What to expect

I'm 42, female, and have just been diagnosed with breast cancer. I'm still waiting to 'wake up' and this is the most surreal feeling I've ever experienced.

I am, what you'd otherwise consider, a generally healthy person. I have never smoked, never drink (teetotaler), eat well, and try to stay active. I do annual health check ups and blood tests, and none have come back for any markers of this. There is no family history. I'm looking for answers, but not finding any.

More details are to come in the coming weeks, but at this stage, I've been told it's grade 2 (stage not yet known) and that surgery is required within the next four weeks.

To say that I'm freaking out, is an understatement. But I'm trying to stay positive and strong.

I'm looking for insights on what to expect, what others have gone through in the first few weeks and months of such a diagnosis, how they coped, what worked and what didn't, and generally speaking, any do's and don't's (both mentally and physically).

Does the disbelief of such a diagnosis eventually wear off and do you 'just get on with it', or do you constantly wonder 'what happened'?

Thank you!