girls early or late 30's diagnosed with breast cancer

Elliemae32 :

Congratulation!  You are so brave.  I have to be jealous of you. 

susan13 and all the rest of the wonderful ladies - thank you for the inspiration.   I was diagnosed on Sept 24, 2008 with DCIS Level 0, Grade 2-3 Non invasive.   I am 39 years old and had a mammogram "by chance".  I recently changed OB/GYN and she wanted to be thorough with new patients.   Thank goodness.  I had a partial mastectomy on 10/7/08 and suppose to follow with radiation treatments - which I haven't started yet.

My husband and I were on the road to having another child.  I have one 6 year old and have been wanting another one for quite some time.   We were going to a fertility specialist when we found out about the cancer.  We also found out it was estrogen receptor positive and the oncologists are strongly suggesting that I do not get pregnant after treatment.   The fertility clinic was "afraid" to proceed without a letter from the oncologist.   I have cried rivers.  I feel I have been hit with a double whammy.   I am 39 years old and my biological clock is ticking.  

Since then, I have sought out another fertility clinic which has had experience working with women enduring BC.   They said they will help us and to keep them informed of the outcome of my diagnosis and treatment.   I want to have some amount of reassurance of long term survival before I have another child.  With DCIS, the survival rate is very good.

Now, there is another twist.  The oncologist wanted me to get a MRI since my breasts are so dense.  This past Friday, the oncologist called and said there is something suspicious and scheduled for me to see a surgeon this Friday.  I am so scared to think there is something more and maybe even worse.   Right now, I am seriously considering a double mastectomy to get rid of the girls since they seem to be enemies now and not friends anymore.   I want to see my precious daughter I have right now grow up.   Maybe with them both gone, I would have that chance and it would also free me up to have another child without worries.  Please pray for me that all will be good on Friday - that the best scenario will play out. 

I don't want to give up on my dreams!

Hi ladies

I was dx at 30, Im 37 now, and had my kids early, they're 18 and 15 now.  I wanted my life to begin again at 40, my daughter will be 18 the same day Im 40!  now I'll be lucky to see 40 and feel guilty that I'll leave my kids too early.  My husband is stepdad to my 2 kids, we've been together for 13 years and just as we were buying our first home together BAM my dx, so we havent been able to have any children together which I know he regrets.

Wow this turned into a bit of a whinge didnt it, sorry girls, things arent that bad really!

Sue xx

joe13--yay on your hair coming back, how exciting for you, hang in there with the radiation...

Joe13- The hair coming back is a great thing! I thought radiation was harder than chemo. It put me in this wierd fog all the time where I couldn't get anything done. I hope you are getting through it better than I did.

I am 38 with a 20 month old son. With my clock ticking, we were just getting ready to start on baby two when I was diagnosed on 6/2/08 during my first mamogram. After a lumpectomy, chemo, and radiation (just finished last Monday- hurray), I am getting ready to start Tamoxefin this month. I am grateful to have caught it early and try to focus on the positive but recently, I can't seem to shake this deep nagging sadness about hormone therapy and how it could impact my chances for having another child. Plus, knowing that I am er+/pr+, is it even wise for me to have another baby? I don't want to go through cancer again and I want to be here to watch my son grow up.

hope4life- I too feel like I was hit by a double wammy and have also cried rivers. Like you, I have been wondering if a double mastectomy would make getting pregnant again less risky. I am thinking about you and hoping everything turned out well. I hope neither of us has to give up our dreams.

Ladies- I could use any encouragement you can send my way.

I was just diagnosed at age 41, but still feel very young. I have three small children and I worry for them. My mom was 29 when she died from ovarian cancer.

Hi ClaireUK

I'm 39 and single, no kids.  Sounds like you have had a lot to deal with.  Being an independent person who is use to being in charge, I find it hard to ask family and friends for help but I also know I have to, especially not having a partner to lean on.  I think also, in the early weeks of diagnosis, the road ahead can seem overwhelming, but hopefully if you read some of the stories here and talk to some of the ladies you'll find the strength you need.   There are quite a few single parents on the board and many of them with children who have special needs.  I'm sure they'll be able to offer you some tips and support.

R xo

Hi there ladies. I was 30 when diagnosed and had a 4 year old and a 16 month old . I'm 34 now and my boys are now 8 and 5, and now I have a 9 month old little girl! Yep, I got pregnant while taking Zoladex and Arimidex. She is perfectly healthy, right on track for development and growth. So, even though she wasn't a planned pregnancy, it can and does happen after/during treatment!

After she came, I had my ovaries removed and am back on Arimidex to finish out my five years.

Almost 4 years and fighting!

Hi Joelle!  I have the exact same type of breast cancer as you (ER+PR-Her2-).  I have a beautiful 3 yr old son but had wanted another prior to my diagnosis 10/08.  I don't think we will have any more b/c like you, I am scared what effect the chemo had on my eggs (we didn't freeze embryos) and also I am afraid of having extra estrogen in my system as it may fuel the cancer.  I am glad to hear that somebody else has the same concerns.  Glad to meet you!

Hugs,

Erin

I'm 35 (turning 36 this Friday!), no children, new boyfriend which means I have been enjoying the honeymoon phase of a relationship instead of concentrating on cancer crap. I am doing egg freezing (I hope - if the eggs behave themselves!) and also had part of an ovary frozen and will be taking Zolodex all as means of preserving fertility.  At present I am intending to refuse Tamoxifen after I finish chemo and radiation - don't want to wait until I am 41 to be able to have a child. I am going to do all I can to reduce estrogen in my body through diet, exercise etc.