New diagnosis

Welcome, and sorry that you've found yourself here.  But, this group is where you will find a safe place to air and discuss your concerns and in time, help other newbies at the stage you're at now by sharing your experiences.

You're perfectly normal to feel washed out - it's all the adrenalin going through your system after weeks of not knowing/not sure what it was. You've probably not been sleeping well this last many days or weeks either, but as you say, now knowing what it is, you 'know your enemy', and can put a name to it, so you'll feel more calm, particularly once you know your treatment plan.

Mine kept changing with each scan.  At first, I was told it was curable, Stage 2 Invasive Ductal Carsinoma HER Negative (from punch biopsies) with no lymph involvement (from ultrasound), but they would take a couple of nodes (sentinel node removal) with the lumpectomy and treatment would be 5 doses of radiotherapy, and I'd be done. Then of the 4 nodes removed all had microscopic cancer cells in them, so had to have auxiliary node removal (remove the rest on that side), and treatment would now involve chemo for 5-6 months, then radiotherapy - still curable.  Sent for CT scan after auxiliary node removal to see if it had gone further.  Of the remaining nodes removed (10), only 1 had cancer cells, so treatment would still be the same, but some 'fuzzies' showed up on CT scan on my spine.  All organs and other soft tissue clear - phew!  Sent for bone scan to determine what the 'fuzzies' were.  Secondary cancer on spine, pelvis and rib. Not curable, but manageable to extend life quality with meds and targeted therapies.

Like you, I have a young family (13 yo son) and a hubby I promised I'd grow old with so I too have a million reasons to fight this.  It is what it is.  At least we now know what we're dealing with, scary as it is.  I had my first infusion yesterday of the Zoledronic acid (bone strengthener) and first dose of Palbociclib (tablet for cancer growth inhibitor), and given slow release calcium/Vit D3 tablets to suck/chew 1 a day for days 1-28 post infusion.  I've been taking Tamoxifen since original diagnosis in late September, and was switched to Letrozole last week as it works better with the Palbociclib.

I hope your treatment plans and further scans will go well, and that you'll have the best outcome possible.

Keep in touch, and meantime sending hugs to you and your family,

Kathryn x.

People respond in all kinds of ways. You and I hae something in common in that not knowing is worst. For some, though, it's the hearing of the diagnosis that is worst. I am not sure there is a "normal" or a "not normal," but even if someone responded in a really extreme way I would still not fault them for it, and your responses do not sound extreme. This is not about mental responses alone; the body can react too, in the same way we get an adrenaline surge when certain mental respones occur, to give an example.

What I do find common to many here is that people go through a period of adjustment after a diagnosis, after which things stabilise, many times once all the information is in and a treatment plan has been decided.

Totally normal to feel like that. It's like one giant rollercoaster. I used to go for a walk or have some alone time after my initial appts just to get my head straight before I came back home and became Mum again (4 kids 12, 11, 5 &4). I was cleaner once I knew but we didn't really tell anyone until we had a surgery date. 

For now just cross each bridge as you come to it and just be aware that treatment plans can change after tests. 

We are all here for whenever you need a chat, rant or a virtual hug xx

Sorry you found yourself here. I rber as clear as day and be assured the not knowing and waiting are the horrible bits...I wish things could change but once you have got next steps in the works it does get better. Hang in there. Just make sure u exercise, eat and sleep right as far as possible...as you will need to somehow function.

Sorry if its a bit tough love...but I rbered my stress levels were just horrific to the point my back was hot and shoulders so tense! It was all the firsts for me with scans, results and what to do next but you will find your feet and rely on us here where the ladies are so lovely and helpful

You take care of yourself. One day at a time.

Cx