Get it out now or wait and think?
Hi, I'm newly diagnosed hormone positive her2 negative. I had my first appointment with my surgeon and was told my diagnosis a week ago. I was told to consider lumpectomy with radiation or mastectomy....
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Before my diagnosis in September 2023, I knew nothing about breast cancer because I actively avoided seeking information. Despite this, I ensured that any changes in my breasts were checked. Being informed became crucial for me (and for the medical team). Since the beginning of my journey, I have requested a McGrath nurse and have gone through all the written information provided to me (still ongoing as there is a lot). I didn't want to bother McGrath nurses because they were busy; however, whenever I had a question, they were absolutely amazing. I spent a significant amount of time on the BCNA website and online networks. This is why I decided to stop working immediately—I needed time to sit in front of the computer and gather as much information as possible. At each appointment, I had my questions written down. I did not hesitate to ask any questions, even if they were silly. Once I know my care plan, I plan to return to working from home. It's crucial to obtain all the necessary information, especially about recurrence, which many of us fear. The medical oncologist advised me that I need chemo, radiation, and hormone blockers for 10 years because of high possibility of recurrence. I already had a lumpectomy and re-excision with clear margins at the end. So far, I have been following all the recommendations from my medical team. Being informed empowers me to make decisions. I truly believe that without BCNA and the online network, coping with this situation would have been much more challenging.