Calling all ladies in their 20's

kk11

Minimacsmom - I'm sorry you found out you're a stage 3A with high grade and then also very ER positive. I know there's a grey area around that for doing fertility preservation, so it does sound like you made the right choice. It also looks like they are going to treat your cancer agressively which is good. I agree with Nanna, that it is a long road, but you'll be surprised when you're suddenly past chemo, then past mastectomy exchange, etc. Just take it one step at a time. Oh, and how nice that they put the port in during your mastectomy surgery! I wish they could have "installed" mine then, but I had to get it put in the day I started chemo, which wasn't pleasant. Ports definitely beat PICCs. I had a PICC when I was getting chemo for my molar pregnancy and it was a huge pain and caused all sorts of skin irritations!

 Nanna - Like what you said about it being an ass-kicking AC + T!

Ladies - I turn 29 this Friday on 11/11/11! My brother and sister-in-law are throwing me a birthday party to celebrate. I'm a bit bummed that quite a few of my friends can't make it, but I'm going to make the most of it with those that can!

lulujune17

Happy Birthday kk11 Wishing you the best life can give,and a very long healthy happy life with all the people you love.

God bless you all.

Love you all girls

take care and have a wonderful day

Melanie_Ann

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KK! May you be blessed with many more.

MiniMacsMom

Yay for November Birthday's KK, mine is next Wednesday!  I hope that you have the BEST day possible!

kk11

Thanks everyone!

MMM - I'll be wishing you a happy birthday next week, but for now, happy "early" birthday!

NannaBaby

Hey girls! I have been having an interesting day preparing for my colonscopy and upper endoscopy that's tomoro morning.  I wish I would have know about those potent laxatives and purgatives when I was doing chemo!  I am doing this test because my family has a history of gastric cancer and colon cancer.  I never thought about getting screening for gastric/colon cancers.  But, now it makes sense to get everything checked that can be genetic!  I get more genetic results on Friday for the PALB2 gene.  It's for genetic melanoma, gastric and pancreatic cancers of scandinavian decent.

Wish me luck for tomoro!   At least I get to be put under   I am looking forward to some propofol! LOL

MiniMacsMom

I will be thinking the best for you tomorrow.  I know get anxiety over any little test, so I'm sending happy thoughts your way   How did it come up about these other genetic tests.  People bring up BRCA all the time, but what are the other ones? 

NannaBaby

There are lots of genetic tests for cancers.  I saw a genetic counsellor who recommended the tests I should get based on my history and lifestyle. 

Check out the cancer gene census...

http://www.sanger.ac.uk/genetics/CGP/Census/

kk11

Nanna - Hope your colonoscopy went okay!

MMM - Happy Birthday!

I had my first follow-up post exchange yesterday and so far things look good. I'm still easily tired though. It actually feels like I'm more easily tired than when I had just finished chemo! How long did it take for others here to get your full energy back?

curlygirl614

Hey ladies,

KK - glad to hear you had your exchange and that things are going well! I have mine on December 2nd and I am pretty excited for new boobs and the end of this experience.

Though I keep thinking it's not really the end because I may have a recurrence of breast cancer. This is my number 1 BIGGEST fear in life right now and sometimes I have trouble not focusing on it for hours at a time.

How do those of you who are currently cancer-free cope with the fear of recurrence? I am only 26 and can't imagine living the rest of my life with this debilitating fear. Most of the time I find myself talking about recurrence like it's a sure thing- like it's definitely going to happen to me even though I've done so much to prevent it (double mastectomy, chemo). 

NannaBaby

CURLY - it's hard not to think about cancer and fear of recurrence.  I was in treatment from June 2010 until June 2011, and I am slowly going back to my normal self.  I still think/fear cancer, but it's less and less.  It will take time.  I also see a psychiatrist weekly, which helps me tremendously!  I have a history of depression and post traumatic disorder.  The best to get it out of your mind is letting out your fears.  tell someone. write it down. cry. I have some really great friends that I can speak to honestly about my feelings and fears and they don't get all freaked out.  But, some friends do get freaked out.  I hope you have someone you can share your thoughts and fears with.  You can PM me any time

kk11

Curly - I think it's normal to worry about recurrence, but the only thing we can do is to take every step possible to prevent it. We are all on the younger side here, but I like to think that we've already dealt with our big blow and have been given a fresh start to treat our bodies right! I see others abusing their bodies and I think to myself that I'm better off than them because I KNOW to take care of my body and they don't realize just how important it is.

Nanna - A year is a long time to go through treatment. I am just 7 months out since my diagnosis, but before that, I had been dealing with another health issue that lasted for 6 months (with 2 1/2 months of chemo). So it's taken a lot out of me. How are you feeling energy-wise? I don't know if it's the Tamoxifen (if it's even a side-effect), but I am so drained. I am working part time and just barely finding the energy to take care of things outside of work. It's been 7 weeks since my last chemo treatment. I just want to feel normal again!

