When will I stop shaking?

Hi , so sorry you find yourself in this situation. Feeling shaky and overwhelmed is a perfectly natural and normal response to a breast cancer diagnosis. Your 'fight or flight' response kicks in and all that adrenaline leaves us feeling shaky, overwhelmed and sometimes a little bit sick. Unfortunately, because there's so much waiting, there's lots of adrenaline but try not to worry about this, you will adjust. When you have shocking news like this It takes time to process what's happening.

When we're first diagnosed it's natural for our brains to take us straight to worse case scenarios, but as far as breast cancer goes DCIS is the best of a bad lot. The prognosis is excellent and treatments are highly effective. Hopefully, your biopsy results will indicate what grade of DCIS you have (there are 3 - low, intermediate and high). Knowing the grade will help your cancer team decide on a treatment plan. Before I was diagnosed with DCIS ( in February this year ) I'd never heard of it, so if you're not clear, it's worth reading about it here on the Macmillan site (also Breast Cancer Care have some good information).

I don't know how helpful this is because everyone is different but I was diagnosed in February 2019 and right now in June I am cancer free and not having any further treatment. I'm all done, the cancer is gone.

Something I found really helpful when I was having shaky moments was phoning the Macmillan helpline - they have trained cancer nurses you can speak to who are amazing.

Sending you big hugs right now - you're going to get through this xx

I was recalled from my first routine mammogram in May 2015.  I had two areas biopsied but doctor was 99% sure it was harmless calcification.  Week later results one area benign and one intermediate grade DCIS.  I was due to fly to NY 5  days later and they told me to go!  I did and it was just what I needed to get away from well meaning family and friends who made me feel like they pitied me!!

I was given my provisional treatment plan at diagnosis, surgery followed by radiotherapy and possibly hormone treatment depending on surgery biopsy results. 

I had surgery- lumpectomy/WLE.  It was wire guided as no marker inserted when they did biopsy.  In and out same day and no need for painkillers.  DCIS upgrades to high after surgery but then just radiotherapy and no hormone treatment.  

Thank you. Yes, I've done a bit of reading and do feel that the prognosis is good. So glad you are now cancer free. That's great. I'll just hang on in and wait for the shaking to stop. ...... it has to at some point, eh. Thanks for the tip on phoning Macmillan. I'll probably do that. Sounds helpful. Xx

Hi. I'm glad yours went well. I think my holiday is good timing really. Hopefully it'll take my mind off it all. I'll be staying with friends but hopefully will be too busy to dwell. Thanks for your encouragement. Xx

The shaking is probably panic because suddenly there is something happening that you have no control or certainty over.  Once you get your proper diagnosis and treatment plan you will be surprised at how much better and calmer you feel.  

Thank you. Xx