How Did You Process Your Initial Cancer Diagnosis?

Time helped me. Then education, getting a good care team in place, finally getting some healthy habits in place (no alcohol, healthy foods), exercise, counseling. And understanding my diagnosis, like you I have DCIS, grade 2, but at a stage 1, tumor was 1.6 cm. Oncotype score came back with excellent numbers, 2% for recurrence, 2% for chemo benefits (so only did radiation). I am 100% progesterone and estrogen positive and HER2-. I was fortunate to be in a study and did a one time radiation of 38 GYs. Tumor is shrinking. Doctors reassure me more than once that it has not spread to the lymph nodes (through blood work, Ultrasound, CT scan, etc). Lumpectomy pending for this fall. Of course on AIs. But yes, I needed the time to get through the first part of this. When you first get diagnosed there isn't anyone to hold your hand and walk you through it telling you what needs to be done. That lead to second guessing for me. All at a time when you want to do nothing but have someone take charge but that's when you have to get going and get your plan in place. It's all up to the patient. I had to get through that first I was angry. Not now though.

My care team, husband and grown daughters, along with a very supportive extended family and friends helped me a great deal. I was diagnosed on April 2 with stage 2 grade 1. Met my care team the next week and in surgery for lumpectomy the following week. It was so fast I didn’t have a chance to digest it until recovery after my surgery which includes lymph nodes biopsy. Lymph nodes positive so now getting prepped for 19 sessions of radiation. My care team has been on it from day one. We’ve never experienced this in my family. We were / are quite surprised at the diagnosis. But the care team was so thorough, knowledgeable, supportive and so kind. My husband has been a compete angel through it all too. I am so blessed. All of this just gave me the strength and focus to take care of this. During recovery from lumpectomy, is when it all started to settle in. That’s when I made up my mind to get myself as fit as possible to beat this for good. 😊. No alcohol. More fruits and vegetables and steps to reduce stress and anxiety. Show my self a little love 💕 I wish the best outcome to everyone as they go through their journey. 💞

That initial shock and disorientation after receiving a cancer diagnosis is something many patients experience, even with early-stage findings like yours. Processing such news often happens in waves - from that initial numbness where normal research instincts might shut down, to gradually accepting the reality and then moving into action mode. Many community members find it helpful to take advantage of the support resources offered by their medical teams, whether that's connecting with others who've been through similar experiences or working with counselors who specialize in helping patients navigate these feelings.