Thursday, May 31, 2012
Just Diagnosed with Cancer? Chat with Experts

Monday, August 17th, 2009

By iwillsurvive2 Monday, August 17, 2009
I got the phone call at about 6:30 on Friday night. "Surprisingly, we found some cancer." I went over those words over and over in my head. Some? So, like, not a lot? I never asked any questions. I said okay a few times and I think I thanked him...don't remember... I was at my sister's house with the kids. She was so strong for me. My husband was out working last minute. I couldn't call him. He couldn't leave and I didn't want him to worry for the next 4 hours; to go through what I was going through. So we sat, smoked (what, is it gonna give me cancer?), and actually joked around for a few hours. My husband got there and we were silent. This wasn't anything new to him though, I'd been like that since the biopsy. Finally I just took him in the bedroom and told him. He sank. It was heartbreaking and I felt so bad. I know that I didn't do it to him, but I felt I was to blame for him sadness. Horrible. So the weekend went by...slowly. We talked about it some. Sometimes I'd catch myself actually being normal and forgetting. Then I had to deal with that feeling like when I'd just gotten the call. My kids really cheered me up. My husband and I read that we needed to talk to our children. We had the whole thing scripted. "Mommy has an owie on her boobie. The Dr. is going to take it out and give Mommy lots of medicine. Then Mommy will be all better!" Ok, got them in the room, we're sittin on the bed, nervous. "Mommy has an owie on her boobie..." "Can I see it?" says my 5 year old son. Complete silence. Um...that wasn't in the script... "Ok..." I muttered. So I show him the part where the lump was. You couldn't see it, just a little bruising fron the biopsy. "Do you want to feel the lump?" Did I really just say that? Too late, of course he did. He pulled back quickly and I finished the rest of my speech while I fixed my shirt. "Can we go to the mall?" said my 3 year old. I looked at my husband...That's it? Sweet! This morning I took my husband, middle child, sister, her fiance, and my dad to the Dr. with me. The doctor explained that my cancer cells were slow growing (awesome), my lump was 1.2 centameters (awesome), I am only in Stage 1(0 is best, 4 is worst) and that I may not even have to have chemo (super awesome!)! So the next step is a mammogram and MRI. Then they'll compare those to the ultrasound I had and have 3 different views of it. Will have results next Monday. For now I'm trying to prepare myself for the MRI. I am so clostrophobic! The doctor said he'd give me a mild tranquilizer. I said, "Can I have a major tranquilizer?" He just laughed. I was serious.
PJ Hamel, Health Guide
8/18/09 6:52am

Welcome to the club no one wants to belong to! LOVED your post - so descriptive. I could feel myself back in those "just diagnosed" days. You're at the very beginning of a journey that could very well change your life - for the better. Cancer can do that. You'll learn that you're very strong; you'll experience the incredible skill of the medical community; and you'll find how very much people care about you and love you. Cancer is a tough price to pay for all this; but cancer disappears, and you're left with everything else - all the good stuff.

 

Hope you soldier through the MRI all right. My advice? Close your eyes and envision something really nice. The tranquilizer will help you drift.

 

"Cancer is a rock in the path - step over it. The path will still be there." And you'll have lots of hands reaching out to help you take those steps. We're here for you - stay connected here. Good luck - PJH

Anonymous
Beth
8/18/09 6:49pm
Hi, I liked your answer. I two am on the same journey. I have been fighting since 1998. I have had two lumpectomys, & 2007 had bilateral mastectomy. Now a yr. later find that i have it again & it is metastaic breast cancer that has spread to the L1 area. I had radiation & thrn was put on Femara for life. cannot take this med. Bad se. Go to Dr. wed. & regroup. Do not know where we will go from here. I am taking a bone building Iv every month. The meds destroys bones.As you have stated ,you find a strength that you would never realize you have. I have my Faith in God. This is above (all).After all He created me. Know one knows this body better than He does. My family. They are Wonderful. My husband. My all in all things. Could not have chosen a better one. I have my days, but all in all I know that this two is in my Precious lords hands as is (all) things. I pray that you & all of us have a long full life. Live for Today. know that this to shall pass. take care everyone.
PJ Hamel, Health Guide
8/18/09 7:06pm

Beth, you're in good hands, for sure. Thanks for connecting - PJH

8/19/09 7:54pm
A friend passed this along to me and I read it alot: ....There is hope for me yet, because God won't forget all the plans He's made for me, I'll have to wait and see.... He's not finished with me yet...
Anonymous
Beth
8/20/09 1:02pm

Innocent This is so true. I think we all will have a pleasant Surprize. When He is finished with us that is. No more pain or tears. just unspeakable Joy & Love. This works for me. God Bless all of us. Beth

Ask a Question

Get answers from our experts and community members.

Btn_ask_question_med
View all questions (6580) >
By iwillsurvive2— Last Modified: 12/20/10, First Published: 08/17/09