MiniMacsMom

Curly some of the best advice I have been given is to grieve, don't feel like your a failure if you get upset or sad or you go to a deep dark place.  Its normal to do that. Don't try to "let it go"  thats hard to, but if you can try to push the thoughts away.  Thats what I tell myself.  I am stage 3 with a 16mo and sometimes I am fully convinced I won't be here to see him graduate high school despite the fact that I am getting the best care.  I am a fighter and I am ready to fight but its unrealistic to think you will be positive ALL the time   I starte 12 weeks weekly of taxol on mon and then 12 weeks of FECx4.  We are all doing everything we possibly can to stick around for our friends and family and thats all you can really do!  When I get pissy or go to a dark place, I usually go off by myself for an hour or two and read or watch glee or do something that i know makes my brain shutdown for a little while.  Good luck! 

MissRC

Hi ladies, I am happy that I found this thread. I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving!

I was 27 when I was diagnosed with DCIS with some invasion. I had a lumpectomy on 5/16/11 and then a re-excision on 5/24/11. I started chemo on 6/20/11, my last chemo treatment was 10/3/11. My chemo drugs were Taxotere, Carboplatin, and Herceptin. Started radiation on 11/1/11. 

My hair is starting to come back, but recently I have been having some bad days. I have also been thinking about re-occurrence alot.

I am unmarried, but I have been with my boyfriend for 10 years. He has been great through all of this, but I never gave myself time to grieve. I was too busy trying to keep everyone else positive. It has just hit me like a ton of bricks last week.

I also find myself being extra grouchy when someone tells me that my cancer won't come back, and I will be around  for a long time. These people saying this to me have no idea... and it really ticks me off.

Sorry... I just need to vent. We have a breast cancer support group in my town, but I am about 20 years younger than everyone there, so this group will help me greatly. Thanks ladies! : ) 

curlygirl614

Thanks Nanna, KK, and Mini. It sometimes just helps to come on these boards and know that I'm not alone - because my friends sure as heck aren't thinking about dying from cancer anytime soon like I am! And MissRC, I totally relate!

MissRC

Curlygirl614: Thanks! That's very sweet. 

kk11

MissRCd - Welcome. I was 28 when I was diagnosed with Stage 2A in April. I finished chemo on October 4th, so right around the same time. I know what you mean about people who say it won't come back. I also get "it's better that you're younger because you can tolerate treatments better" a lot from people. I don't think they realize that our young age does NOT work in our favor! It's frustrating when even people who have had family members go through this don't understand the difference in getting this at a young age. They don't realize the impact this has to our fertility and overall family planning. My husband and I had been trying for a baby, had experienced a complicated miscarriage (a molar pregnancy, for which I needed 2 1/2 months of chemo), and then I got diagnosed and we've been set back another few years. It will be at least 5 years from when we started trying before we will be able to have a baby (if everything works out), so that has been a more painful thing to deal with than any of the treatments or my mastectomy. 

Curly - I agree with you that most of my young friends don't seem to understand the severity. And they don't realize how important the next few years are in terms of prognosis. We've crossed a huge hurdle, but it's going to be a lifetime thing for us, where we are having to do more than the average person to try to prevent recurrence. I personally think we should ALL be doing certain things to prevent, even those who have never been diagnosed, but most people our age think that time is on their side and don't pay attention. I'm trying to use my experience to remind other young people around me to take care of their bodies and to do their self checks. 

 AFM - I'm finally starting to see some hair growth! It's been nearly 9 weeks since my last chemo treatment. I am hoping for at least a short boy cut look by the end of December. Also, I wanted to share with you about a conference in New Orleans for young women with breast cancer in February. I am planning on going with a number of women in my local young women's support group. If you're interested, here is the link. They have travel and conference fee waiver options if you need financial assistance. You just have to apply for the grants prior to registering.

http://www.lbbc.org/Events/Conference-for-Young-Women

ntvet

Hello all, I'm new   I'm 25, and I found a lump in the right breast, just before the armpit.  I have my first appointment on Dec 16 in the States, and hopefully will get some peace of mind.  My great grandmother died of BC and my mom has fibrous cysts.  My predicament at the moment is that I'm going to veterinary school in St. Kitts (the Caribbean), and the healthcare system here isn't equipped to deal with any kind of treatment or imaging I may need.  So, if I do end up needing...something, I don't know if that means that vet school will be put on hold.  My husband is being very supportive, and saying "everything will be OK".  I'm glad I found this forum for our age group!

MiniMacsMom

Welcome ntvet. though I wish you didn't have to join.  I am fairly new to this also, dx on 10/25 and this group of women is amazing!  Just keep asking questions and you will get the info/support you need!

