New to the site. DCIS under 40

LiveLoveLaugh2020

Hello ladies...

Just signed up for this site. I have been reading it on/off for a couple months and decided to finally join. I wish I had joined sooner as there is so much helpful information on here. I was diagnosed late summer and had BIL NSM 4 months ago. I just had my implant exchange 1 week ago with fat grafting.

Just wondering if there are any of you who were diagnosed under 40? This is quite the emotional roller coaster where you can feel so alone at times. So it'd be great to hear from those under 40 or ANY of you ladies! My family has been awesome and I have a great support system but it's hard for people to truly understand what you're going through or how you feel unless they have been in your situation (which you hope no one ever has to go through). There are so many questions I'd like to ask! And I'd love to answer any questions or help anyone that I can as well!

berries

Hi,

I was diagnosed at 34, so you are definitely not alone, even though it may feel very isolating! Feel free to PM me if you want to chat. It can be a very scary road to walk on. xx

LiveLoveLaugh2020

Hi berries,

Thanks for your response! Definitely can feel isolating but it's nice to have support on here! xx

MinusTwo

FYI - there is a section "young with BC" that you many find useful.

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/27

Lefty_Lucy

Me, too! Just under 40, haha. But I was still pretty shocked when I got the news. It's very surreal.

How's your recovery going? I am still in the phase of choosing a surgeon and it has been very daunting.

LiveLoveLaugh2020

Yes the news is very shocking and horrible for anyone to hear especially at a young age. I feel the same way, very surreal. It feels like I still can't believe I'm going through this so I know what you mean!

My recovery is going well this time around, thanks for asking. Much easier than MX. The worst part is the pain/discomfort from the FG sites (thighs) but otherwise I'm doing okay besides being a little tired.

I remember the beginning. The finding a doctor and waiting is the worst. What have you opted to do? I wish you the best of luck

ARmom4

Hi. You are not alone! I'm 35 and just diagnosed with IDC. I'm still in the waiting phase. I have my first appointment with the breast surgeon on Tuesday. Good thoughts your way!

LiveLoveLaugh2020

Hi ARmom. Thank you. So sorry to hear about your diagnosis. If you have any questions feel free to ask or feel free to PM me. Good luck with your appointment on Tuesday, sending good thoughts your way as well!

Rrobin0200

37 here! You’re not alone!

LiveLoveLaugh2020

Thank you! It's unfortunate for all of us but nice to know we're not alone

blah333

I was 35, feel like my prime was prematurely ended. Now I'm surrounded by oblivious "carefree" peers who are buying houses, having children, and career accomplishments while I am still poor, and had to ruin my body. Yay! It's quite alienating. I know there are other women out there dealing with this, and women in their 20s, even. But I have never seen a single person my age in any of the waiting rooms, ever. They are all older, crumpled, unhealthy looking people (I go to the county hospital). I definitely feel out of place.

Lefty_Lucy

LiveLaughLove, it's such a rollercoaster. I keep telling myself things will get easier once I have a plan, so it helps to hear that others are doing better at any later stage. Hope the pain lessens and you're feeling pain-free soon.

I'm still looking for my options. My first surgeon recommended double mastectomy, no skin or nipple sparing on the affected breast, no immediate reconstruction options. I have a second opinion tomorrow and another the end of next week, but I am coming around to my first surgeon's point of view. However, I still very much dislike their practice and hope I can find somewhere better to go.

Either way, I'm now just getting anxious to get through this.

Blah, I'm a few years older than you, but I feel you on how it is in the waiting room. The place I go is a huge regional cancer treatment center and it's all much older people, and they all seemed resigned to cancer. I'm sure they're not actually, but I'm panicking inside (and sometimes on the outside) and they all just seem so chill about everything.

LiveLoveLaugh2020

Lefty yes it definitely is. In the beginning you don't think it'll ever get better but it does! You'll slowly get there. And even when you do you'll still have your days. The pain is better thank you, just a little sore but the worst part is Insomnia lol I'm having trouble sleeping and it drives me crazy! Well I'm glad you have all your appointments set up and I hope you find the right surgeon for you.

Blah you make some valid points. It stinks! I hope you've found some people you have connected with on here.

TB90

I always feel so much healthier than those around me in waiting rooms. Not always younger as tragically there are very young cancer patients with very advanced illness. I leave feeling so thankful for the health that I have.

LiveLoveLaugh2020

TB you are right! It sucks that we have to go through this but at the same time I'm very thankful for my health and that it was caught early.

Lefty_Lucy

That's a good perspective, TB90. It's so hard going through this right now, but I know I've been very lucky, too. Eyes on the other side of this.

TB90

Live,Love,Laugh and Lefty Lucy, your positive avatar names say it all. You have every right to be mad, but will be able to put it all in perspective soon. Take care.

sierramtngirl

I was diagnosed just one month after my 39th birthday. So, I get it. I had (at the time) a 5 year old, a 3 year old and a 1 year old (diagnosed a month before his first birthday)- they are nearly 8, 5 and 3 now! My DCIS was grade 3 with nasty necrosis. I was nursing the baby at diagnosis, which lead to a whole bunch of extra drama, including not allowing me to have surgery until I had weaned him for 2 months. It's been just over 2 years since my mastectomy (12/17) and 18 months since my exchange surgery. I am still sad about what happened, especially when I see stories of recurrence in young women, and I find my DCIS dx to be a storm cloud that is always nearby. But, I do try to focus on the positives, and do what I can to stay healthy and happy. I workout 3 times per week, go skiing, have lots of hobbies (knitting, sewing, painting) and of course enjoy spending time with my young children and my husband. Just know that you are not alone.

LiveLoveLaugh2020

That's terrible, especially with you having little ones. Same here it's a lot to always have that in the back of your mind. I too try my best to stay positive but you just have those days here and there. I should start working out again and try to keep more busy. Glad you're in a good place now and thanks for the message! Enjoy those little ones.

JNN

Welcome! ❤

I was 33. I had lost my fiance 3 years prior and was just getting back into the social scene to live life...I was still a baby damn it! But life happens and throws curve balls that you can never see coming. I found a lump while in the shower...totally random. I really thought it was just fibrous tissue. I ironically had my annual appt scheduled 2 weeks later and thought, 'I'll bring up then.' I get to my appt and was like 'meh, it's nothing, I'll just watch it', then I just blurted it out..."I feel a lump in my breast." So strange how the conscious and unconscious mind works. Sure enough it ended up being Grade 3 DCIS. My life undoubtedly changed forever. You never think just how much something makes you feel like a woman until it's taken from you, fuck you cancer! Even with breast implants that actually look great...it's.just.not.the.same. Having a great support system is really key though. And sites like this are so helpful. So many different stories and wonderful warriors to make the process a little less lonesome. And yoga...ahhh yoga...my sanity. I celebrated 6 years cancer free last November 4th. Having some kind of normalcy is possible even though the scars will always be there. BUT let them be reminders of the bad ass you are. Again...welcome to a great site and never hesitate to ask any questions...no matter how raw or just to vent...someone is always listening. ❤❤

LiveLoveLaugh2020

JNN,

Thanks for the message!! So sorry to hear about your fiance. I can't even imagine having to go through that and then BC especially so young. But I love your attitude, yes F**K cancer!

I agree having a great support system is key. I don't know what what I would have done without my Mom and family. But at same time it's nice speaking to people who can relate to you because no one else really understands!

I'm glad yoga is your sanity. I need to start working out. I love walking so I guess I'll start with that. Congrats on 6 years and I wish you many many more!