gift from God to get me through the shock. After my surgery, things began to sort themselves out with my medical team and that weird feeling became a part of the history of my journey. This numb foreign feeling will pass as you work with your team to plan your way back to health. Take heart and know there are many women whose hearts go out to you tonight. Welcome to the beginning of your journey to wellness. :-D Jo
Asked by anonymous
Stage 2A PatientI understand exactly how you feel because I felt the same way. Once I got through the shock, I focused on treatment. I read as much as I could about my options and leaned on my husband and great friends. I learned a lot about myself through the experience. I am through all treatments and moving...
I understand exactly how you feel because I felt the same way. Once I got through the shock, I focused on treatment. I read as much as I could about my options and leaned on my husband and great friends. I learned a lot about myself through the experience. I am through all treatments and moving on with my life. My advice would be to take very good care of yourself through everything. Best of luck to you and keep us posted. God bless you.
Can't quite get you off my mind tonight. I am a member of a facebook group called We Are Sisters that has been a tremendous help. We started the group right after two women randomly walked me through my first few days of shock finding out I had cancer. I am so thankful for them all, and...
Can't quite get you off my mind tonight. I am a member of a facebook group called We Are Sisters that has been a tremendous help. We started the group right after two women randomly walked me through my first few days of shock finding out I had cancer. I am so thankful for them all, and encourage you to join us and ask questions there. It is hard to even know what questions to ask at this point. But I do know the random spinning that your head must be going through. My first day was shock and I was strong. The second day my face kept leaking, even though I didn't break down. The third day, I found myself alone at home and couldn't take it. I went to a bar and "celebrated" boobies. Was not one of my finer moments. The next day I "ran away from home", which ... I kept my family informed of where I was the whole time, but I just felt I needed to get away. The following day, I hid like a hermit and decided I was not fit for public consumption. Finally, I had the day come around that I admitted to myself and my husband that I was ready to comply with whatever was demanded of me. This journey you are about to embark upon is not just a physical challenge. It is an emotional rollercoaster. Know that however you feel is okay. Become selfish for the first time in your life. Start removing all negativity from your life now. Protect yourself from stress and drama. Know that we are out here to embrace you on your sleepless nights. I am having one of those tonight. I used to be sad for people who found out they had cancer. Now it breaks my heart with every new diagnosis. This is not easy, but it is doable. I have so many cool suggestions of things I did to help me through surgery and recovery that I would love to share with you when you are ready. I don't come on this site often, but will try to follow up on you. I want to know how you are doing.
Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast CancerFirst of all I would like to say I am really sorry you have to go through something like this. But when you get hit by something of this magnitude it is best to look for the positive aspects of life. For one, it helps me to know that I somehow bring a light of hope to many, even if it's just a...
First of all I would like to say I am really sorry you have to go through something like this. But when you get hit by something of this magnitude it is best to look for the positive aspects of life. For one, it helps me to know that I somehow bring a light of hope to many, even if it's just a dim one. I am 24 yo and was dx Sept. 2011. I decided to have a double mastectomy, just finished 6 rounds of tax/carbo, and will begin radiation next week. I had some time to grieve my breasts, that would suddenly be removed from me when I was just beginning to admire them. I had time to sit down and throw away my plans, or at least put some on pause for a while. Even with my grieving I still have episodes where I just break down and have a total pity party. It is all normal!!! I truly believe that things happen to us for a reason. We all are instruments of the Lord and I trust that he will show me where my next path will lead me. I have experienced more blessings in my life now than ever. Or it might just have been that I never stopped to realize how blessed I always was. Find the strength you need in your children, they will need a happy, healthy mom. Remember that you are never alone in this battle. You will come out the other side victorious and more beautiful than ever. We are all together in this and together we will triumph. Wish you the best.
My advice, don't be afraid to ask for help or accept help. You can't do all of this alone. Don't try to be the super star and do everything you did before. I'm sorry you have to do this. You should do a journal!
