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Posted 2/8/2005 5:09 AM (GMT 0)

37, DX 1/3/05 with invasive ductal carcinoma. 1.7 cm tumor with calc. S2. Dr. rec mastectomy, chemo, and rads if lymph +. I would need to wait on reconstruction. I am waiting on my lymph node biopsy results. 2nd opinion scheduled for 2/25. Information overload right now. I fight every day to remain in encouraged. I know I want to live to see my 6 year old daughter become and woman and have a family of her own.

Posted 2/8/2005 6:25 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome,

Take a deeeep breath. Information overload is normal right now. I found it helpful to have someone with me at all appointments or take a recorder if you must go alone. A second opinion is a good idea. It sounds like you are more in control than you feel right now. The best advise I have ever gotten was to keep as positive as possible. Keep people around you that are upbeat and can make you laugh. (Laughter really is good medicine).

You have come to a great place. These ladies are supportive, caring, and very knowledgable.

Keep us informed. Try to relax and enjoy that little girl.

By the way, I was dx'd nearly 7 years ago and I am cancer free.

Hugs, Angela

Posted 2/8/2005 11:39 AM (GMT 0)

Hi B-

And now take another deeeep breath. I am 36, was diagnosed over 5 years ago a week before turning 31. There are lots of success stories out there, and most of them you never hear about because they are enjoying normal lives.

Info overload, definitely. There is so much to learn and so many tests and so many doctors to see and so many decisions to make, that one comes away from BC with an honorary medical degree!  My advice to you is figure out what you need to empower yourself. In my case it was information, including the 2nd opinion. It helped to put me in charge of my care.. I went to my appointments with pages of questions and a tape recorder, it helped me organize what I needed to ask and then I could replay the answers later when I could digest it all.  I kept as normal of a lifestyle as I could....after all, if I did not feel sick, I sure as heck was not going to act sick.

Chemo is very doable! THere are some gals here just starting, and many of us are several years out....we'll offer you our past experiences in order to help make yours a little easier.  Statistics are just numbers, but they help predict an outcome or prognosis in order to treat. And statistically, you have excellent odds to beat this thing once and for all! 

Hang in there!

Lori

Posted 2/8/2005 1:13 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the board. Now take another deep breath. You will need a lot of those. We have many young women on this board that have survived and continue to live very normal lives watching their children grow. Take it a day at a time and continue to gain knowledge about this breast cancer. It sounds like you have learned a lot already. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER and it helps lessen the fears. You already have a lot of caring advise and that will continue. Come here any time of the day with any type of question, thoughts you would like to share, complaints, joys you are experiencing. We want to hear it all if you want to tell us. Someone/all of us will respond and be with you. I will have you in my prayers. Love and hugs, Candy
Posted 2/8/2005 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
I want to add my welcome, too, and direct you to the Roll Call post at the top of the screen where you can see some info about many of us, also some pictures are available. My daughter was dx at 39 six years ago. She had chemo after a mastectomy and reconstruction done at same time. She is doing fine. I am older of course and am eight years from dx. I know many of the younger women will be very helpful to you. I see Lori has already mentioned she and a couple others are from your same area. Make yourself comfortable and ask any questions you have. I'm sure someone can help. Hugs Mary K. MK is shorter
Posted 2/8/2005 3:08 PM (GMT 0)
Adding my welcome, too. You've already gotten good advice and you sound like you have things under control. But, I agree that it feels like information overload right now. In a few more weeks/months you will be amazed at the education you have gained from breast cancer. I'm another of the long-term survivors here. It will be nine years in April for me. Feel free to come here with concerns, questions, to just vent or to just hang out among friends. This is a good group. Hugs, Lauri
Posted 2/8/2005 6:28 PM (GMT 0)
Just adding my Welcome! You have come to the right place for sure. We are all here for each other, to laugh, cry, hug, and support. So keep us posted and we will be here for you.

L&H
Sara
Posted 2/8/2005 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
Adding my welcome. As stated above, you have come to the right place. Most of us are full of information. SOme you might want to have, lol. Between us, we have done many different chemo's and can answer many of your upcoming questions. When I was first diagnosed in 2000 my son was turning 5, he will be 10 in May. I'm on my way to watching him grow up, marry and give me grandbabies.
Posted 2/9/2005 12:10 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the club no one wants to join.  These women are amazing.  I just got through the lumpectomy and chemo and rads last year.  I never would have been able to cope without this board.  I welcome you heartily.  I hope and pray: 

NODE NEG, NODE NEG, NODE NEG, NODE NEG!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 I have a 4-year old son.  I went through those thoughts too. 

Posted 2/9/2005 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry you have had to join us on this board.  It's really not a club you want to join but you will be encouraged from the stories and advice you get here.  I was first diagnosed at 38.  Surgery, chemo, it's all something you CAN do.  It's not fun by any means but you'll be amazed at how well you handle it.  Keep a good support group - only hang around POSITIVE people(this one is very important) and keep your humor.  Let us know how you're doing.  We are all praying for negative nodes!!!!! (but, if they are not, YOU CAN STILL MAKE IT!!!) 

Posted 2/9/2005 2:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hi..

This is a very difficult time...the waiting for appointments and results is hard on the nerves....but we
will wait with you...Please feel free to ask us any questions. The women her are wonderful and
very understanding and helpful !!

Comforting Hugs

Cathi
Posted 2/10/2005 1:17 AM (GMT 0)
I'd rather not say "welcome" but if you must be here, "welcome, welcome, welcome" to our spot in the ether. You're probably feeling overwhelmed, bewildered and stressed beyond belief. That's why we're here. Come often for help, info. or just for some hugs when things are really tough. We'll be here, arms open for you. (((HUGS))), Luci
Posted 2/10/2005 6:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hi BMarie--just wanted to pop my head in to say "hi" along with the other ladies. Hang in there!!

Hugs, Michele
Posted 2/10/2005 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome to our board... so sorry you are here.. the ladies have given such good advice... please let us know how you're doing when you can. Information overload is so common at the beginning... feels like you're in Cancer college taking Breast Cancer 101. But we're here to help, and to listen when you need some ears... !
Hugs to you,
Stefanie
dx at age 34- 02/2001 stage IIB, 4.5 cm tumor, er-/pr-, 5 of 49 lymph nodes positive
with three children, now 10, 8 and 7 and enjoying every day with them! (and husband!)
;-)
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