Younger Survivors?

Carmelle

wow, it is hard to have to go back in isn't it? especially with the young child.
i was 38 at dx, had 1 yr old and 3 yr old. very upset at what being out of it for a year did to them.
i had bilateral but implants. i guess it depends on how you can handle the recovery. i know one woman who couldn't lift her arm(she had 1 side) for 6 weeks another who did much better.
with the hysterectomy, i had an ooperectomy done laparscopically and have done well. i did not have the uterus as well. i was concerned for intimacy issues with my poor hubby. my surgeon told me intercourse is more likely to be painful with the full removal.
post ooph i take an aromatose inhibitor, not tamox so the uterine cx risk from that was not considered.
so, sorry i didn't fill out the questionnaire but good luck with your choices.
michelle

CarrieDe68

I was originally dx in 1999 shortly after my second daughter was born with stage 2, 3 pos nodes, er+. I was just 30 years old at the time. I had the usual... AC, taxol, rads, then tamoxifin.

Tamoxifin failed me miserably. I had pain walking in the fall of 2002 which turned out to be mets to the pelvis and spine. I had rads, zoladex, arimidex, and zometa. Tumor markers and PET scans have declared me to have no active cancer to date. I am so very grateful for that .

In the spring of 2004, Zoladex was not as effective. I started menstrual cycles again. I had a complete hysterectomy including ovaries.

I have been in remission from stage IV for 3 years and BC a total of 6 years. I am absolutely fine No Evidence of Disease!!!!!

moonie

Hi Allison!
I am not exactly 'young' at 48, but I did have a Tram flap, but only on one side. I would think being younger would only help you recover more quickly from it. Everyone is different, but I am very happy with my tram. I don't have any issues with the loss of the ab muscle and I was back to work (desk job) in 3 weeks, tho my ps seems to be a bit more aggressive than most. It is a long surgery, but the results made it worth it for me. I am sure with a young child you will need some help for awhile.
I also had an ooph laproscopically which was an easy surgery. For me, at my age that was an easy decision. At your age it would be tougher. There are also drugs you can take to 'shut down' your ovaries, if that is something you want to consider.
You might want to post your bi-lat Tram question in the Breast Reconstruction section?
Good Luck to you!

faith_m

WOW,, this is weird,, Just looking at the posts, and found this... I posted this on 2-27-03.... Well, Now im 40 with stage IV....

precious071003

I was diagnosed at 30 although I found my lump at 27. My then doctor thought I was too young and told me he was more concerned about the mole under my arm than the lump in my breast.

I was diagnosed on 07/10/03. On 07/24/03 had lumpectomy and 17 lymph nodes removed. Only one was positive. On 08/14/03 had mastectomy and bilat recon (was recommended, I didn't want it at first). Had 8 yummy rounds of chemo (4 a/c and 4 taxotere). Finished up on 02/19/04. Doing great. Loving life.

Hugs!
Julie

mbh2369

I am not a survivor yet as I was only diagnosed last Friday. I don't even know how I made it through this last week. I have been on auto-pilot. I just turned 36 last month and last week I was diagnosed with IBC. I have been taking tests all week and will get the results on Tuesday when I see my oncologist. I have no doubt that it has spread to at least some of my lymphnodes as there is swelling. I saw my surgeon on Friday and he said that they have chemo and rads planned for me. Once the tumor shrinks I will have a radical mastectomy and then backdoor rads again. I am more afraid of the surgery, rather than losing the breast. It is poison to me. I hate it and want it off my body. But I never had surgery and am a bit afraid of that. They nurses at the hospital were teasing me a bit last week because they gave me my first IV. I have always been healthy, until now. I still can't believe that I have breast cancer, much less such a rare and aggressive form.

I am single and have no children. I am not sure that I want any at this point, but it's disheartening to find out that it may not even be an option anymore. My career always came first, which I hear is part of the reason why I am in this situation, as that put me more at risk.

Thank you for listening. I hope that I can post again in the future as a true survivor.

