Who's the youngest?

Hi everyone.. I'm 28 and I was recently diagnosed with IDC. Stage to be confirmed during lumpectomy but based on the size, it's at stage 1.

For some strange reason, I'm at peace with having BC. Friends and family find it weird that I'm totally okay with it. I was diagnosed just last week and over the weekend I've had time to think things through. I actually have an action plan for things that worry me i.e. chemo hair loss, etc.

My weirdness even extends to the point that I am grateful that I'm the one who has BC, because if it were given to someone less financially stable, they would probably not work on curing the cancer. (I live in the Philippines, so not everyone is entitled to good medical care).

Now I'm wondering, is this just a phase? Will I become depressed once treatment starts? I hope not. But I'm now starting to be worried after reading everyone's post... 

Thanks Sandy.

I've been reading the boards, trying to understand why others feel more devastated than others. I think for married women, it's the idea that they might leave their kids motherless. It is agonizing. If I had a choice not to go through chemo (lumpectomy is scheduled next wk so anything's possible at this point), I would think twice before declining to do it. I'd rather go through everything while I'm still young and single, than to constantly worry whether it will come back once I have a family of my own..

Anyway, just rambling, trying to put some sense in everything. 

.. will try to be as positive for as long as I can though.  

I think there's a natural ebb and flow to it all. I definitely think feelings change and grow with time. I think it's natural to be angry when its all said and done. And whats worse, is that you question if you're supposed to be feeling this way...

It's over, I should be happy. The cancer is gone, I'm a survivor- I should get on with my life...

But it's not easy. I go through phases too. But With more time, I definitely think it becomes a memory. Like college.. I had lots of good times and bad times, and most of it I've long forgotten about. And when I speak of the college days with old friends, or look at old photos, I just think of it as a chapter in my life. Now, of course I'm not comparing cancer to college, but now that I am nearing the 5 year mark from my dx date, I am starting to look at it as a distant chapter. Obviously, you can never close the chapter forever, and we all know that, b/c we have to open it up again when we go for checkups etc.... But it really is starting to become stored memories, and I've forgotten about a lot of the bad parts.

I struggle with anger-- I always have.  It's no easy fix, but I can tell you two things that really help. Walking every day. I used to load up my ipod, suit up in 20 layers, and hit the pavement no matter what the weather for 5 miles a day. I gave this up a year ago when we moved, and I can honestly say it is the one absolute thing I need to be doing again. Even if 5 miles seems like a lot-- girl, I started with two blocks! I'm not kidding. But I would walk, and think, and even have conversations with myself, and I felt better.

And the other one, is that when I'm about to explode and fly off the handle, this takes practice, but you should close your eyes, and focus on relaxing your jaw. It's much harder then you think. Your teeth should not touch unless you swallow. You breathe in, and with each exhale relax your lower jaw. relax your face.  It sounds ridiculous, but even for a few minutes a day just sit by yourself and relax your jaw.

Life isn't easy. Getting cancer makes it that much harder. All anyone can really ask is that you just get up every day and try to do the best you can with what you have. 

I was 25 when i was dx with breast cancer. I am from a very small town, and there was no one around that age going through the same thing. I found my lump myself and called my obgyn. They did an ultrasound, told me it was a adnoma and sent me to a surgeon. I was very lucky because the surgeon felt the same as my husband and i did. It did not need to be there so lets take it out. Luck thing he did because when he got in and took the lump out they found it to be cancer. I went through the chemo and radiation because i was so young. It was all worth it in the end. I am 31 and doing great. I have 3 kids. Two were born after it all. I am very active in Relay for Life and so are my kids. We do Relay every year. Last year my daughter's girl scout troop was there too. Good luck to all who are fighting bc now. And congrates to all who have won.

Hi, my name is Lizzy. I am 24 and I was diagnosed 2 days ago.  I am also new to the board!

I was 20 by my first diagnosis. Cancer was back with 27 years.

diamond gurl- welcome to the sisterhood that no one wants to join-- but we're here for u every step of the way.

here are two sites u also may like

www.youngsurvival.org

www.imtooyoungforthis.org

Mela- how is treatment going thus far?

I was 34 1st. DX Stage I and 41 2nd. DX  ( 2007)

I´m 43 years now.

Sara- I too thought I was alone, when I was dx at age 26 back in 2004. For me, finding the YSC (young survival coalition) was a dream come true. It was like a breast cancer sorority.

What I can tell you now that I'm almost 5 years out, and a very healthy 31 year old, is that you do get your life back....You can go on to do anything- get married, have babies, change careers, do anything....

Sometimes you can't always do it the conventional way, but cancer won't always have power over your life. Just a temporary sh*tty blip on the radar...

in your corner always....

BethNY- Thanks for recommending that website, I found it helpful and very informative. Knowing that you survived this and other ladies surving this gives me hope for a "normal" life again. It's been difficult especially now that I start my chemo treatment this Thursday coming up, I just don't like it when the doctor's tell me the worst case scenario.  It really brings me down, I try to stay positive though, I need to do these treatments and it is very crucial to my survival. Other than that, I think it is cool that you've been sharing your experiences with bc.

I was DX March 2007 at 38.

Hi doggirl25, welcome to the group, wow you've been diagnosed around the same time as me, I start chemo this week as well. I was also diagnosed at 25, I just turned 26 the other day. Hope everything goes well for you.

Hi BethNY, thanx for the advice!

I just signed up for this because of your post, you sound bitter and sounds like you have the "poor me" syndrome. I was quite offended by your post. I am in my mid 30's and you came across that women 40 and older don't matter, well let me tell you something, your cancer is no worse then anyone elses whether they are in their 20's 30's 40's or 50's! We are all going through something devastating, and in my 30's I hardly feel like I've lived my life. I find you quite ignorant and full of self pity! Before my cancer I was doing some modeling and quite sexy and beautiful and well known in my community. I still feel sexy, bald and all! It's all about attitude and i have a great attitude and choose to remain positive! Maybe you should start try that. You really angered me, it's not anyones fault you got cancer, and because you are younger does not mean women older than you don't matter. It's hard for me to be compassionate to you while you bash women such as my self at the ripe old age of 35, give me a break! I recently got a modeling job to show my strength and my beauty inside and out! You need to grow up, gain some strength, and stop blaming everyone else! Believe it or not 35 is still young to get cancer, boy did your ignorant comments irritate me. I normally end my posts on an encouraging or positive note but with you all I can say is it's not all about you!

I was DX with 20 ( 2003)

2.DX 2008 with 25

I am definately not the youngest but like most of you feel like it when I am in chemo.

Diagnosed Nov 2008 at 30yrs old 

Had felt a lump at 25yrs old, got a ultrasound that was inconclusive, docs said not to worry because of my young age and no family history of BC that no further testing was needed.