Scared totally to death...

[Faithful007]

What some scary words: breast cancer/mastectomy....chemo.......A yr. ago it was adnormal cells in the right breast,, a yr. later cancer in the left one.. Talk about life changing events!!!!!!  I am so afraid of this surgery..and what the future holds at this point.  Any words that might ease my fears are welcome..

[Cheerpul]

I  also am very sorry that you have been diagnosed with breast cancer.  I began my journey on this road almost a year ago and had a mastectomy and chemo (TCH - taxotere, carboplatin and herceptin) and will be taking some drugs for quite awhile.  Like the other women on this site, I am here to support you and offer what I can from my own experience to help you.

11 months after my mastectomy, I have a thin, pink, horizontal line about 10 inches long across my chest (no reconstruction.)  I can move my arm normally, have no swelling, but do have a fairly large area of numbness on my chest, back of arm and armpit.  I had a very easy time with the mastectomy and went home the next day and made a 4 course dinner for 7.  (My family was freaking out, so I did more than I should have to prove to them that I was still me.  It worked, they said I was doing great, so they left!  Let people help you, you'll all feel better.)  The surgery for me did not involve cutting any muscle, so I had very little pain.  Pain varies by the individual, but I was pleasantly surprised.  

I had small breasts and a pretty adaptable personality, so having a mastectomy has not been much of an adjustment for me.  I have a friend who is 5 years out from her mastectomy and she remarked one night, "Hair doesn't matter.  Breasts don't matter.  The important thing is doing everything that you can to knock back the cancer.  You can adjust to everything else."

I have worked through my fears by researching breast cancer, treatment options, all the terms on my lab reports, drugs, and so forth.  I felt more able to be comfortable with my decisions and keep unproductive worry at bay.  You will be amazed at both what we know about cancer and also, how much there is to learn.  

You are going to be proceeding step-by-step.  First tests and diagnosis, more tests and more details.  Then you and your doctors will determine a treatment plan and implement it (most likely including surgery,and/or chemo/ radiation.)  When I started all this almost a year ago, I made a motto to live by and focus on to get me through the rough times:  To adjust and/or endure; with laughter.  Take each step and do what you need to do.  We are all far stronger than we ever thought we would be.  Then live your life.  

We are here to help you through and can offer you support and share stories as you go through the process.  You are not alone and many amazing ladies have walked this same road and inspire us all.  I am thinking of you.  

[maggiemae1944]

Hi Faithful007, I can tell you of 2 women who i know who have had a mastectomy. I myself have breast cancer but they were able to remove the tumors without taking the whole breast.After the surgery, i received radiation treatments(thought they would never end)lol and now i am taking tamoxifen.I am not going to try and tell you that it was easy but you can do this as many of us women have gone through it and we are still here and ready to help you.My aunt had both breasts removed when she was 45 years old and had the radiation and chemo and she lived to be 92 years old.My neighbor who is 67 years old had a breast removed, took radiation and chemo and that was last year and she does great.My aunt was a widow and my neighbor is married.Both women live a full life.My aunt did not let this stop her from going out to dinner with men and she ended up remarrying and my neighbor goes out all the time and just got back from one of her vacations.None of us come with any guarantees with our cancers but do not listen to the bad stories because there are just as many good stories out here.I have had 4 different cancers all non related.The first one i had was pancreatic cancer and i had to have what they call the "whipple surgery" done and they gave me only a 3% chance of survival and said that there was a 95% chance that it would return within the 1st year.That was in 2001 and i am still here.My surgeon was terrific and he told me after the surgery to go home and forget i had ever heard the word cancer and to live my life just as though i had never had this happen to me.That was the best advice anyone could have given to me. When i came home from the hospital i was by myself during the day and it was hard but one day as i was lying on the couch i said to myself"God does not want me to lie here and give into this thing".So i forced myself to get up and each day i would say "ok, God i need your help"and that was just to put my shoes on and i would do something like try and wash dishes, and little by little i got better and better.The only reason i am telling you this is to try and show you that you need to be strong in mind and trust in the Lord to help you through.Do not give into your fears as fear does not come from God. we are here to help you as best that we can and ask any of us anything and we will try and help.We all are going through the same thing and we understand your fears.God bless you Faithfull and may God be with you throughout this whole ordeal.I pray He erases all fears from your mind and heart.Email me anytime. maggiemae1944

[bluebutterfly2222]

I am very sorry that you have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Anyone hearing those words feels intense fear, and it takes a while for the shock of it happening to YOU to wear off.

I hope, since you obviously have been having regular srceening, that it has been caught at an early stage!

There is a whole community here, many of whom have already gone through whatever you may be facing, ready and willing to help by providing information and emotional support. Just let us know what you  need.

Best wishes...