Marsha

cher

Hello Mel. I am 34 and was diagnosed with BC in Nov 2004. I had a mastectomy, doing chemo, then rads, then reconstruction. I am new at this too and it scares me to. I was to be married on Feb 1, 05 but had to postpone because I was in the middle of chemo. I have no children an dwill likely not have a family now as I was estrogen + and am too scared to have an estrogen surg in my body as I do not want a reoocurance. My and my fiance have decided that we will travel and make the most of life....children are not all what they are chalked up to be!

debvdr

Hi,
I am writing a book about the feelings associated with Breast Cancer. Would you be so kind as to consider participating in such a book? If so, please respond to this message or send a separate email to bcbook@msn.com. I will then send you more information and the form on which we are gathering information. Your assistance will help those who follow us on their journey through breast cancer. Kind regards, Debbie Van De Riet

faith_m

Marsha,
YES, You ARE a survivor. You dont have to be cured to be called a survivor. I am stage IV, have treatment every 4 weeks for the last 2 and a half years, and call myself a survivor. Until you are gone, you ARE a survivor!! Do not think of yourself anyother way. You are LIVING with cancer.

Leee

Diagnosed at 36 yrs, 2 tumors @ 1.5 cm each, no nodes, ER+,
bilateral,A/C, recon, Lupron, Femara..

Mom dx'd at 42 yrs with bc Pagets..20 yr survivor.
Grandma passed at 41 of bc when mom was 7 yrs old.

lilkymama

I was 27 when diagnosed with stage III bc. I had chemo, mastectomy to the bc side and radiation. It has been 2 years since I was diagnosed and I feel good. I take Arimidex every day and Lupron injections once every 4 months. I will be 30 in November.

EastsideFan

I was 22 with my first dx. I did lumpectomy, CMF+vincristine chemo, and radiation. Some of the treatments and drugs they give now, weren't available (or weren't offered to me) 15 years ago, so there was no putting my ovaries to sleep. I did not have any problems with fertility, and now have 2 healthy children. So it is not a given that you can't have kids. I'm on my 2nd dx now, DCIS, busy making decisions on what to do next. Best of luck -
Sharon

Irocjuju

Tere,

I was DX at age 27 two weeks before my 28th birthday. This was also two months after the birth of my daughter. I've gone through a roller coaster of emotions, but have resolved to beat this. Some people don't believe it, but attitude really does make all the difference in the world. Just keep your head up. Think of how much medicine and technology have and continue to advance. My mother died of a different cancer when I was 12 and she was 46. From the day she was DX she was very negative and died quickly. Where in Texas are you? I'm in El Paso. I find the most frustrating thing about all of this is not having people my age to relate to. If you ever want or need to please email me at Irocjuju@hotmail.com. Good luck and God bless!

Julee

HollyPA

Hi Allison, At your young age, I would wait on the hyst. If it has been less than a year since your peroid stopped, it could come back! Mine did! Two times! The third time thru chemo, it finally quit! YIPPEE for me, but then again, I was finished having kids and am a bit older than you are
Now, I want a hyst and no ob/gyn will do it unless I test positive for either BRCA 1 or 2. So, guess that makes my mind up on the genetic testing, eh? LOL
How the heck do you vote on your poll? or do you enter answers on your end?
love peace blessings ^i^
HollyPA

Dragonfli

Hi ya Holly:

Great to see you here...:)!!!!
You know Holly, when I first went to chat in 2003, seeing your goodnights or byes followed with ^i^...^i^...^i^...( angels) really made an impact on me.
You will always be Holly with angels...:).

Hugssss
Barb

sriley

Marsha

Hang in there Marsha. You will do fine. I was diagnosed with an aggressive tumor in March. Had my mastectomy, reconstruction and have completed my A/C chemo and start Taxol next week. It has been TOUGH some days but not as bad as I thought it would have been. I just keep my faith and rely on the support of wonderful friends who have supported me. You will get through it. Us girls are made of tough stuff!

marejo

Hi, I, too, was diagnosed last week Friday. At this point all I know is I have breast cancer in my right brest. The tumur is a little bigger than a quarter (or so they think) I am planning on having a bilateral mastectomy because I have atypical hyperplasia cells which are typical in women who may develop breast cancer. I am 45 years old and have decided that having both breasts removed would be wise. There are no palpaple lumps under my arms at this point and I'd love to hear that no nodes were involved. I am a realist though, and I'm sure that isn't the case. I am scared to death right now. Just terrified. I'm not sure how I got through to this point.

