Thank you Miriam for your kind, supportive thoughts. Yes, shocked is the right word...why did I think cancer could never happen to me? Especially with a life time diagnosis of dense breasts and lots and lots of microcalcifications. But my heart disease from my 40s was always my main focus and now unrelenting migraines from a concussion in 2019 too. Plus no one on either family side of my parents ever had cancer. But I know now having no immediate or even extended family member with cancer means nothing.
I am on my second opinion. Was thinking of a third but did that with my migraines, I must have seen at least 5 neurologists in the best hospitals all over the country and finally just decided to stay local. I am with a highly rated cancer center and have faith in them. Yes, I am always with my husband for all oncology appointments and my son, who lives states away from me, is on speaker phone. He takes notes, organizes it all for me to understand easily and emails them to me. I have several great friends who are very supportive but they are not or never been in my shoes. Sometimes I feel very lonely but having this feeling, I know, is not usual. There are so many unknowns at this point - waiting for surgery. Everything will depend on what is found in pathology. I don't feel I am making a mistake having the bilateral mastectomy. I want my lymph node(s) examined too and 3 lumpectomies (maybe 4, I had 4 biopsies all +) without lymph node dissection, I feel, is too risky for me. I only want to go through this once. Thanks again for your positive encouragement, kindly appreciated!