I'm so happy to find you guys!

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kimber3006
kimber3006 Member Posts: 586
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer
I'm so happy to find you guys!
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  • kimber3006
    kimber3006 Member Posts: 586
    edited December 2009

    I've been looking off and on for a positive support group online since my breast ultrasound showed that swollen lymph node under my arm.  The biopsy and results didn't come until a few days later, but that was when I knew I had cancer.  Every time I looked online over the last month, I seemed to find something that sent my spirits back to rock bottom, so I am elated to find this group!

    I'm 39 and married with a beautiful 4 year old son.

    I had a mastectomy (right) 10 days after I found the lump, got my life port about a week later and started chemo (AC every 2 weeks) 5 days later on Monday 11/30.  I had an allergic reaction to something, so I'm a little nervous about round 2.  Other than that, my biggest problem has been trying to stop beating myself up over not catching it sooner.

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  • somanywomen
    somanywomen Member Posts: 872
    edited December 2009

    I will think a ton of positive thoughts for you...My husband and I are leaving in a few minutes for a walk on the beach which I have doing a lot more of in the past two months...The beach was always there at my fingertips, I just failed to enjoy it as much before diagnosis a few months ago...So think about your happy places and go there more often and just take in the fresh air and keep going...Make sure they explain the reaction you had and cause and have a plan if it happens again...good luck ......

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  • Bugs
    Bugs Member Posts: 1,719
    edited December 2009

    Welcome to our stage 3 forum, Kimber!  I'm really sorry you had to join us..but glad you found us.  Be careful what you read on the internet...most of it is outdated and will only freak you out.  Come here often to vent..we get what you are feeling. 

    You WILL get through this!!  I'm a few months away from the 4 year mark and life is great.

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  • lovetosail
    lovetosail Member Posts: 544
    edited December 2009

    Welcome Kimber - sorry you had to join this group but glad you found us.  I see your are HER-2+, no Herceptin in your treatment plans?

    Best,

    Sue

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  • kimber3006
    kimber3006 Member Posts: 586
    edited December 2009

    Thanks for the welcome!  Yes, herceptin is definitely in the treatment plan.  4 rounds of AC every 2 weeks, then 12 weekly taxol with herceptin, and then 6 weeks daily radiation plus the herceptin continues for a year (I think).

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  • SpunkyGirl
    SpunkyGirl Member Posts: 1,568
    edited December 2009

    Kimber,

    Please don't beat yourself up about anything.  Chances are pretty good you couldn't have caught it sooner.  I was just turning 40 when I found mine (probably in the same area near the nodes?), and it's a heckuva thing to go through when you have small kids.  I'm so glad you found us.  This forum has been a lifesaver for me. 

    Any help you need, or questions you have, there's a wealth of information and support here.

    Hugs
    Bobbie

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  • SpunkyGirl
    SpunkyGirl Member Posts: 1,568
    edited December 2009

    Kimber,

    Please don't beat yourself up about anything.  Chances are pretty good you couldn't have caught it sooner.  I was just turning 40 when I found mine (probably in the same area near the nodes?), and it's a heckuva thing to go through when you have small kids.  I'm so glad you found us.  This forum has been a lifesaver for me. 

    Any help you need, or questions you have, there's a wealth of information and support here.

    Hugs
    Bobbie

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  • everyminute
    everyminute Member Posts: 1,805
    edited December 2009

    Glad you found us - I have done WAY too much internet research and googling in the past 18 months and have found that this site is THE most supportive and very educational.  I use these boards, exclusively, to look at different treatment plans as well as the latest in research.  We are also very lucky to have quite a few old timer (sorry!) stage 3 girls that check in on us now and then and help us remain hopeful.

    I was also 39 when I was diagnosed and was being watched fairly closely (I had cysts previously) Had just had a clean mammo and 2 dr. breast exams within a few months of being diagnosed.  It happens, unfortunately, more that we would like to know (hence all the publicity about mammos not working in younger women.

    I had a similar diagnosis as you - eighteen months ago.  I am healthy and strong, I laugh alot, I dont cry much anymore (though I did a lot when I was first diagnosed).  I have done a triathalon and half marathon since treatment ended and numerous 5ks.  I am actually faster and stronger than before bc.

    I have a cute haircut, I get comments all the time (even from people who didnt know about the bc) and I live life with intent every day. 

    I dont live in constant fear anymore but I am realistic and I want to make every moment count. 

    Chemo isnt fun but is doable -much more so these days than in the past.  You will get through it and you will come out on the otherside grateful for every day (but still pissed this happened in the first place!!!!)