On Tuesday I will have my scan to see if the cancer is elsewhere and am very afraid of that as well.

Thanks for listening all.

Mary Jo

gmarlo

just wanted to check on this email from FaithM how she is doing?

SherriesHusband

Allison,
My wife has been diagnosed 4 times now. The first at the age of 25 then 27, next 29 and then 32. She is now 32 and receiving treatment for stage 4 metastatic BC that has progressed to the lung and media steinum. She had a bilateral mastectomy and a tram after the second diagnosis and then had a hysterectomy after the third. The tram posed a few problems with muscle limitations in the torso. As far as the hysterectomy - it brings about a lot of changes for a young lady. Was your cancer er+?

1964

Allison, my name is Mary Jo and I was diagnosed when I was 26. I am now 40 and 15 year survivor. I know the terrorizing thought of cancer coming back. Last month my general practioner had me get a bone scan. A week later they called me and told me I had bone cancer and they made me an appt. to see my oncologist. After seeing my doctor and having a pet scan and mri, I was told that there was no sign of cancer-it was just the scar tissue of broken bones. I was so happy. I am doing a study to see if i'm BRAC1 positive. If I am positive, I will be having a hysterectomy next month. Women who carry this gene have a greater chance of ovarian cancer in their 40's. I too would have liked to have had another child, but that was not possible for me either. I just thank God that I have a beautiful, healthy daughter! If you would like to talk more my email is maryjogoebel@fuse.net

1964

Hi Mary Jo, my name is Mary Jo too. I am 40 years old and I know how frightened you are. I am a 15 year bc survivor, and only last month I had 3 lumps removed thank heavens all were oil cysts. I also had a bone scan and my family doctor's nurse called me and told me I had bone cancer. I felt like a freight train hit me. After seeing my oncologist and having a pet scan and mri done, I was informed that I had no cancer at all. Three weeks of waiting and not sleeping, and thinking I was going to die. My husband wants to kill my family doctor for terrifying us like that. If you would like to talk some more my email is maryjogoebel@fuse.net.

sdrayton

Hi there.

I've been absent from the boards for a long time. Nothing personal, I just couldn't deal with thinking about cancer everyday anymore.

I am 33 now, but I was diagnosed just before my 32nd birthday, in November of 2003. I, too, had two doctors tell me I'm too young before I insisted on a mammogram which led to an ultrasound, then a needle biopsy and subsequent diagnosis. I had chemo first, 5 rounds of CAF, then -- I can still hardly believe it -- a lumpectomy (I had a 6 cm mucinous carcinoma), 4 rounds of taxotere and 33 radiation treatments.

I started tamoxifen November 1st, 2004 and have been doing fine on it. The bummer part: I'm in menopause, probably permanently. It's been a year since I completed chemo and nary a spotting yet. I have no children, and although I never really wanted them, to have my body tell me absolutely not is surprisingly difficult.

The good news is that I kicked it. I kicked stage III cancer and am healthy once again.

Live strong, ladies! Every one of us is a survivor!

Hugs,
shelby

BethNY

shelby I love your hair!!!! It looks great!

I just read through this entire thread, and I sure would love to hear about all the girls that posted in 2002, and 2003, to see how everyone's doing.

It's hard to believe that my one year anniversary is right around the bend.

I was dx 8-31-04 at age 26. 1.5 cm IDC, one positive intra mammory lymph node, micromets to the sentinal node, ER+, her2+++.

did chemo, then went for bilaterals with DIEP reconstruction, and I'm currently taking herceptin.

