Welcome and yes the beginning is overwhelming. But I was pleased the treatment I had was started so quickly. I travelled 500k for my appointment. I happy though my chemo was done locally at least.
I had a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction. My bc was Es+Pr- Her2+. I had ACT-H chemo. I found it terribly hard but got through.
Although older at diagnosis, I was 51, all my son's were still at home and still so much of need of me. That's all I could think of. Although that made me really scared and sad some days it also gave me the strength to keep going no matter how miserable I felt.
I'm am now 20 months since diagnoses. 12 months since end of chemo and 9 months since end of herceptin. I'm still on oral tablets. I was gene negative and like you was prepared for all surgery needed. I did choose the bilateral at the beginning as my cancer was invisible on a mammogram 5 weeks before I felt it. I just thought I would spend my life always being terrified because of this...and at my surgeons suggestion we went for bilateral. It is a big op. A reasonable recovery and a decision I do not regret. I'm now waiting on my last bit of surgery which is nipple creation.
This site is fabulous support. There is always someone here to help. We have quite a few younger members who I am sure will connect with you soon. But regardless of age, type of breast cancer our journey and experiences are all similar in some ways and very different others. We are all united by our fight and eventual survivorship.
Kath x