 KK,  What do you think about traveling during chemo.  That conference will be the week after my first FAC treatment and also after taxol x12.  Have you heard of/do you know anyone travelling during treatment.  I thought about it... but I am just not sure.

kk11

MMM - I think it's probably best to talk to your doctor. My oncologist said that if I wanted to travel, I should try to stay within an hour from a hospital in case I get a fever, which could mean an infection. Where are you located? If you are a 1 or 2 hour flight away, it might be okay. If it's 4-5 hours, it might be a bit long. Your doctor should be able to tell you. I believe they have this conference annually, so if you can't make it this year, there is always the next year.

 ntvet - Welcome to our group. I hope your lump turns out to be benign. We are here for you either way. If it is cancer, I would suggest staying in the US where you can get the best treatment, even if it means putting vetinary school on hold. I know I couldn't have worked at all after my mastectomy and during the first half of my chemo treatments. I only went back to work part time in August, during my Taxol treatments because I had to work at least part time to maintain my benefits. It takes a lot of energy though. I'm not a student, but I know it's hard to concentrate during chemo and even still 2 months after finishing chemo, so that doesn't help either. In the end, it's up to you, but just wanted to share my thoughts and experience. 

MiniMacsMom

We are in Lex, its not too long of a flight.  I have to travel to Texas and thats 2.5 hours nonstop for different parts of my treatment, but I'm not sure its worth the risk for more of a "pleasure" thing.  I am super excited about the opportunity to meet other "like" women.

MissRC

kk11 - Thanks for understanding.

Has anyone had Herceptin? My shoulders, collar bone and back have been hurting. I asked the radiation doctor about this and he said that it is most likely the Herceptin causing the pain. Just wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience.

kk11

MMM - I would check with your doctor to see if they'd okay it during chemo. I think the biggest concern is if your white blood counts are low and you end up with an infection. They want you to be seen within 45 minutes to an hour if you have a fever. At least that's what I was told. Of course, I never once experienced it. Anyways, it would be awesome to see you there if you could make it.

MissRC - I haven't had herceptin, but I have some pain in parts of my body that I think is from some of the other chemo I received or possibly the Tamoxifen. Are you also taking Tamoxifen? 

NannaBaby

MMM I would check with ur dr about traveling. I didn't want to risk traveling. Even by car to c my inlaws. I only went for a couple days and in my third week. I made sure to pack everything with me. Meds thermometer etc. I travelled to Cuba 4 weeks after my last chemo.

MiniMacsMom

Yeah, I got the veto yesterday ;(  He said that there is nothing physically preventing me from going from his opinion, but I will be feeling so bad at that point it probably won't be worth it... I guess it will have to be next year   Is it always in New Orleans or at least somewhere warmer since is the winter?

Anonymous

New Orleans is this year. I think it was Dallas last year. I registered to go and even received a travel grant. I then found out I would be in the middle of rads so I canceled it. I do hope to go next year. I think it's put on by the young survival coalition and lbbc (living beyond breast cancer). The conference itself is called c4yw. (conference 4 young women) it does look like it would be a lot of fun and I look forward to going next year.

MissRC

kk11 - I am still waiting to hear from my Onc. about Tamoxifen.  I should find out on the 22nd if I will be taking it. How's your week going? 

kisxxoo

Hello! I am 29 and was diagnosed with idc on October 7th 2011. I had a lumpectomy on october 18th. I had since found out I am brca1+ I just finished my second round of tc. My docs have me on lupron to try and save my fertility. The hot flashes are terrible!! I will be scheduling my bmx after I finish chemo in January. They also put me on nuelesta to help get my cbcs up. The bone pain is not pleasant!! I was fortunate to have found my tumor early. I am stage 1 with no lymph node involvement and I had clear margins. I am counting down the days ofchemo I have left. I'm down to 40 days and then my hair can start growing back my onc said I can stop taking the tamoxifen when I want to try for children. I pray each day I am able to have children!!

MiniMacsMom

Kisxxoo,  congrats on being stage 1 and finding out you are BRCA + before it advances.  I feel weird congradulating you on cancer news, but its pretty awsome you caught it early.  I am realatively new to this also, but the ladies here are awsome!   Good luck and keep us updated. 

amandabiv

Hey ladies, I dont know if any of you still get on here since i see that most of the post are from 2010 but I sure hope you are and all of you are doing well! I am 28 yrs old and was just diagnosed with Breast Cancer Friday. Though I am not scared of what is in store for me I am totally lost. I am suppose to meet the surgeon Dec.15th and I guess then I will find out more of what is to expect. I dont even know what kind it is just that its in my ducts. The part of me that is scared is telling my 3 kids and it being right here at Christmas. Everyone of my family and friends are wonderful and being so supportive but in some ways I feel alone because none of them has been through this. I am hoping that all of you wonderful people can be my friends that understand where I am coming from. Know that I pray for all of you..may God be with you all!