Very scared and new here

I went for a mamogram and than was told i needed a biopsy.   i went for the biopsy and had to wait 4 days over mamorial day weekend for the results. it was positive ....i am so stressed and just can't stop thinking the worst. i have just started working a new job .i was on unemployment for 6 months.  Finally i thought life would be ok.  how do all of you cope, I have an appointment to see a surgeon on Tuesday, all i know right now is i have a small lump and also a tumor that is 2 cent . the doctor didnt tell me anymore.....i havent told my job but i am waiting for more information. i am very happy to find this support group here. i need it so much.

Hi Eliz,

I read your message and totally understand your fears.  I have been diagnosed with rectal cancer a month ago and Its been one appointment after another and still more to come.  They want to do radiation and chemo - scared is an understatement. Then surgery. I could not stop  crying for most of the last 3 weeks.  What I did do is get alot of people around me brought into this so I did not have to try and hide it. Second-I found a support group I could go to with people going through the same thing, and I repeat the serenity prayer.. so I think it is time and knowledge that helps to go forward.  I am still scared and I get depressed but hope I learn to except the things I can not change... I wish you the best. And I send a Big hug!!! 

Peggy

The waiting is the worst part.  If your lump is 2 cmm or less, it is probably in the early stages.  Mine was 1.8 and I am Stage 1.  I had a lumpectomy and am having radiation for 6 weeks.  No chemo.  I only missed 5 days of work.  The fear was much worse than the reality so hang in there.

Once my biopsy results came back positive, they ordered a cat scan, a bone scan, and a mri to be sure the cancer is isolated to my right breast.  The news was good so I could opt for a lumpectomy rather than a mastectomy.  When I had the lumpectomy, they removed my sentinal lymph node which is located in my underarm to check for cancer cells.  It came back negative.  They sent a sample of my tumor to Calif. for an OncoType DX test.  This test is for early stage and node negative breast cancer and will give your doctors information about whether you would benefit from chemo.  Years ago everyone got chemo but not so today. 

Demand the information you need from your doctors.  If you are not comfortable with them, get different doctors.  Your peace of mind depends on being informed and confident in the care you are receiving.  Get the book, "Just Get Me Through This" which discusses what to expect with early stage breast cancer.

Best of luck on your journey back to health.

Roseann

Thank you for your information, i was just told last week that the biopsy was positive, my brain is thinking to fast i am very moody and yes the crying spells hit hard, my entire family is on hold it seems ...i will go buy the book and read it should help me.  Thank you

Thank you peggy, I go for my first appoint on this tuesday, to understand more of what type i have and what can be done. i am trying to learn all i can, so i am informed ......i have told everyone around me. except for my job. i will let them know when i know what type of breast cancer i have, and how far along it is.  all the thinking and the not sleeping get to me ..i am looking forword to my appt

Hi Eliz,

During this stressful time, I listened to guided meditation tapes every night in bed while going off to sleep.  I also listened to them when I woke up at 2:30 am to help me go back to sleep.  I envisioned my tumor shrinking like a melting ice cube. Sounds crazy but a tumor which showed up as 2.5 in my mamo, was 1.8 in my mri 10 days later!  I still had the surgery, etc. but it goes to prove the power of the mind.  Rest is very important to you so purchasing those tapes can really help you on your journey. 

God bless.

Roseann

Eliz - I was diagnosed in Sept 08 and I can tell you that right now you are at the most difficult point- the waiting.  Right now you need to rest and eat well - the surgeon who did my biopsy called in something to help me sleep and it really helped.  I also called on all of my support to pray for me - I know that made a world of difference.  My tumor was twice as big as yours - it had not spread.  Because of where the tumor was in my breast, I opted for a mastectomy.  The surgery and recovery were so much easier than I expected - again the "expectation" part is the hardest - our minds take us to the worst places sometimes.  I opted for 4 rounds of chemo as precaution due to the size of my tumor - I've talked with other women who had tumors as large as mine who did not need/elect for chemo.  Because I had a mastectomy I had no radiation and 7 months later I have a reconstructed breast, a new head of hair, and have already had my first round of blood work and scans - all clear.  It's hard for you to see ahead to the next six months, but you will be there looking back with a grateful heart for all of the people who helped you through and acknowledging your own strength for the battle.  Prayers are with you - you are stronger than you think!   Kathie Jo

On 5/29/2009 eliz46 wrote:

I went for a mamogram and than was told i needed a biopsy.   i went for the biopsy and had to wait 4 days over mamorial day weekend for the results. it was positive ....i am so stressed and just can't stop thinking the worst. i have just started working a new job .i was on unemployment for 6 months.  Finally i thought life would be ok.  how do all of you cope, I have an appointment to see a surgeon on Tuesday, all i know right now is i have a small lump and also a tumor that is 2 cent . the doctor didnt tell me anymore.....i havent told my job but i am waiting for more information. i am very happy to find this support group here. i need it so much.

 

I am so sorry to hear the biopsy was positive.  But a word to the wise, the longer you can go through this without letting your employer know the better off you will probably be.  People change drastically when they are confronted with this type info.  Wait until you know you will be out of work for an extended period of time before you tell them. 

Good luck and God Bless

 

On 6/1/2009 sassyleo wrote:

Hi Eliz,

During this stressful time, I listened to guided meditation tapes every night in bed while going off to sleep.  I also listened to them when I woke up at 2:30 am to help me go back to sleep.  I envisioned my tumor shrinking like a melting ice cube. Sounds crazy but a tumor which showed up as 2.5 in my mamo, was 1.8 in my mri 10 days later!  I still had the surgery, etc. but it goes to prove the power of the mind.  Rest is very important to you so purchasing those tapes can really help you on your journey. 

God bless.

Roseann

hello roseann you hit the nail on the head with your advice so true as you wrote the power of the mind i myself have been in a fight for almost three years now with thyroid cancer at first i was told its the best cancer to have well after having a tyroidectomy then a radical neck disection  many rounds of radiation petscans more tumors found on the opposite side of my neck and now a tiny tumor in my lung and three days ago a uterine ablation im still trying to figure out who decided that this was the best oh did i mention i whine alot lol i also bought some relaxation tapes but still couldnt stop or shut my mind of then one of my sons bought me a bunch of comedy tapes alot of old ones for instance the old george carlin bill cosby and i gotta say laughter for me is the best medicine you should see the looks i get when awaiting biopsys that the needles are very long and im cracking up as i walk into the procedure room!!! this young lady needs all the advice possible and thank god for people like yourself and this site i will pray for her and now you wish me luck  im awaiting now my team of doctors decision on whether more external beam radiation verses chemo???  in the end its my decision but not having anymore control is whats bothersome to me any advice on that would be gratfully appriciated  goodluck          theresa  aka  trroid

 

Thank you for the message, I have been getting better information. i  also have told everyone around me. its amazing all of the caring people there are in the world. my family included.  i am very happy for you and thankful you have written to me. i feel better already ....i have my mri this monday at 11....than home for another 5 days than surgery to have them removed.   thank you