@healedme

Welcome to mayo Connect, you are at right place to ask questions.

This next year is going to be a marathon, not a sprint. First, do you know your treatment plan yet? Are you planning for things that may or may not happen. I wanted to know everything immediately, but had to slow down. I did not have full idea of my long range treatment plan till weeks after diagnose. I had genetic testing done before any final decision was made. Depending on results it may of changed my treatment plan. Then it was one step at time, I did 6 months neoadjuvant chemotherapy before surgery, then surgery., lumpectomy to remove tumor and two lymph nodes. Then the providers met to decide if radiation or chemo was next. In my case, did chemo then radiation. I hade stage 2.

I live by myself, was in early 60s at time and did 90% of treatments alone. It would of been different if I required a mastectomy. I was an outpatient for surgery, my sister took day off work to take me home from hospital and I was fine by myself. Drove to all provider, chemo and radiation appts alone. Most friends did not live close and family members were working. Except last radiation treatment when nieces came to 'ring the bell" indicating end of radiation. Would it been nice to have someone with, yes. But doable alone. Radiation appts are quick and it is not like anyone can go in room with you.

I will admit I was sometime jealous of patients who had groups with them in matching t-shirts. But they mostly just sat in waiting rooms and were not part of appts. I enjoyed my quiet time and people watching. If I had bunch people with me, my anxiety would of been terrible. Maybe I am exception and some people need more support. It is all going to depend on treatment plan.

Tell you son you would be more anxious and worried if he missed his first year of college. He is only a flight or drive away.

Do you have surgeon and oncologist appoints scheduled?