Newbie & scared

I'm still a relative beginner at breast cancer but I think it helps to take one step or stage at a time. If surgery is first, you prepare yourself for that. If chemo is first, you prepare yourself for that. It helps not to go too far into the future about what might be, as hard as that is to do.

I feel like I'm doing okay so far but that's not saying a whole lot. On other support sites, I have seen stories of women who are happy and positive after having gone through grueling treatment. We can learn a lot from this cancer experience, odd as that may sound. We learn things about self-care, about what is most important to us, how to let others help and support us (and give it back). Spirituality is also a big help if that is something you can relate to.

Hugs and prayers to you today!

yes, we all work through all this with the help of medical professionals and friends. I had radical mastectomy and 10 lymph nodes removed March 11 of 2020. I asked Dr. several times if that was what she recommended. Blood pressure went up to 180 from anxiety. I followed Dr's recommendations and here I am 3 years later. It was months before I was able to swim in the ocean, one of my healing places. I have made diet changes, dropped 30 lbs but still eat mostly organic. Dr. recommended Memorial Sloan Kettering web site because I use herbs and some increase estrogen so I cut out some herbs.
All my aloha and prayers for your recovery.

I am a trained oncology facial specialist. See if you can find a spa in your area that has Neogenesis skin care products. Neogenesis is proven to work for oncology patients skin. If you cannot find anyone please reach out to me I am happy to help you get it. This applies to anyone that is suffering with skin irritation. I am post op breast cancer IDC patient.

@nikkifrn - my dx was different (I'm triple negative) but I was able to work through chemo and radiation. I had chemo treatment late on Thursday afternoon, worked a light day on Friday, slept in on Saturday and started feeling better on Sunday and returned to work on Monday. My situation was also during part of Covid and I was able to work remotely. I only took off time when I had my bilateral mastectomy. I read about possible side effects and planned accordingly. For chemo I kept candied ginger on hand and ate high protein meals (so I won't miss a treatment); had a port implanted so my hands were free during chemo treatment; I took music, knitting and my iPad for every treatment (I made a chemo bag) so where ever my mind went I was able to change focus to things if there was no one to talk to at the time. As mentioned I also worked through radiation. Again I was able to schedule my radiation treatments at the end of the day on Thursday, again had a light day on Friday, treated myself to extra rest if I felt the need on Saturday and returned to work on Monday.

I had a Radical Mastectomy and 14 lymph nodes removed in 1968. I did not have radiation or Chemo, or followup medication. Two years later had the other breast removed. No cancer, just fibrous cysts and comfort. One breast is very difficult to deal with. I did have Dermatofibrosarcoma in 1988 (in my thigh) surgery only, and squamous cell carcinoma on the collar bone in 2000. I am now being tested for MCUS. Other than that, no problems, and no treatments. I am 92 years old. Nothing life threatening, just annoying.
Gina5009

Thank you for sharing. There is a lot to think about.

To bpknitter: I am triple-negative as well. Do you recall what chemo you used? I am approaching the point where that will be discussed. I know everyone is different but I am interested in learning more about what others have used.

Hi @joan23, I can imagine that you're concerned. As you can see, you have a great circle of support of women here who will support you every step of the way.

I remember living with a 16 year old. That is a journey in itself. With this diagnosis, you and she have additional challenges. I wonder if you might find some of the tips and resources in this related discussion helpful (now or perhaps later).

- Family dynamics challenging when a parent has cancer: Want to connect
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/group-focused-on-families-and-parent-with-cancer/

laurapix again, after reading other women's experiences I want to add this. I did not choose to do chemo. my adopted mother died from metastasized breast carcinoma, inoperable, they found it too late. I think the chemo she got was very painful and had almost as much to do with her death as the cancer. I don't have any one to take care of me . I did 8 weeks of radiation, looked like a tomato, couldn't drive the last 3 weeks and two more. my oncologist had me try every hormone blocker, 5 and I just couldn't tolerate them. My p c tested my hormone levels and I'm below the charts. 78 yrs old, past menopause. my dr. s both an m.d. and naturopath. I'm taking DIM to block hormone and
calcium glutamate to get estrogen out of my system, so far its working.
aloha

I looked up DIM and found this in a couple of places.

" People on hormone therapies or with certain hormone-related cancers should avoid these supplements."

Do you have studies that refute this?