newly diagnosed

kit45
kit45 Member Posts: 89
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi, my name is Kit and am newly diagnosed with breast cancer. I had my breast MRI today and met with two oncologist. I am awaiting the results of the MRI to determine surgery options. I am scared and don't know what to do. Help?

Comments

  • NorcalJ
    NorcalJ Member Posts: 187
    #2
    Hi Kit,

    I'm only a few steps ahead of you in this process, so I can empathize with your feelings. You're doing the best thing by writing this. Reach out, we're all in this together and are strong advocates for each other. The next thing I did was scour the internet for info. and continue to do it every step of my journey. A big wet cry was actually my first order of business. It wasn't the only time, and won't be the last, but in between YOU can be your best advocate. I find good information and support on
    this site. Breastcancer.org was also very informative. Do you have a good support system? Take advantage of peoples offers to help. It's hard at first, but friends and family can really be a blessing if you give them a chance. Most of all keep asking questions of the doc's. Take charge and become the queen of your team!
    Please keep us posted. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #3
    I wrote a post a lot like yours after my mas about six months ago. Since then I have been through chemo and rads. Since then I have found a lot of courage even while crying a lot of tears. Being a part of this discussion board and learning from the amazing women here has made a HUGE difference in my attitude and knowledge. I am confident that you will be writing someone six months from now a letter of encouragement. Till then, let us help you with every little thing from tears, to hair loss, to questions, and to triumphs. Take care. Love, Joyce
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #4
    Hello Kit.
    So sorry you have to join our ranks, but welcome aboard since it is what it is.
    I was first diagnosed in 1986. Yep. That long ago. I was 38 at the time and will be 60 in a few days. See? THIS IS DOABLE.
    You are going to come through this and out on the other side a stronger person than you ever thought you would ever be. In the mean time, lean on us and others for the support you need. Don't be a hero...don't try to do ANY of this by yourself. We wouldn't be here if we didn't care and were not more than willing to help you in any way we can.
    God bless.
  • scaraher
    scaraher Member Posts: 20
    #5
    Hi Kit I was diagnosed in feb. and am now undergoing chemo. I know this is tough especially hearing those words for the first time. The only advice I can give is get as much info as possible, find doctors you trust, have a good support team which should include somebody going through it or has gone through it, I found my support by posting a wild crazy message here and getting a response from someone who knew what I was going through we now talk everyday and it helps. You are in my prayers and I wish you the best, I know you will make it through this.
    Stephanie
  • ninjamom
    ninjamom Member Posts: 142
    #6
    Hi Kit
    I was diagnosed with BC in March and like you I wrote "newly diagnosed", scared an not knowing what to do. The response I got from my new friends was overwhelming. I tell you this because I keep coming back to this site for support and answers.

    This is the scariest part, the waiting.. hang in there, talk to your support group, you already have us at this site, do you have a support group at home? I agree with NorcalJ, family and friends can be a blessing. Most important remember you are not alone, you will get thru this.
    My prayers are with you
  • seof
    seof Member Posts: 819 Member
    #7
    Kit,
    This site is a good source of support. I agree with what everyone else has said, don't try to go it alone,let people know what you need. I found the book "my cancer journey" from the ACS online bookstore to be very useful. Searching online is good too, just be careful that you are looking at dependable sources. Most well-known research hospitals have websites (like M. D. Anderson in Houston, TX).

    Write us again, anytime. seof.
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    #8
    Hi Kit:
    Sorry to have to welcome you to this site only because you also have the beast, but it is what it is. Here you will find an amazing group of women. We will try to help you in any way we can by giving you advise, support and a virtual shoulder to cry on. Don't be afraid, nervous or even embarrassed to ask questions because we have all been through this. I have just celebrated my 1 year survivorship. I went through a radical mastectomy with a tram flap reconstruction and will be finishing the reconstruction in August. My advise to you is to take someone with you to all your dr appts. You need someone to listen to the dr because you will be very overwhelmed with all the info they try to tell you all at once. Write down your questions in a notebook so that when you get to the drs office you don't forget what you wanted to say. Write down the responses or have the person with you write them down. Take your time and think things through before you come to any decisions. It is a very scary time right now, I remember the fear of not knowing while I was waiting for test results. It will get better and you will get through it. We are here to offer all the support we can give you. Don't be afraid or embarrassed to post any question or comment you may have. Hugs and prayers to you, Lili
  • kit45
    kit45 Member Posts: 89
    #9
    mmontero38 said:

