girls early or late 30's diagnosed with breast cancer

Joe13
Joe13 Member Posts: 18
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

Let's hear it from you girls in their 30's or younger in order to support each other at time in our lives when we are supposed to build a family and get married.

I was diagnosed at 29 yrs last april 08 now turned 30 yrs old n just finished 8 rounds of chemo AC + T every 2 weeks.

I'm starting radiations 30 sessions in Nov 08 then Tamoxifen for the next 5 years.

sometimes i think its unfair because this is an age when u are supposed to start a life and build a family and right now this is not in my options since I can not have children while on Tamoxifen for 5 years..

sending my Love to all.

Joelle

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
«1

Comments

  • lovinmomma
    lovinmomma Member Posts: 1,879
    edited October 2008

    I am just a bit off.  I was just diagnoised at age 41 and it stinks. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • farila_1966
    farila_1966 Member Posts: 224
    edited October 2008

    We have much in similar I think.. I was Diagnosed in April too at the age of 29. But it was a long time ago in 1996. I have survived for 12 years now. I had two kids and my younger one was with special needs. I know it is sort of unfair but then my mom had bc at the age of 60 and thought it was not fair that she had to suffer at end of the journey. In short BC just sucks....

    Sending you my good wishes and love

    Farila

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Joe13
    Joe13 Member Posts: 18
    edited October 2008

    thank you girls for your support let's hope much more will join us here !!! I'm afraid to have children later because they might not be totally normal and might need special need after I've gone through such hard treatment...I know its hard for most of us! it's unfair but we are winners!!! and we are ALIVE!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • fightinhrd123
    fightinhrd123 Member Posts: 633
    edited October 2008

    I am 38, diagnosed in May.  Sucks bigtime, but i was just thinking today that god I had my kids already!!!!  Plus like you say, we're ALIVE, and treatment is much better nowadays :)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Yogi70
    Yogi70 Member Posts: 654
    edited October 2008

    Hello Joe,

    I was 37 when I was dx on January 2, 2008 (Happy New Year!!) Yeah, right. Anyway I'm 38 now and I'm doing okay going thru radiation until November and herceptin until April.  There happen to be plenty of women on this board who have went on to have normal, healthy babies after treatment, so don't get it in your head that all is lost on that front. I'm sure some mothers post treatment with healthy happy babies will chime in soon. God bless.

    Yogi

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • koshka1
    koshka1 Member Posts: 678
    edited October 2008

    Hi...

    I was diagnosed a week after my 39th birthday.

    Kind of a weird story....

    But, at age 38 I asked doc's for a mammogram cause a few of my clients were recently diagnosed with breast cancer.  After requesting a mammo 4x and being declined because I was "too young" and "no symptoms"...they finally gave in to me...

    Lo and behold...calcifications, 2 biopsies, and then surgery...they found 4mm idc, 1mm idc and dcis....

    Geez I am glad I had that mammo.....but sucks that it couldn't be negative!!!

    Be strong ladies!!!

    Kosh

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dalycity
    dalycity Member Posts: 248
    edited October 2008

    My mother was diagnosed at age 36, stage 2; tumor size was 2 inches; had masectomy with a general surgeon; no lymph nodes involvement, no radiation, no chemo, no adjuvant - that was how it was treated back then.   She has no recurrence during these 43 years and is today healthy and 79 years old!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nash
    nash Member Posts: 2,600
    edited October 2008

    Hi, Joelie. I was diagnosed at age 38, with two little kids and a Stage IV bc mom who died while I was still in treatment. It blows at any age, but it's especially hard when we're not even supposed to be having to deal with any of this. And every time I feel young, I think of the even younger girls, the ones who haven't gotten married and/or had kids, and realize that everything is relative.

    There's a section on these boards called Young Women with Breast Cancer--just scroll down on the topics list and you'll see it. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Joe13
    Joe13 Member Posts: 18
    edited October 2008

    thank you so much girls for all your wonderful replies, my real name is Joelle and I was diagnosed at 29 years old,  I'm single, working n living in NY and I thought my thirties would rock!!! I still hope they do.....Laughing let's rock this group in the meantime n support each other.

     Lots of Love to all

    Joelle

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • susan13
    susan13 Member Posts: 732
    edited October 2008

    Hi Joelle,

    I was first diagnosed at age 29, with DCIS.  Then again at 34, now again at 42 with DCIS again but also an invasive lobular cancer.  I did not go thru any chemo back then or rads.  BUT I do hear alot about women having children later on after treatment ends.  You are still very young, and don't give up on being a mom if that is your dream.  I am a firm believer in "everything happens for a reason".  They say my cancer now has been there for "many many years".  I had a baby almost just 2 years ago, 5 days before my 41st birthday, and I think back if it was found before that, then my chance of being a mom would not have happened.  Talk to alot of doctors and find out your options for having children somewhere down the road.  Do not give up on that, don't let this darn disease take over one tiny bit of any good you deserve to have in your life!!

