Stitcher317

Hi Nancee,

First of all, sit back and take a deep breath and try to relax. I know exactly how you feel.

I found a lump in Sept after having had a normal ***** in June. I had to push my Dr. to refer me for an ultrasound.....had the US and while I was waiting for the results the nurse came in and said I needed a biopsy. I knew right then and there it was cancer as my mom had it at age 71 and I am 67. Everything happened so fast. I heard 3 days later that it was indeed cancer and I needed to have surgery. When this happened I was in my summer home in NE PA and knew I didn't want to proceed with my care up in the mountains. Within 2 days my family Dr in Fla arranged all my pre-op appointments and my wonderful girlfriends down here stood ready to accompany me through the maze of medical appointments. My darling husband wasn't ready to leave his golf and tennis buddies so I set out on this journey all alone . I packed up my car, my son's dog and drove 17 hrs to Fla and had my treatment plan outlined for me within 24 hrs of arriving down here. If I can do this, you can as well.

All in all with the MRI, tests, etc. it took about 3 weeks to get on the surgery schedule. My sister flew down from NJ and my 3 bestest friends, now my "angels" accompanied me the day of surgery as they had done for every Dr's visit before. Meanwhile, hubby continued to enjoy his time in the mountains and never missed a golf game or tennis match! To this date he can't name even one of the Dr's that took care of me. (more on that at a later date!)

I was lucky. My cancer was DCIS, Stage 0 with no lymph node involvement. The lumpectomy was a breeze and all I took afterwards was Tylenol.
I underwent 6 weeks of whole breast radiation with no complications except a little fatigue. All in all, it was not a horrible experience. A gal in our quilt guild had a lumpectomy at the same time I did and she was DX's with Stage 2 Invasive cancer. She could not have radiation since she had it years ago for Hodgkins Disease so had a mystectomy with an implant inserted. She is just finishing her chemo and is doing GREAT. She did lose her hair but hasn't been sick for even one minute.

So, here are 2 experiences for you. The more people I tell about this the more people I learn have had this and you just never suspected. It's an epidemic in women these days. I completely understand your anxiety over this but even if you do have cancer it is so manageable and curable these days. You have to stay positive and know that you can get through this.....

At the end of the day I try to stay positive and live in the moment. It was recommended that I take Tamoxifen or Arimadex now for 5 years since my tumor was estrogen receptive. I haven't made a firm decision on this as yet.

Please know we're listening and know we care. Keep in touch, try to relax and take everything one step at a time. I know it's not easy when there is so much going on in your mind. Do you have friends or family that can be with you now? You need some "angels" by your side. I'll be one if you like......