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I know how you feel. I also was diagnosed with TNBC (that was invasive lobular) in one breast and then Er+ Pr+ invasive Ductal in the other breast. Both were stage
1a and grade 2. I went to Mayo Rochester for treatment. I am 70 and had my surgery in March. At first before my bilateral mastectomy the Oncologist said maybe chemo. Then after my pathology came back the Oncologist said probably no chemo because my Ki 67 was low, 5% in the TNBC tumor and 13% in the Er+ tumor and both tumors were stage 1a. He took it to the tumor board and they said no chemo. I was relieved in one way and scared in another way that maybe chemo might help with guarding against recurrence, but since I was at one of the best places I felt confident that it is the right decision. I am on Tamoxifen for the ER+ tumor even though I am post menopausal because I have osteoporosis. I am also getting Zometa infusions now for osteoporosis because the Oncologist told me that there is a benefit with that drug for preventing recurrence.
One other thing I am doing, (besides lots of prayer) that is helping me a lot with the anxiety of it all since my surgery, is doing what I call "Optimistic Self Talk" every single day for 15 minutes. I read 2 books about the mind body connection when this all started and that confirmed the fact that it was very important both physically and mentally to stay optimistic and believe that we will be bc survivors. So here is what I do every single day.
First I set my phone timer for 15 minutes, then I lie on my back with my eyes closed, palms up. Then I say over and over for those 15 minutes: "Love, light, optimism, wellness and healing. I am staying in remission. I am staying free from cancer and free from rogue cancer cells. I am a survivor and I will stay a survivor. I am well and healthy. I am just fine. All is well in my body. "
Let me just say it has helped me immensely! I never miss a day of doing that 15 minutes of optimistic self talk. It has truly helped my anxiety and has kept me in an optimistic mood! I may have shared this already on this site, not sure, but it has meant so much to me that I'm sharing it again in the hopes that it could help one of you reading this. Healing wishes to all of you. ❤️
Replies to "I know how you feel. I also was diagnosed with TNBC (that was invasive lobular) in..."
Hello! Your post and information on optimistic self talk very helpful! You mentioned a couple books you read on this topic; could you kindly share? I am newly diagnosed, and trying to deal with a range of emotions as I get to next steps. Thank you so much! Best wishes!!
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Thank you SO much for that little tutorial. When I got out of bc treatment, I went to get therapy to try to get my head in a positive space. Ended up with a therapist that was way younger than I and all we talked about was her triple positive breast cancer from a few years prior. That wasn't helpful. Now here I am post 2 surgeries for vulvar cancer (this summer) -- pretty healed and no further treatment needed at this time (stage 1B) and all 16 lymph nodes removed were clear, as well as no evidence of any cancer or pre-cancer at the surgical site. I am so grateful, but there is a side of me that says, "OK, now I can go back to worrying about a BC recurrence!" That's what I needed your tutorial for!! What two books did you read, by the way? Thanks again!