    Best to you,

    Sue

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BethNY
    BethNY Member Posts: 2,710
    edited October 2008

    Joelle, where in NY do you live? I'm in Long Island.  I fully intend on making my thirties rock.

    I was diagnosed at 26, and I'm 31 now, and life couldn't be better...

    I think at any age breast cancer sucks... that's what I've come to learn. I used to be really angry about being diagnosed very young, and then I met some of the most influential women in my life, and I learned that whether you're in your twenties or thirties with no babies, or husband, or if you're in your forties battling breast cancer and raising kids, and trying to hold a marriage together- or if you are a grandmother, who just wants to beat the beast so she can spoil her grandkids rotten, none of us has the harder cross to bare.

    DO NOT GIVE UP ON HAVING KIDS!

    My friend Courtney, who is a survivor, is now pregnant with no ovaries... with modern medicine, so much is possible!!! You just have to hold on to hope!

    I'm in the city a lot if you ever want to meet up for drinks.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mjade
    mjade Member Posts: 1
    edited October 2008

    Hey there Joe, it looks like we have a simular situation. I was dx this may 08 im 30 years old. I had e cycles 4 of AC and 4 Taxol i started tamoxifen  last week. I also live close to the city, although don't get there much. I agree i def though my 30's were gonna be a lot different, i'm just trying to deal one day at a time..  I am also single and have no children:( please feel free to email me any time :)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DianaT
    DianaT Member Posts: 532
    edited October 2008

    I am with you, dx at 30 in January 08 (31 now).  I have been blessed with 4 kids, but we were TTC again when I found the lump.  I keep thanking God for the kids, feeling greedy for wanting more, but I do.  ALL my friends are pregnant, seriously out of 10 friends, 7 are pregnant ~ one with twins. 

    I pray that we can have more later in life, that is if my periods ever return. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • EleanorJ
    EleanorJ Member Posts: 752
    edited October 2008

    Joelle, I'm 33 getting ready to go under the knife on Friday for my lumpectomy. I do have 2 little ones already. If your fear of having an unhealthy baby after treatment is that strong that you would choose not to conceive, there's always the wonderful world of adoption out there. After dealing with infertility & treatment for a year, DH & I adopted out 2 little ones. While I know it's not for everyone, it is an option. I hate to be putting that stress on them right now (they're only 4 & 5 and don't quite understand it all) but I'm so thankful for them & love them so much and more reasons to fight this thing to make sure they keep having their mommy around for a LONG time :)

    Caroline

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • strongmom37
    strongmom37 Member Posts: 36
    edited October 2008

    I was dx at 37, just 6 weeks ago. I maybe in my late 30's, but I still feel so young to be dealing with this. I am sorry you super young ladies have to deal with this too. I have 2 boys, 5 and 3. I did want to have one more but it probably is not in the cards as I am BRCA2+ so I will most likely be having my ovaries removed next summer after my chemo is over. I have 3 older sisters...they just found out they are all BRCA2 ++. U of MD wants to put us in some study to follow. It is very bizarre! Anyway, You young ladies...and young at heart ladies stay strong and positive.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Panchoandlefty
    Panchoandlefty Member Posts: 181
    edited October 2008

    I was dx's at 39. Started chemo the week my twin girls turned 4. I also have a 6 yr old. Just finished rads... start Tamoxifen next week. 

    If you haven't found them already, you might check out Young Survival Coalition. Great resource for premenopausal women with BC. Lots of info in fertility, etc.

    Take care. Stephanie 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • farila_1966
    farila_1966 Member Posts: 224
    edited October 2008

    What could be the youngest possible age at which a woman had been DX with BC? So far I think Beth NY is the youngest at the age of 26.

    Love and hugs to everyone

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2008

    When I first came onto the boards, there was a 16 year old with Paget's Disease. We also have a few 23-yr-olds who log-in on a regular, unfortunately...

     BTW, I was 37 at diagnosis (four years ago). My son was 11, I was divorced and my hubby-to-be - was already a father of four from his first wife, so my baby-making days were done. Only one year of tamoxifen to go...

    All the best on your upcoming rads, Joelle...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Panchoandlefty
    Panchoandlefty Member Posts: 181
    edited October 2008

    On the YSL site there is an occasional teenager.

    Many in their early 20s. Many, many in their mid/late 20s. The "twentysomething" thread over there was 12+ pages when they started a new one recently. 

    I had a friend who had a lumpectomy when we were Jrs in highschool. 

    At 39 I felt really young and out of sync with local groups, but an old-timer on YSL. 

