Coping with Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment While Facing Job Loss

My surgery is scheduled for 10/25. I’m still waiting on genetic testing to see which surgery…. Lumpectomy or double mastectomy… My husband is amazing too but this diagnosis has not stopped him 😅 and I’m post menopause and my desire is just not there but I won’t tell him no!

Cancer is lonely. From reading these posts and from personal experience it seems like family is just not there. My sisters have yet to sit down with me and spend any real time with me and it's been 4 months. I asked one one to come over for a visit because I just needed to talk. Well she did but was there 30 minutes, talked about her vacation then said she had to leave because she had to go see her boyfriend. My husband is decent and caring but I've learned to not show too much emotion. I feel like I have to be the strong one. Also I asked a personal question about appearance, a what if question, and the response was I would just wear a T-shirt (you know for personal interaction). And after I was first diagnosed he would brag about how pretty my boobs looked. Wiw. This is all too insensitive to me and it hurts.

It is so hard, I am so sorry I wish I had more words of encouragement, I guess that’s why they recommend these support groups ❤️

My genetic screening showed 19% risk of breast cancer and my mammogram "all clear". I had cancer. I found it 2 weeks later. Invasive ductile carcinoma grade 3. Stage 1. I went through chemo and I am 2 weeks in recovery from my mastectomy. I chose a double mastectomy. In my case I made the right choice. The pathology showed I still had cancerous tissue. Make the choice that you are most comfortable with. 🩷 Also, recovery feels like mastitis to me. Lots of pressure. Take your meds like clockwork. Ask if you can use ice packs. Sleep as much as you can. When you get to day 7 you will likely feel a smidge better. By 2nd week you can see the light at the end of the tunnel for recovery. Best wishes for a quick recovery.

Oh wow. 😕 My thoughts and prayers are with you. I don't understand breast cancer. Mine was a grade 2 and stage 1. Genetic testing showed 3 percent of proliferation rate. I am hornone positive and HER negative. They were recommending lumpectomy with radiation 20 treatments following and letrozole for 5 years. Then at one of my many appointments the doctor said I qualified for a study. I am now pending radiation treatment (one treatment, higher dosage, very focused where it hits the tumor and slightly outside edges - my tumor had to be less than 2cm to qualify - among other things). Then a lumpectomy 8 to 12 months later. I'm followed with blood work, MRI type mammograms and still the medication. Wish me luck y'all. And I'll take any prayers. I'm still concerned and a little anxious but I know what I'm going through is no where close what people have had to go through.

@Melani….. PLEASE don’t let me get started on FAMILY…. 😢 Other than my husband and grown children who live out of state… WHAT FAMILY??? This is the MOST ALONE I have EVER felt in my entire life! I am only child who grew up without a father… my grandmother, mother and sister/cousin ALL died of pancreatic cancer… I shared with another cousin what I was going through… She shared with her mother who is now the matriarch of the family and she nor anyone else from my family has called to see how I’m doing since my surgery. I’m scheduled for surgery #2 tomorrow and no one in my family knows what I’m going through! It’s pretty sad actually! Thank GOD for my church and the few friends/associates in my small circle! I was having a moment earlier… Just tired of having to be strong, anxious about the surgery… It’s 3:44am and I’m WIDE AWAKE! Surgery scheduled for 1pm today. I guess I will rest when they put me under 😩😩😩 One thing for sure, my diagnosis has revealed soo much to me, but it is a VERY lonely journey! 😞

I forgot to add… my husband saw me holding back the tears and he says…. Do you need a hug? I’M LIKE WTH…. DON’T ASK ME… JUST GRAB ME AND HOLD ME🤦🏽‍♀️ For the people that say, let me know if you need anything! HA! If I do need something, I WILL NOT be calling you! That statement is a waste of breath to me! I find that statement to be empty and just something to say in the moment! 😓

Hello Danielle. What a message. My heart goes out to you. I will be thinking of you and praying for you today and ongoing. Thank goodness for your husband and church family. We are in the process of changing churches. We have only been there 3 times and to a small group once. They already feel like my family and home. One of the leaders reached out to us and per our permission, the church is praying for me. During this awful stressful time, comfort does come from God. Oh BTW, I was up at 3 am also. Just couldn't sleep. Weight of the world I guess. I get uncertain about my treatment choice at times. The more I study and hear God's word the more it helps my journey. Sending 💕🙏 you way. When your up to it let me know how you are doing.

