Introduction and my story

doggirl25

Introduction and my story

doggirl25

Hello! I'm 25 and diagnosed with IDC, mucinous subtype in Nov 2008. Stage 1, ER/PR+, HER2-, .8mm and .3mm with extensive DCIS throughout. BLM Dec 2008 with immediate reconstruction...in the middle of the reconstruction process (at full C's now!) I was thinking I should start to play the lottery since it seems I have some pretty crazy odds! (I'm sure a lot of you young ladies feel the same...maybe we can start a lottery pool!) I found out last week my Oncotype score was 24...much higher than my onc anticipated, so I made the decision to have chemo. 11%-15% chance of recurrance...onc said it was a toss-up on whether or not chemo would benefit me. I decided any chance I had to kill this thing for good, I should take. This appt was last Wednesday...on Friday I found myself and my boyfriend of 3 years sitting in the fertility specialist's office and starting the IVF process to freeze embryos. ("Uh hunny, can I have your sperm?") As soon as this is over I'll start chemo, hopefully by the end of February. The sooner the better. 4 rounds of TC, then Tamoxifen for 5 years. II honestly wasn't too phased by the mastectomy...never really liked the girls too much and my new ones are MUCH perkier! Not looking forward to chemo, but I'm sure once I start and know what to expect, I'll get through it just like the surgery (and be able to change my hairstyle every day!) Having a diagnosis of cancer at 25 was definitely shocking, but also eye-opening as I previously had an invincibility complex, and I feel lucky I found it as soon as I did. I've also changed my diet completely and am looking for some other healthy ways to improve my lifestyle, as well as anything that can help decrease my chances of it metastasizing. Does anybody here recommend any kind of alternative treatments? Cancer-fighting foods you swear by? I figure anything I can do in addition to the chemo/Tamoxifen will help, if only my psyche. Anyway, wanted to do the introduction thing, as I've been a lurker for awhile. Hope everyone is doing well!

Jess

shockedat39

Hi Jess,

I just found this post and I'm sorry it has sat so long without a reply.  I think your attitude is amazing!  Major kudos to you for taking control of everything from your recurrence chances to your babies!!  Your outlook is going to carry you through this and you're going to do great

I just barely qualify as an "under 40" young woman with breast cancer (I'm 39).  My surgery was also in December 08.  Somehow you've beat me to the full Cs, though, LOL.

I hate it for you that you are dealing with this at 25 years old but you are absolutely inspiring. 

Best of luck to you and please keep posting to let us know how you're doing.

Diane

mocame

Jess, I'm sorry you're going through all of this. 

Checkout the Alternative Treatment and Healthy Recipes threads.  There is a lot of good stuff there and I'm still learning and trying to figure it out myself.

Best wishes!

DV8Q

Hello just saying Hi and yes wigs are a whole lot funner than I expected! I got expanders put in (almost full) and the notion that I will never have sagging breast is a nice perk too. How is the chemo going? I will start txol (later today) Cheers