    Stephanie 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • weedhopper
    weedhopper Member Posts: 22
    edited October 2008

    I was 33 when diagnosed and had already had my tubes tied several years prior. My kids were 9, 7, and 5 at the time so my biggest fear was weather I would be around to raise them.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BethNY
    BethNY Member Posts: 2,710
    edited October 2008

    I think the youngest documented case is age 14.  At this past years YSC conference I met a handful of girls that were 19 and 20.

    Women who are diagnosed in their 20's only make up 2% of the mix.  The oncologist told me chances of getting cancer at my age were 1 in 2052. I used to say the other 2051 girls better be happy it happened to me and not them.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2008

    Joelle:

    I was DX at 34, ten years ago.  Would you like to read my post, under forum Triple Negetive, "10 years, the encouragement!" 

    You can not have children while on Tamoxifen for 5 years?  Your doctor said so?  I have 2 friends who have baby during Tamoxifen.  One baby growup already, no problem.  Another one is 2 now, seems normal. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mela4409
    mela4409 Member Posts: 103
    edited November 2008

    Hey...I'm just joining this post.  I'm 24 and was just dx a little over a month ago.  I am currently going through some fertility treatments to preserve embryos for later.  It's slow going right now, my mom had a hard time conceiving so I'm hoping this will benefit my finace and I in the future.  I know what you mean about starting your life and wanting to have children. I'm getting married just a week or so after my chemo is scheduled to be done.  My oncologist mentioned that there are many of her patients who have successfully had children after treatment, and she has 2 right now that are pregnant during treatment (which she was strongly against, but it happened).  Joe13, my oncologist said that she suggests I wait 2 years (while on tamoxifin) to have kids and that I can go on the Tamoxifin again later.  Is that an option for you?  I start chemo in a week or two.  4 doses of A\C and 12 weeks of taxol.  Good luck to you!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RLS2713
    RLS2713 Member Posts: 12
    edited November 2008

    Hi, I am 31 yrs old and I was diagnosed on Halloween.   Devastating.  I still feel like I'm in a dream.  This doesn't happen to me.  I saw the surgeon today and she recommends starting chemotherapy first.  I go for a bone scan, CT scan and MRI at the end of the week.  Genetic testing will also be done because there is NO history on either side of my family.  From there I guess they will determine if there is a high risk.

    There is so much info, I still don't have it straight.  I can't believe I will lose my hair in six weeks.  It doesn't seem real.

    I have a 14 month old and because my cancer is estrogen driven, not sure if I can have more kids.

    Can anyone tell me what to expect during treatment.  

    Thanks 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mela4409
    mela4409 Member Posts: 103
    edited November 2008

    RLS-So sorry that you have to go through this, and you are right it is devastating, but you will get through it!  I wanted to let you know that I am estrogen positive, and my doctors have all be positive that I will be able to have children some day...I'm sure you will be able to have more too!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RLS2713
    RLS2713 Member Posts: 12
    edited November 2008

    Hi MELA4409,

    Thank you for that.  I think I read on one of your posts that you are taking steps to preserve your eggs.

    Can you tell me more about that?  Is that something that insurance would cover?  Does that mean invitro fertilization?

    Thank you! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Elliemae32
    Elliemae32 Member Posts: 72
    edited November 2008

    Hello ladies,

     I was diagnosed just days before my 31st birthday and 17 weeks pregnant.  The baby and I had a mastectomy, then a port placed and 6 rounds of FAC chemo.  He was born 2 weeks ago and is PERFECT!!  You should see all of the hair!!  I am starting taxotere in a week or 2 then off to radiation.  I have to do all that I can so I can raise my boysLaughing

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RLS2713
    RLS2713 Member Posts: 12
    edited November 2008

    WOW!!  Elliemae, that is awesome! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • mela4409
    mela4409 Member Posts: 103
    edited November 2008

    Hey RLS-Unfortunately insurance isn't covering my fertility costs, but a foundation called fertilehope.org helped get half of the costs covered for me.  I have to give myself shots 2 times a day to stimulate eggs and go in twice a week for ultrasounds.  The hormones are a lower dosage because I'm ER+  When I'm ready, I will give myself a shot that makes me ovulate and then my fiance and I will go in so they can retreive my eggs and fertilize and freeze them! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • k4katz
    k4katz Member Posts: 240
    edited November 2008

    Hi ladies, I was dx'd in 2006 at age 37.  Been healthy all my life then BAM!  Hit with the big C-stick.  At the time my boys were 6 and 8.  Went through excisional biopsy, re-excision, SNB, port placement, 4 rounds of AC, 12 rounds of taxol+herceptin, finished a year of herceptin, did 7 weeks of rads, and am now on tamoxifen for 5 years.  I am doing well except that every ache and pain scares the hell out of me!

    I agree with BethNY...BC sucks at any age...we all have a lot to live for and we will keep fighting!

    *Hugs*

    Kristin

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories