So scared

It is just the worst part of dealing with BC for you right now. The beginning is full of the shock, fear and uncertainty of it all. There is a lot of waiting for results and appointments with specialists. Try not to google too much as the info is not always very good quality. Stick to this site, Cancer Australia and government sites if you do go looking. But really until you have your pathology results you won't be able to find out a lot of specifics. Even then a lot of statistics etc are old so I have found the oncologist has the most up to date info. As far as mastectomy versas lumpectomy, see what your surgeon recommends. I had a mastectomy because my cancer was in more than one spot (3cm invasive ductal carcinoma and 3cm DCIS). I found the recovery not too bad and preferred to know that the cancer had virtually no tissue to come back in. It can mean you avoid having to have radiation in some cases also which gives you more options with reconstruction. I have just finished 6 rounds of Chemo and am feeling tired but very happy to have got through it. It is not easy but with good support you find the strength to do what you have to. The advice about taking a support person with you to appointments is excellent as you just can't seem to function the same when in crisis mode. My husband or daughter have come to all my appointments with me and it does help. Writing down questions also helps. I had the same attitude as you (just wanted to do everything I could to live) as at 47 I have a lot more living to do! It is going on for 5 months since my diagnosis and once my immune system recovers from this last dose of chemo I can get on with living my life again. All I can say to you is that you do get through what you have to and there are positives along the way. You don't feel bad the whole time. Even on Chemo I had more good days than bad. It has brought my family closer together and we all appreciate the little things more! Wishing you strength and a liitle bit of luck along the way. Let others help as it makes the journey easier and you will recover more quickly. Take care and all the best. Deanne xxxxx