Is being mentally numb at all normal?

Posted by happytrouble @happytrouble, Apr 10, 2023

So, I need to say after scanning through some of the posts I feel like an idiot mentioning my issue at all. However, I am going to go through with it in hopes that there is someone that can relate. My story is that at the very end of Jan 2023, I was diagnosed with ILC in my right breast, and I went to the 3D Xray appointment quite impatient, as I had an interview after that, and about a third of the way through I realized that the interview was just that, and this was about my life (owed everyone in the office an apology, and I did!) But talk about a smack in the face with the realization....you see I am 60, no kids, single, somewhat attractive, or so I think (ha!), been flying throw life willy nilly, by the seat of my pants ... yep! I have always been a solution girl, no whining, just what's it going to take for a solution....so that is how I approached this. And you know for me there was no TV moment in a Dr.s office with the file in her hand and somber, it was a Dr, saying in passing yea I'm thinking cancerous, again I didn't take it for gospel, but after a couple of days, I had a thought that this is a Dr, who does this every day and is not her first rodeo....so Genine, (that's what I call myself since that is my name) WAKE UP! I did! But still with the thought that they will take a dimple out of my fabulous tits and I will keep moving on through life....ahh no! Anyway, speed through to a month later I had a double mastectomy and now I am 6 weeks after surgery and two days away from going to my plastics guy to discuss what and how about my new tits. And my oncologist put me on letrozole a week ago and to date only a week but no weirdness yet, however I expect it. My issue is that if you ask me I absolutely am numb with emotion or hurt from cancer, still have no real emotion, feel some pain from the incisions and the damn restriction caused by the expanders...what a bag of BS we ladies go through to be beautiful...oh man! I guess I just am wondering if anyone can relate at all. I cry when I read the ladies that have all this pain with their meds, cause I am guessing that is what is going to happen to me, and honestly makes me wonder - what if I had just done nothing... I am just venting and appreciate you allowing me to, but seriously...............oh my!

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You're a very good writer - I have to admit I had a good laugh at your mention of your 'fabulous tits'. I feel the same way about what you said about being numb with no emotion. I haven't shed a tear 'yet' about my 'cancer journey' as they call it. And it is indeed a 'journey'. I was also diagnosed in January and was pretty shocked when I was told to get another mammogram, but really only 1 in 8 women who are called back, have a cancer diagnosis. Oh, I thought, I'll have no problem - no women in my large Irish family have every had any cancer much less breast. Was I surprised? You bet! I kept wondering 'why me'? Then some Irish common sense kicked in and I said, 'why not you'. Just get on with it. Now I have to choose between doing nothing or watch and wait to see if it recurs (seems like it might be a choice). But common sense tells me I have to do something. My Radiologist wants to do Radiation and my Medical oncologist wants me to do the Hormone replacement pill. Neither option is appealing, but that's just me whining. Good luck with all your reconstruction - you will be fine. I know because you have such a great spirit, and you will survive and thrive. Blessings!

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