The Day of Diagnosis: What was it like for you?
We all have a "before" and an "after." There is no script for how to hear life-changing news. This is a space to talk about the "in-between"—that moment in the doctor's office and the hours that followed.
- What was that visit to the doctor like for you?
- What do you remember most about the room or the conversation?
- How did you process the news in those first few hours?
- What thoughts or feelings hit you in that moment?
- What did you do immediately after you walked out of the clinic doors?
- Where did you go, or who was your first call?
I was driving home on a Saturday my bra strap fell I put it back and there it was the lump. I had an appointment with my Gynecologist on Monday he made appointments for mammogram and ultrasound on Tuesday the nice Doctor who read the results of the ultrasound told me she did not like what she saw she did the biopsy that day. Now I wait 24 hours. She called as we waited by the phone the words “you have breast cancer” after that life just seems very fuzzy it was one appointment after another the hospital I get treatment at is acreited breast cancer hospital so there were lots of appointments for during the last month then my husband decided to take me to Arizona to visit grandkids. While I am there I get a call “I am so sorry you have advanced breast cancer metastasis in your liver” That was January 2020. I love my doctors as of today I am on a chemo holiday. I have picked up some illnesses along the way, neuropathy so bad I have to use a walker.
Thank you for being part of our community and sharing your experience. A cancer diagnosis is a whirlwind! Have you discovered our sister site for people living with advanced or metastatic breast cancer? https://advancedbreastcancer.net/ You may find useful information and support there. Thinking of you. All the best, Kathy (Team member)
I cried and cried and cried all the way home. I was devastated!! Not again I thought!! I had just passed the 5 year mark for my breast cancer and now this? It’s not even fair!
I am so sorry! Recurrence is so disheartening and scary! Here's an article from our sister site for those living with breast cancer about breast cancer recurrence. I thought it might interest you. Warmly, Kathy (Team member)
It was a day of black and white, joy and disappointment followed by being scared. The hospital I’m treated at has a personal portal that all your medical info goes into. Therefore I see test results before the doctors. That morning I got my biopsy results from my prostate. In reading it, I somehow missed the cores that had cancer. All I saw was no cancer and went to work telling everyone I was cancer free. About 1 pm my pcp calls and sez you have cancer. You could have knocked me over with feather. I sat in the break room for awhile, just sitting, in shock. And so began the journey that I’m still on today. Been treated and doing well but have a host of side effects from treatment. Just passed 3 years in May.
Wow! Thank must have been quite a shock. Did you have anyone to offer you some support as you sat there, trying to take it all in? What kinds of side effects are you dealing with? In addition to the Cancer-Community.com resources, you may be interested in checking out our sister community https://prostatecancer.net/ as well. Wishing you all the best, Kathy (Team member)
I found out on Friday April 3, the radiologist Dr. (it was some lady) calls me on my cell phone and she's frantically trying to tell me that my MRI I had just had showed a mass on my lower spine and she's like "you have cancer" without anymore tests being done or anything, she hadn't even spoken to my doctor that ordered the MRI yet!! I was on my way there when she called. I felt like that was handled very unprofessionally. The whole thing has just been one big mess. Here it is the 26th and I still don't know what's going on? I'm seeing another doctor tomorrow for a 2nd opinion because no seems to listen to me, or give me any answers, they don't seem to know what to do or what's going on? Lack of communication and big delays in my care.
much, much better!! I’ve had my surgery in may and I’m seeing him next week for my follow up appointment. He did a wonderful job! It was one of his biggest surgeries! 10 hours it took. Thank you! So glad to hear this! All the best, Kathy (Team member)