    Hi Kit:
    Sorry to have to welcome you to this site only because you also have the beast, but it is what it is. Here you will find an amazing group of women. We will try to help you in any way we can by giving you advise, support and a virtual shoulder to cry on. Don't be afraid, nervous or even embarrassed to ask questions because we have all been through this. I have just celebrated my 1 year survivorship. I went through a radical mastectomy with a tram flap reconstruction and will be finishing the reconstruction in August. My advise to you is to take someone with you to all your dr appts. You need someone to listen to the dr because you will be very overwhelmed with all the info they try to tell you all at once. Write down your questions in a notebook so that when you get to the drs office you don't forget what you wanted to say. Write down the responses or have the person with you write them down. Take your time and think things through before you come to any decisions. It is a very scary time right now, I remember the fear of not knowing while I was waiting for test results. It will get better and you will get through it. We are here to offer all the support we can give you. Don't be afraid or embarrassed to post any question or comment you may have. Hugs and prayers to you, Lili

    Thank you for responding. It seems I can't wait to go to my computer when I get home from work to see if I have any replies. My sister has been going to every appointment to date and she is a nurse so she asks more questions than I could ever think of. I found out my appointment with my surgeon is 6/10/08 which is a week from today. I am still waiting the results of the MRI to help in determining my decision. My sister, I believe is leaning toward a masectomy but she won't actually give her opinion. I know she knows its my decision. May I ask, how did you decide a masectomy over lumpectomy or was the choice made for you?
  • kit45
    kit45 Member Posts: 89
    #10
    Thank you to all who have reponded and provided me with very useful information and a warm welcome. My scheduled visit with my surgeon is next Tues 6/10th. I am awaiting results of the MRI and need to make decisions. Would anyone share their thoughts? I also did not realize they can't tell if my lymph nodes are effected until surgery. This of course, I was told, would assist in determining the course of treatment.
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
    #11
    kit45 said:

    Thank you to all who have reponded and provided me with very useful information and a warm welcome. My scheduled visit with my surgeon is next Tues 6/10th. I am awaiting results of the MRI and need to make decisions. Would anyone share their thoughts? I also did not realize they can't tell if my lymph nodes are effected until surgery. This of course, I was told, would assist in determining the course of treatment.

    Hi sweetie~ we know how overwhelmed you are with the not knowing and the decisions you have to make. We have been there, and will be walking this path with you.

    As for me~ I had a walnut sized lump in my right breast...all of the standard tests were done, though my DR told me it was not to rule out cancer, but to confirm it. During surgery it was also found I had 3 of 15 lymphodes positive for cancer as well. My staging, in the 1-4 is a 2B.

    I had a lumpectomy, lymphnode removal, followed by chemotherapy and radiation. My story is not unlike the stories of most of the amazing women you will find on this site.

    And for all of the fear, the dread, just wherever you find yourself on the emotional rollercoaster, know this: you are NOT alone! And, by the way, I recently celebrated my 5 YEAR survival mark! And you will too!

    Stay in touch with us~ you will find support, fellow feeling and comfort every step of your way. We do this together.

    Hugs,
    Claudia
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #12
    kit45 said:

    Thank you to all who have reponded and provided me with very useful information and a warm welcome. My scheduled visit with my surgeon is next Tues 6/10th. I am awaiting results of the MRI and need to make decisions. Would anyone share their thoughts? I also did not realize they can't tell if my lymph nodes are effected until surgery. This of course, I was told, would assist in determining the course of treatment.

    Kit, you are asking questions about the best course of treatment? You will have a lot of questions along the way and a lot of information about your individual situation. There are no general guidelines I can give you now except one. Find an Oncologist that you like and can trust. I went to my first onc. and came away feeling very out of sorts. I consulted a second and felt A LOT better. When I look back and think about having been treated by the first, I shudder. The funny part is I don't know if he would have done one thing different in my treatment. But when my second oncologist tells me something I trust the information. I am comfortable asking questions with her. She makes me feel like she cares about me. My advice, then, is find good doctors. Good medical advice and good vibes. Things are tough enough without a smile from your doctor. By the way, my radiologist doesn't smile at me. But I love him anyway. When it was time to make the measurements to determine treatment he paid very close attention and continued making adjustments till he was satisfied that he was giving me the best treatment possible. And lastly, it might seem like we can't chose our nursing support staff, but we can influence them to give us the care we need. For example, if you open up to the support staff and let them know your questions, fears, cheerfulness when possible, and humanity, they will respond (I have found) with a level of nursing that is amazing in its scope. Best wishes on your journey. Pick good companions. love, Joyce
  • liz11808
    liz11808 Member Posts: 34
    #13
    chenheart said:

    Hi sweetie~ we know how overwhelmed you are with the not knowing and the decisions you have to make. We have been there, and will be walking this path with you.