@ Danielle, just wanted to let you know that I prayed for you (and will continue to do so). God's got you, he is right beside you surrounding you with love and protection.

@Melani THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH FOR YOUR PRAYERS 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 I do not take them for granted 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽 I feel His presence…. GOD IS SO 🥰GOOD and has shown me by the powerful prayer warriors He has placed in my path! I AM SO GRATEFUL ❤️🙏🏽 I hope you are doing well!!🙏🏽🙌🏽🙏🏽

Thank you I am. I go in tomorrow morning for my treatment. It's one high powered and focused gamma ray tx (GY38). Then blood work Friday. Then another biopsy 2 weeks out. I know what my treatment is currently isn't near as bad as others so I'm m thankful for that. I still get my worries though. It all seems so cold and impersonal and I really don't know what to expect tomorrow. Or for the potential side effects of a higher dosage like this ( I'm in a study/trial). Sharing like this helps. And prayers for sure❤️.

Danielle, I guess you are doing okay ?

@Melani, Yes, I am doing well.. THANK GOD! Bracing myself for the journey of going through radiation! I too am concerned. I’ve heard so many horror stories. You only have 1 day of radiation? What is the purpose of the biopsy? What were you originally diagnosed with?

Melani, how was your treatment? And your biopsy? You doing ok? 💝

Melanie and Danielle I pray that God covers you both in his strength and courage. Know that you are not alone. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

Thank you so much Mia! I needed to see your words in this moment!🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 Melani, how are you feeling?

@ Tammy, Danielle, Mia and others...my treatment went well. Anxiety of unknown may have been the worst part. Sore for a while, each day better. The biopsy hurts cuz they have to take several core samples (4 to 5) out. I have this image of a staple gun on my breast...ouch. Lol. I need to change that thought! Anyway, this Wednesday is another biopsy. They are done for the study (and maybe me? I'll have to ask the radiologist oncologist when I see him in a couple weeks). I start my letrozole this week. Ugh, I know we all have to go through this. It helps to share. Prayers for all of y'all. I feel for you gals.

@Danielle. Original diagnosis was stage 1(a or b m'm not sure which one). Hormone + HER-. Tumor was 1.6 cm. But at time of radiation, MRI showed 2 cm. Still small though. My oncotype was very low ..3 I think. Genetic test was negative. So on surface that all looks/sounds good. It's just weird though, others are stage 1 and get mastectomies. Also they get radiation plus chemo. I guess it's the specifics from tests and family history and etc that treatments can vary greatly even at a stage 1.

Cara H, how are you doing? Sending prayers to you!

Melani, sorry to hear about the pain, makes me shiver typing this! I am a BIG baby when it comes to pain! Bless you!!!! I’m praying for you that tomorrow goes smoothly and quickly? Keep us posted ♥️

Hi Melani! I’m glad to see your treatment went well. I’m sorry you’re in pain! Prayerfully you have some relief by now 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 I start radiation this Thursday 12/14…My anxiety is through the roof😔 I’m trying so hard not to complain especially after seeing others journey! Having a cancer diagnosis is not necessarily the end but the emotions around having it and fear of the unknown is so draining! MAY GOD saturate us ALL in His peace and give us His strength to endure🙌🏽🙏🏽🙌🏽

@danielle C. I so relate to ALL you just posted. It's funny how the anxiety is almost the worst part. Praying helps for sure. And I try not to complain too because I know I am blessed that I'm not going through half of what many other women are going through. Having said that, with each of our personal situation it is still emotional. Thinking of you and others💕

Hello ladies! I’ve been hesitant to look at this site since being diagnosed in Dec 2023. I have stage 1 breast cancer. It was caught early so prognosis is good 🙏🏻. Getting a lumpectomy tomorrow. Here at my pre-op appt now. I am so glad I’m not alone feeling that loneliness in this. No one wants to talk about it with me. They just say you’ll be ok. But this is the scariest thing to go through and to be alone makes it even worse. All you ladies have my support!!!! We are all going through this. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 prayers and well wishes to you all.

First , I want to give you encouragement to go to support groups on Zoom or in person.

Oops,I pushed the button too soon! I was operated on in July, 2023, had radiation treatment following a lumpectomy for a stage one triple negative. A radiologist insisted upon my having an MRI, it was how my ductile cancer was discovered. I am in my 70’s and very grateful I believe finding a group you can go to is important, and I will go again.