New to this group

dawnjs5k

I had not posted on this group yet because I hated to admit that I was a young woman with breast cancer. I guess I thought if I hung out on the newly diagnosed board, maybe it would go away.
I am 37, just two weeks shy of my birthday, and have been diagnosed with stage 1 ILC. It has been a crazy ride to get to this point and I honestly wonder if the diagnosis will change still. I went in for a baseline mammogram 2 weeks after we as a family found out that my mom had stage IV IDC and she had been hiding it frome everyone for over 2 years. As if that was not enough, when I went for my mammo, they found 4 areas that needed biopsied. I got the results on that Friday that said to watch it for six months or have an excisional biopsy for better testing. I saw the surgeon the next week and she asked for the tissue to go to Mayo Clinic for a second opinion. On 4/27, she called and said that Mayo had looked at the slides and I had cancer. She wanted to see me on Monday so we could discuss surgical options. I had an MRI that day and then saw her on Monday. I chose the lumpectomy direction knowing that I would have to have radiation. I just felt like I did want to go the most extreme direction right now. My husband and I have 5 children and I did not want this to impact there lives adversely. This way I would not have to change things for them. I have often regretted my decision because during the first lumpectomy, the radiologist needle localized the wrong area, so they missed where the malignancy had been. I went back for surgery to get the correct area 3 weeks later. I have now met with 2 medical oncologists that both agree that I need to take Tamoxifen and that I should have radiation. I see the radiation oncologist on Monday and will get that ball rolling. It has all been so scary and unreal, but at the same time I feel so blessed that it was caught so early. The actual tumor was 0.8 cm as a fibroadenoma on the outside, but the 0.3 cm core was the ILC. I guess I thought it was time to join a list of people my age to know that I am not the only one out there that is pre-menopausal and a mom to young children fighting such a crazy battle.

Thanks for listening!!

Dawn

lucyemmons

Dawn, you are not alone in this. I am newly diagnosed as of January 16, 2007. I elected to have the bilat mast with immediate TRAM recons. I have a family history of breast cancer. I had the genetic tests done and they came back negastive for BRCA1 and BRCA2 which means my daughter doesnt have to worry too much about getting breast cancer. good luck to you, Dawn, on your bc journey. i too was terrified when i got my dx. Mine was found on an MRI not a mamma or ultrasound. The ladies in the chatroom here are extremely kind and helpful. I don't know where I would be without their kindness and advice. Hope you come join us soon in chat. God bless you. And remember......If God brings us to it.....He willbring us thru it.

Lucy

nash

Hi, Dawn, I've seen your posts on the Newly Diagnosed board. Just wanted to say I'm about your age--just turned 39 (diagnosed right before my birthday) and I have two young kids. My mom has Stage IV IDC, also, which we've been dealing with for the past 5 years. Ironically, she'd been stable for a year, and right after my diagnosis, we found out that she's progressing again. Which really bites, b/c I can't take good care of her if I'm laid up from my cancer.

I go in for a lumpectomy July 19th, and hopefully that will be all the surgery I need. The MRI shows the tumor right up to the chest wall, so I think the surgeon is being overly optimistic, but we'll see. I have ILC. Then I'll start chemo, then rads. Don't know how I'm going to do all this plus take care of the fam, but there's not much choice in the matter.

Good luck to you!

Fit999

Hi Dawn,

I was 40, and a VERY young 40 when I was dx in Dec. I don’t have kids, but us young women, pre-menopause, have our own set of concerns. I don’t have a family history so I freaked out, then my mom freaked out. Then I freaked out that what if my mom got it, then would that make mine hereditary? All these things spinning in our heads. I had to have shots of Luprin to “shut down” my ovaries to protect them from the chemo incase I want children later. So now Im in chemo-pause. This breast cancer stuff just sucks!

There is a really fun website www.planetcancer.org which has great sayings and a really cool attitude. Its meant for young adults so lots of discussions about boyfriends, southpark references, etc.

Just keep coming here or there or other support groups and they will help you get through this hell.

Hugs,
Issa

Raye99

Hi Dawn,

Welcome love. You will find much support on this board as your continue on your journey. When I was diagnosed at 39, I would read magazine articles about ladies with bc and they were all in their 50's or 60's. I felt quite alone until I found this website.

Like Issa, I have no children (unless you count a choc Lab), but do have other concerns, menopause this early (although I got my period back today - 7 months post chemo!), what type of recon to have (I had left mast)among other worries.

Best of luck to you.
Raye

joykeeperorg

Hello everyone, My name is Chantal, 23 yrs old and I was diagnosed on the 2 Aug 07. I'm very scared and still in the shock phase I guess. I get Sentinel node biopsy and a Lumpectomy on Friday 10 of Aug to see if the cancer has spread.

pinklemonade

I too am new to this group. I find it comforting to know women out there who are in my "age group". I am 38 and was diagnosed June 5, 2007. I keep having to fight the idea that I am going to die. I am doing everything I can! It is a daily battle and sometimes I wish I were stronger...like I'm making this way to hard for myself. I don't know...I am trying - I really, really am.

nash

Hi, Pinklemonade--welcome! Sorry you joined the club. I was diagnosed June 7 at age 38 also, so we're on the same timeline. The whole thing basically sucks, so don't beat yourself up for feeling funky. It is a daily battle--my mom is Stage IV bc, and since we deal with that every day, I sort of feel like I'm going to end up there, too, no matter what. I know that statistically that's probably not the case and that things will be fine, but one's mind goes there anyhow. I try to just concentrate on the fact that whatever will be will be, and try to deal with the here and now so it doesn't get so overwhelming.

The great thing about this site is that the women here are very supportive and understanding.