Comment 4Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast CancerHi Josephine, I, too, had the same diagnosis. Each and every woman's breast cancer treatment depends on the type of breast cancer, the woman's age, stage, aggressiveness of the cells, surgery chosen, and the woman desires. Some women would choose to have every bit of treatment available to...
Hi Josephine, I, too, had the same diagnosis. Each and every woman's breast cancer treatment depends on the type of breast cancer, the woman's age, stage, aggressiveness of the cells, surgery chosen, and the woman desires. Some women would choose to have every bit of treatment available to her even if the odds of benefit are very small. My treatment, because of all the above factors was not, what I would call particularly aggressive. I had a mastectomy, 4 rounds of chemotherapy and 5 years of hormone therapy. I have very close and watchful appointments with my oncologist, an annual mammogram, and an annual MRI. I was diagnosed at 59 with invasive ductal carcinoma and one microscopic involvment of a lymph node. I can't really say how aggressive your treatment will be because there are several pieces of the diagnostic puzzle missing. It sounds like your breast cancer was caught at an early stage. If you have questions about your treatment plan... do not hesitate to get a second opinion. You will be ok, and come through this all in fine shape. Hang in there Josephine.... we, on this board are always here for each other. Blessings to you and take care, Sharon
Your doctors will decide your treatment plan. God Bless you on your journey.
Comment 0Asked by anonymous
Survivor since 2012I am so very sorry for you . Hopefully you will find comfort from reading in the Bible John 5:28,29. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Comment 2Dear Jo my heart goes out to you and your family. I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Comment 1Asked by anonymous
Stage 2A PatientI'm so sorry Hun. Since I just went through this last week. My Oncotype score was 10 in my case so is was relieved that I did not have to do chemo. Or should I say, I opted out of chemo. Never the less I was very prepared to do the chemo! I am willing to to whatever it takes. I started tamoxifen...
I'm so sorry Hun. Since I just went through this last week. My Oncotype score was 10 in my case so is was relieved that I did not have to do chemo. Or should I say, I opted out of chemo. Never the less I was very prepared to do the chemo! I am willing to to whatever it takes. I started tamoxifen last week and will start radiation in the next 2 weeks. Big Hugs to You!!! Stay strong.
You'll be ok. Surround yourself with people that love you. You have a large group of us to help and support you through the entire process. We ALL know how you are feeling and what you are going through.
Comment 0Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast CancerI am triple neg too. Stage 2 grade 3, 3.5 cm tumor. My treatment plan is neoadjuvant chemo (chemo before surgery to shrink tumor) then surgery and then radiation. I'm half way through chemo now (TAC). I'm 38. The whole thing has been scary and overwhelming but I look at it as an...
I am triple neg too. Stage 2 grade 3, 3.5 cm tumor. My treatment plan is neoadjuvant chemo (chemo before surgery to shrink tumor) then surgery and then radiation. I'm half way through chemo now (TAC). I'm 38. The whole thing has been scary and overwhelming but I look at it as an inconvenience, not a death sentence. I'll get through this, and so will you!!! This is a great resource for support and any questions that arise... We'll help in any way we can. Some of the best advise I've gotten is to stay hydrated and to stay positive! :) Julie
You have earned the right to be confused, scared and overwhelmed. Please take a few deep breaths. Inhale, exhale. It seems like forever to get the diagnosis and then everything piles up and happens all at once. You are going through similar to the treatment plan I experienced. Just take one...
You have earned the right to be confused, scared and overwhelmed. Please take a few deep breaths. Inhale, exhale. It seems like forever to get the diagnosis and then everything piles up and happens all at once. You are going through similar to the treatment plan I experienced. Just take one day at a time. This is the only way you can comprehend it all. Please always take someone with you if you can. It always helps to have an extra set of ears. I went and got fitted for a wig before my hair fell out and shaved my head before also. I felt more in control that way. As you will see there are many ladies on here that will become so much support for you. I found a lot of comfort and advice from my Ono nurses. If I had a question I would run it by them. If they did not feel comf answering it they would go get the doc to take care of it. Try to take each day as slowly as you can. Keep posting and good luck.
Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast CancerI know you'll probably worry even though we say hold off on that, but let action jump in the front seat and do the driving for now and worry will relunctantly crawl into the back seat while you're in that proactive mode. I agree that so many more suspicious things turn out to be benign. Keep up...
I know you'll probably worry even though we say hold off on that, but let action jump in the front seat and do the driving for now and worry will relunctantly crawl into the back seat while you're in that proactive mode. I agree that so many more suspicious things turn out to be benign. Keep up the posts, insist all tests be done that confirms what the change acutally is. I didn't. :-( I waited two years. Hang in there. Jo
There would be a concern with a change like yours from one mammogram to another. It is understandible if you were to be worried as we all would be worried. At this point, a difference has been identified and it warrants finding out why. For every bad outcome, there are a ba-zillion benign...
There would be a concern with a change like yours from one mammogram to another. It is understandible if you were to be worried as we all would be worried. At this point, a difference has been identified and it warrants finding out why. For every bad outcome, there are a ba-zillion benign reasons for these differences. You just need to follow up with the appropriate tests . These usually go as possibly, another mammogram, ultrasound, and needle biopsy. All of these could happen and it STILL can turn out to be benign. I have been there done that as many of us have. Try to take each step at a time and don't project into the future as it being ...for sure breast cancer. SO MANY of my pals have gone through these testing procedures and every single one of them have had benign outcomes. I didn't, but when I felt --the lump-- I really did know it was breast cancer just by the way it felt. My doctor also confirmed it even before all the testing started. Anyway..... many more benign findings than breast cancer.
Hang in there and keep us posted. Take care, Sharon
Asked by anonymous
Learning About Breast CancerMelany,
So sorry you have had this diagnosis but you have plenty of company out here. You will be presented with a lot of options. Each of those options will have percentages attached to them as far as beating this disease. Treatment plans depend on many, many, findings that have to do with...
Melany,
So sorry you have had this diagnosis but you have plenty of company out here. You will be presented with a lot of options. Each of those options will have percentages attached to them as far as beating this disease. Treatment plans depend on many, many, findings that have to do with your own unique disease. Even though you may be diagnosed with the same type of breast cancer, your treatment may be completely different than the next woman's. Discovery is based on a cellular level and the best treatment will be advised depending on those findings. Your head will be spinning as you attend your soon to be appointments. I would advise you take along a family member, or a good friend to take notes, and listen to what is being said. You will have a lot thrown at you and it is difficult to take it all in. You could also record your sessions to play back as a reminder. We are here to help you as much as we can. Women want to know what is going to happen along the way. PLEASE do not be afraid to ask your questions to the team of people who will be caring for you. This is the most important time in your life when YOU have to be your own best advocate. Do not be a shrinking violet at you are the most important part of this journey. Approach this with strength, courage, and humor. You will need the support of all the folks you can enlist. We don't know what your treatment plan is going to be because it all depends on the outcome of the specific tests you are going to have. If things don't sound quite right to you, GET A SECOND OPINION!
Hang in there... remember, we are always here for you. You WILL make it! Take care, Sharon
I was diagnosed i
Comment 0Asked by anonymous
Stage 2A PatientHere is some I just "googled"
http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/medicalschool/centers/cancercenter/
CancerCare/LearnAboutCancer/Pages/CICL.aspx/
http://www.amc.org/programs.html
http://www.regis.edu/regis.asp?sctn=sl&p1=pc&p2=sscet
Good luck to you.... take care, Sharon
Comment 0Thank you!!
Comment 0
Looking for another topic?
Use the search box in the top right.
Beyond The Shock is a comprehensive online guide to understanding breast cancer.
It is a resource for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, a place for loved ones to gain a better understanding of the disease, and a tool for doctors to share information.
Beyond The Shock is a collaborative breast cancer guide created by the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. (NBCF) with the support of the finest medical experts, doctors, and researchers in the world. NBCF utilized ground-breaking technology and the resources of the global medical community to create an accessible platform for understanding a diagnosis of breast cancer.