    As for me~ I had a walnut sized lump in my right breast...all of the standard tests were done, though my DR told me it was not to rule out cancer, but to confirm it. During surgery it was also found I had 3 of 15 lymphodes positive for cancer as well. My staging, in the 1-4 is a 2B.

    I had a lumpectomy, lymphnode removal, followed by chemotherapy and radiation. My story is not unlike the stories of most of the amazing women you will find on this site.

    And for all of the fear, the dread, just wherever you find yourself on the emotional rollercoaster, know this: you are NOT alone! And, by the way, I recently celebrated my 5 YEAR survival mark! And you will too!

    Stay in touch with us~ you will find support, fellow feeling and comfort every step of your way. We do this together.

    Hugs,
    Claudia

    Hello Kit,
    I am diagnosed early this year January with lobular carcinoma, stage1 with negative lymp nodes. I decided to have mastectomy on my left breast and rightnow will complete my 4 rounds of chemo this Friday. Like everyone that were diagnosed with cancer, the fear seems to grow bigger everyday. But when I started to write in this network, all the responses and support gives me the courage and strength. Now I regularly check the site several times a day to read all the new post of the day. I am preparing myself now for Friday for my last chemo. I will pray for you.

    God bless,
    Liz
  • mmontero38
    mmontero38 Member Posts: 1,510
    #14
    kit45 said:

    Thank you for responding. It seems I can't wait to go to my computer when I get home from work to see if I have any replies. My sister has been going to every appointment to date and she is a nurse so she asks more questions than I could ever think of. I found out my appointment with my surgeon is 6/10/08 which is a week from today. I am still waiting the results of the MRI to help in determining my decision. My sister, I believe is leaning toward a masectomy but she won't actually give her opinion. I know she knows its my decision. May I ask, how did you decide a masectomy over lumpectomy or was the choice made for you?

    Hi Kit:
    I chose to have a mastectomy. My brother and sister-in-law are both doctors and they were leaning towards the mastectomy also. I felt that this way there might not be a chance of recurrence. I think either way whether you choose to have a lumpectomy or mastectomy, todays chances are good to beat this beast if caught early on. But, like I said in my posting, you are probably overwhelmed, scared, worried, etc. Take your time and review all your options. See what your surgeon says, based on his interpretation of the MRI. Ultimately, the decision is yours. Good luck to you and please keep posting. Lili
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #15
    Kit, I echo the thoughts of everyone else's posts. I remember the horrible fear and confusion of when I was first diagnosed and please know you will get through it and it does get better. One more thing, don't be too hasty when choosing between a mastectomy and a lumpectomy. I was convinced I wanted a mastectomy because I was terrified, but my surgeon educated me on the success rates of lumpectomy vs mast.----they are about the same. I went w/ the lumpectomy and am so very glad I did! Listen to your doctors---they are the experts(your sister is a nurse but with all due respect she is not a surgical oncologist). Good luck and keep us informed. Eileen
  • Jadie
    Jadie Member Posts: 723
    #16
    unknown said:

    Hello Kit.
    So sorry you have to join our ranks, but welcome aboard since it is what it is.
    I was first diagnosed in 1986. Yep. That long ago. I was 38 at the time and will be 60 in a few days. See? THIS IS DOABLE.
    You are going to come through this and out on the other side a stronger person than you ever thought you would ever be. In the mean time, lean on us and others for the support you need. Don't be a hero...don't try to do ANY of this by yourself. We wouldn't be here if we didn't care and were not more than willing to help you in any way we can.
    God bless.

    Zah you are such an inspiration to all of us. Twenty years wow! You will have to tell us when your birthday is so we can throw a party. We dont have the chat room to meet in so I guess we will have to do it here.
  • lfly
    lfly Member Posts: 50
    #17
    Hello and Welcome,

    Hang in there. The suggestions offered here are wise for the most part. Come to chat, update, rant, ask questions it's all helpful to you and the rest of us.

    I was first diagnosed in October 2001. It's tough at times but it's worth it. So I've been around 7 1/2 years. Yes, it's do-able.

    God bless and keep you. Remember we are here
    lorie

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