I'm so young.... or am I? just 36 but history of cancer....

jensmart

I met with my surgeon today... from as much as I picked from his thoughts.... he is for chemo first, lumpectomy, etc treatment.  I am only 36 years old.. My official diagnosis: invasive ductal carcinoma, stage 2(a or b, second biopsy pending ...mri showed issue with lymphs, ultrasound pending), 2cm, ER+/PR+, HER2+... I lost my son at 36 weeks 8/27/2013, no know cause after autopsy/gen testing (history of 3 miscarriages prior to one living child now 13 years old, then stillbirth 36 weeks, no known cause)...then, on 10/27/2014, a 22cm tumor was found on my left ovary.  ovarian cancer gone via surgey (removal of ovary and appendix with lymph biopsy), however, 11/18/14 I was diagnosed breast cancer (I scratched and found a lump...thank Gawd for having an itch!!).... I have a test Monday 12/15 to check for abdormalities in BRCA1/BRCA2.. from my family history I've gotten (2 cases of breast cancer/2nd degree relations)... its unlikely I'll show up for this genetics issue based on family conservations.......  please someone .. (A.) tell me it gets better for my situation?...  (B.)  tell me this is not unusual in my situation?  are you like me?. (C.).. tell me hair returns rather quickly.....  believe it or not, this C has clouded my mind more than stillbirth/cancer/diagnosis?

Moderators

Jensmart-

Oh Jen, it does get better. The beginning in the hardest, so much fear and uncertainty. You'll feel better once you and your medical team come up with a treatment plan, you'll feel a bit more back in control. If you have questions about chemo and more specifically your hair, head over to our Chemotherapy forum, lots of smart and knowledgeable women there who can offer you some advice and support. This one in particular might be of interest to you: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topic/....

We're so sorry for what brings you here, but we're really glad you've found our community. Please keep us posted, we're all thinking of you!

The Mods

Holeinone

jensmart, sorry, you have been through a lot. Not fair.

I would love to tell you it will get better, but it is a scary roller coaster, twists & turns. The whole process does suck! Since you tested Her +, you will have longer treatment. ( I am assuming ).

Losing my hair did not bother me a whole lot. I live in a cold climate, so that was hard. My head was shaved in mid Sept. Starting growing back in Feb.

farmerlucy

Hi Jen - So sorry for all the devastation. It is a miracle that you can still function given all you have already been through. As the Mods said it does get better. Ever so slowly, and in its own time, the fear will subside. Take things step by step, day by day. I'm sorry about the baby. My heart is breaking for you. Sometimes when all the loses pile up it gets to be too much for us. Arm yourself with ways of coping, like finding a support group, a counselor, a social worker to talk to. Many of us find we can't get through this without meds to help with the anxiety so be sure to discuss this with your doctor if you need some temporarily. There is a forum here called "young with breast cancer" where you can find women your age. Here is the link https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/27

Private message me anytime, ANYTIME, if you need a listening ear. You are not alone. Sending you a gentle hug.

mdg

So sorry you have had so many difficult things to deal with.  BC is a sneaky disease.  There are a lot of young women here even with no family history.  We just have no idea who will get it and really why.  I have had to let go of wondering.   Today marks 4 years since my diagnosis and I will never know why/how I got BC.  As far as hair, there is an option to keep it.  I used Cold Caps and kept most of my hair.  No one knew I was going through chemo unless I told them.  There is a thread on the site full of cold cap users with success.  Just wanted to you to know there is an option.  Best of luck....hang in there:)