@carolinab I know just how much anxiety you have today. All the unknowns really pile up in your mind, it gets so loud in your head. The nurse navigator was invaluable to me. I called or emailed whenever I had a question and she responds so much faster than many doctor’s offices can. Try as best you can to just prepare for the next step, I know it’s very hard to do, but it made me feel like I had some control. I had the same diagnosis components and had a lumpectomy and 2 sentinal nodes removed. I had 20 rounds of radiation and am now on Anastrozole, estrogen blocker, for 5 years. I personally have had few side effects from the Anastrozole. I won’t speak to radiation, as you have no treatment plan yet. So let that go for now if you can.

As for surgery recovery, pretty sore, needed pain meds for a few days, then Ibuprofen was fine with cold packs. Compression bras are great since movement and stretching is uncomfortable. Sleeping on my back with a U shaped pregnancy pillow was a game changer as it supported my arms so I didn’t roll on my surgical side at night. A body pillow on both sides will work too.

Best thing I can tell you, is let people help you, drink plenty of fluid, eat what tastes good, don’t read ahead until you know what you’re going to be dealing with and most importantly, be kind to yourself, really. Cry, pray, yell, scream or just sit with yourself. They caught it and there is a treatment. You can do this!