28 yrs old with Breast Cancer Stage I

jwaldher

Hi Ladies:

Well to begin my story, in April I discovered a lump. In May I made a doctors appointment. The doctor told me that I was wearing the wrong type of bra but that she would schedule an ultrasound just in case. The ultrasound came back "suspicious" with no definite answers. My husband encouraged me to get a second opinion,which I did. The second doctor just sent me to a surgeon. My surgeon said let's take it (the lump/mass) out and put it in a jar. She said that it isn't part of my body so let's remove it and then find out what it is. I thought that this was a great idea. So last Friday she removed it. Only to find out that it was a 1.3 cm cancerous mass! Well I'm shocked, my surgeon is shocked, and my husband is shocked! I met with her today, my surgeon, and we reviewed the path lab report. Apparently I had a grade 3 IDC with DCIS. She reviewed my options and gave her recommendations. I've decided to have a double masectomy. I'm curious to know what other with BC women think? Are their any others my age who have had this? What would you do? The reasons I've chosen the double masectomy are simple. I'm young with an aggresive form of cancer. I've my whole life to live so I'm not letting my boobs take me out early Also I have small boobies so thereisn't much to remove anyways I do not want to have years of worrying and wondering. Just take my boobies now and my margin of cancer reoccuring is very small.   

Anonymous

jwaldher - so sorry that you are in our club.  I thought I was young at the age of 44 when I was diagnosed!   You are not the first young woman that I have come across on these boards, but most are late 40's on up.  There is an organization called young survival coalition (www.youngsurvival.org) that was designed for young breast cancer survivors like yourself.  I know there are others on the boards.  You will find a lot of support, and good information here on what to expect with surgery and the other specifics of your treatment. 

I wish you the best.  You might want to check out the surgery/mastectomy threads for info on bilaterals.  It sounds like you have a great attitude, which helps us get through these times, right?!

Anonymous

I just noticed you are in Seattle - I am also in the general area of Seattle.  There is a Gilda's Club in Seattle which may have info on young survivor groups in this area!  I hate to say welcome, but....welcome .  Too many of us Seattle sisters here.  We have a great thread called "Crazy, sexy cancer in Seattle" in the chemotherapy forum.  Lots of information on specific doctors, plastic surgeons, oncs etc. on there.

jwaldher

Thanks for the information. I will look up the Gilda's Club. Are they associated with the SCCA? That is where I am getting my treatment. I will will for the chemo forum since i start that towards the end of August.

Anonymous

They are not affiliated with SCCA - I'm going to send you a private message, or PM - which you can retrieve in the upper right corner of this page.

mamaof3bugs

jwaldher I am so sorry that you have to join us at such a young age, I was 37 when I was diagnosed and I thought I was young!  I too am in the Seattle area (Auburn), I had all my treatment at SCCA, as a matter of fact I go tomorrow for yet another follow up.  Dr.Ellis is my med onc and I love her.  I hope that you find some peace and comfort and if you have any questions about SCCA please let me know...I am a pro   Good luck and the inital diagnosis is the hardest part.  Treatment is tough but at least you are 'doing' something, the waiting is horrible.  xoxo, Angi

mommichelle

jwaldher - Sorry you are here but you found a great support system!  I was 36 at diagnosis.  Stage 1, no lymph node involvement.  4mm IDC with a larger area of DCIS.  I did chemo mainly because I was HER2+.  I wish I had done a double mastectomy. Probably it is the only thing I would change.   I went with a single but I am now looking at having the other one removed.  I was lucky this time, might not be so lucky if it happens again!  Hang in there, treatment is not as bad as you think and soon this will be a small blip on your radar!

jwaldher

mammaof3bugs:

Thank you so much for posting! just reading and knowing that other women have gone through what I am going to go through is encouraging! yes i guess that the intial diagnosis is the most difficult part. every morning I wake up and hope that it is all a dream. It think that I'm still in shock. I feel really numb and lack energy. I cry on and off through the day. What books/videos have you found to be encouraging? where did you go for support? is there a support network at the SCCA?

mdg

I am so sorry you have to go through this too - especially at such a young age.  I feel young but I am 45 with a young child and I also opted for BLMX and I had reconstruction.  I started my journey in December and just got my permanent implants 4 weeks ago.  I am glad I did the BLMX and reconstruction.  I am happy with my new breasts...they are a little bigger than my pre-surgery small ones too which is a bonus.  If you have questions, PM me...I don't mind.  Best of luck!