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@bcfightr24, we're sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. The first few weeks are some of the toughest. Everything is overwhelming, and you're just trying absorb this new, huge reality that is before you. It's scary, and hard to manage the anxiety, and everything feels unknown. It's great that you found a mental health therapist.

We've heard many times from different members about instances where they experienced what we would describe as "toxic positivity." All of the feelings that you are experiencing are normal, and it is not wrong for you to express them or feel them as you are experiencing. Like @salamandra shared, it's often that people are not able to manage their own fears and anxiety related to your diagnosis, and they respond in turn by shutting you down and encouraging you to have "positive thoughts." Try checking out this article, which talks about toxic positivity in relation to breast cancer, and some responses you can use when people say that to you:

Please keep us up-to-date on how you are doing. We do offer free weekly meet-ups over Zoom with other individuals going through active treatment for early stage breast cancer. You can take a look at the dates and times, and register for them here:

The ones you would want to join are the In Treatment for Breast Cancer groups, which are for individuals with an early stage breast cancer. They are on Tuesdays at 1pm EST and Thursdays at 6pm EST. It can be especially helpful when you're in the beginning like you are right now to hear from folks who are a little further in the process, and they will understand this part of your experience in a way that no one else in your life can since they're not going through it.

Let us know if you have any questions. We're here to support you! 🤗