We are getting younger and younger...

but something I've found a lot, is that the young girls I know with cancer have the best attitude about it. We are tough cookies as my ONC. loves to say.

here's to fighting the good fight (and winning)

shonda

I thought that I would ad my input to the hysterectomy ?. I am 33 and I had a complete one done about 3 months ago. I had cyst on my overies and mushy uterus. They gave it a huge name well the cyst were not cancerous thank goodness.I had problems with infection that took 8 weeks to recover from.Certain positions do bother me during intercourse, but the sex drive that they say u may loose I have not lost. So other than The infection and the small amout of pain I do well. I do take cenestin it seems to help with the hot flashes and the mood swings. I guess what Im saying is I would do it again what I experience now is better than what I was going though.

scaredmom

To all of you girls, it's really amazing how many of you are so young and have breast cancer. I'm 38 and I thought I was too young to get this awful disease. I just found out last Wed. 08-24-05 that I have Invasive Duct Carcinoma in my right breast. I have to get a mastectomy no other choice because I have to infected lumps in the same breast. They want to remove both even though my left is okay for now. Not sure what to do. They also tell me they can do reconstruction at the same time. What do you girls think, and how bad is it (recovery). And what's the best way to go if I have them recon.?

motherof4dx42105

Hi!

In my opinion, the best reconstruction route is immediate TRAM flap, as long as you have some tummy flab. I was diagnosed at 36, in April 2005, Single mastectomy. Recovery was expected to be 6-8 weeks, according to my Plastic Surgeons disability certification for my employer. That was my choice, before I had my surgery. I wasn't able to have what had wanted due to another tumor found, and a fungal infection, in my incision. But, that would still be what I would choose.

livnlife

Hi all!

I was diagnosed Dec. '04 at the age of 34. I never in a million years thought this would ever happen to me. (Didn't we all?) IDC, stage 2, grade 3, two pos. lymph nodes, er/pr/her neg. I had a mod. rad. mastectomy with immediate DIEP reconstruction. 4 tx of A/C, 4 tx of taxotere with xeloda(trial to see if helpful in early bc tx of high risk patients). Right now I'm almost half done with my rads tx. Can't wait to be done with all the txs.

My fear, like many who already had children at time of dx, was leaving my children motherless. What an unfair thing. I can handle bc, the tx, the other horrible possibilities, but why should my innocent children have to pay the price by growing up without a mom?

I was thrilled to see an old post from '03 (this is my first time on this thread) from a long term survivor (Wyn). So often we see and hear of so many recurrances that we begin to think that there are no long term cancer free survivors. I'm happy to hear they're out there! I hope I'll be one in 20 years or so.

Scaredmom,
The one regret I have is not having a bilat. mast. with recons. If the Docs are suggesting it, I would definately do it. Good luck to you and all on this site!

Michelle

Nickig

Michelle-
I was dx with IDC exactly 1 yr ago on the 7th. (At the age of 36.) I went thru the exact same fears of leaving my 2-3 yr old motherless. I had bilateral mast., 4AC, 4 taxotere. I was ER/PR/HER neg. too. Stage 2 grade 3, 1 node positive.

I was happy to learn that a woman I went camping with last wknd is going on 21 or 22 years cancer free. She was dx at the age of 34 in 1984. She had a bilateral mastectomy and radiation. That's it. Chemo wasn't offered to her back then. She has all of her nodes gone as they did the total mastectomy back then. She hasn't had any lymphedema problems or recurrances. So...I hope that makes you and others here, feel a little more confident.

Just keep the faith, strength and courage and we can tell someone our story 20 years from now, who is just entering her journey...or not...maybe there will be a cure!!!! Lets hope and pray.

God Bless.

Nicki

dawn28

Hi, I saw your artical and was shocked....How are you doing 2 yrs later???/ ..I was diagnosed in April 05 and have had bi-lat mast and reconstruction but I dont feel that chemo or rad are necessary....If any thing email me at yahoo.

joe40

Hi Kath glad to read your story I am about to have radiation and they didnt get clear margins with me so i am a bit worried my tumour was to close to the chest wall and a rexcision was not an option. The surgeoun thought a masectomy would not have helped either so here's hopeing.