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  • caaclark
    caaclark Member Posts: 936
    edited December 2009

    Hi Kimber,

    As everyone else has said, glad you found us.  When I was diagnosed I had turned 40 about 3 weeks before.  At the time my girls were 8, 6 and 4.  My then 4 year old is now 8 years old and does not remember any of it.  Strange to me since I remember ALL of it but in some ways it makes me feel good that she really has no memory of it.  In January it will be 4 years for me (I think bugs and I were diagnosed just weeks apart.)

    I think one of the good things about being on the younger side when diagnosed it that we can bounce back pretty easily.  Also, having young children helped me get through everything.  You know, it was not like I could lay around all day and feel sorry for myself! lol.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2009

    Hi kimber3006,  Welcome to the stage 3ers forum.  This is a good group and I think you'll get a lot of support here.Smile

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited December 2009

    Smile

    hi kimber.. welcome

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  • diana50
    diana50 Member Posts: 2,134
    edited December 2009

    hi kimber

    welcome ...this is a wonderful group of women; all dealing with this stage III stuff. we are here and this forum is full of good experience...thoughts...and support. just post anything and any questions and we will be here for you

    diana50

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited December 2009

    Hi Kimber - sorry you have to be here, but welcome.  I am 43, my cancer was found between mammogram appts and I don't think it would have been caught sooner, it just wasn't there on the last mammogram.  I think we can sit back and question ourselves as to why we got it, could we have found it sooner or did we do something to cause it, but will never find the answers.............  Know that you have found it and are doing everything in your power to fight it now and you will find a lot of support on these boards.   

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  • Diana63
    Diana63 Member Posts: 773
    edited December 2009

    Welcome Kimber, you are in the right place, please keep posting someone is always here to help :)

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited December 2009

    Welcome Kimber! Glad you have found us, you couldn't be among more supportive and knowledgeable women.

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  • kimber3006
    kimber3006 Member Posts: 586
    edited December 2009

    Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!  Today was a good day, and finally not feeling so alone was part of that.

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  • weesa
    weesa Member Posts: 707
    edited December 2009

    Kimber, glad that if you had to find a bunch of survivors, it was us! This is a group of zany, funny, knowledgeable, caring women. Many of us are further along on this unrequested journey and can support you thru it. My diagnosis had many similarities to yours and I have done well. Incidentally, I was just in SC a while ago walking on the beach at Wild Dunes. I love the SC shore in the fall. Hope you can enjoy that amazing shoreline when you feel better.

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  • Gitane
    Gitane Member Posts: 1,885
    edited December 2009

    Hi Kimber, Welcome to this wonderful group.  You are about the same age as my daughter.  It breaks my heart when women are diagnosed so young.  However, your youth and strength will help you through this and your recovery will be faster, too!  I had mastectomies and AC every two weeks, too, so I know what it's like.  Like Bugs and Carol, I'm about 4 years out from my diagnosis.  I think it's natural to look back and wonder about "what if"..... but don't spend a lot of energy there.  We will never know the answers to our questions.  You couldn't have found a better place for support.  Come here often, we're here to help.

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  • bejuce
    bejuce Member Posts: 97
    edited December 2009

    Hi Kimber!

    Just wanted to give you another welcome. I was diagnosed earlier this year at 38 (I have a 7, a 5, and a 3 year old) and I'm also ER+/PR-/HER2+.  Sounds like your doctors acted fast upon finding your swollen node.  I found a swollen node in July 2008 and wasn't diagnosed until February 2009.  I, too, wished I could have caught it sooner. But, you know what? It doesn't matter now. What matters is the future, having hope, and counting on each other for support along the way.  We'll be here many years from now seeing our children grow up.

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  • kim40
    kim40 Member Posts: 904
    edited December 2009

    Hi Kimber!

    Welcome to the club that no one wants to join!  You have found a great support group here full of knowledgeable, wonderful women. 

    We have all been in your shoes not that long ago.  Don't beat yourself up.  The main thing is now you are getting treatment, and before you know it, you will be on the other side offering words of encourgement and support to other "newbies" that will be unfortuately joining our group also. 

    Hang in there.  You will get through this and win.  Good Luck!

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  • AsiaYM
    AsiaYM Member Posts: 2,216
    edited December 2009

    Hello, Kimber,

    We are here for you, to cry, to vent, to listen, to embrace, to celebrate,........ to anything!!!

    Join the club of wonderful ladies here.

    Hugs,

    Karen

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  • AnacortesGirl
    AnacortesGirl Member Posts: 1,758
    edited December 2009

    Hi Kimber,

    Isn't it great to see all these ladies that have been here before us?  We didn't want this diagnosis and we really don't want to be part of this but now that we're here it means so much to see women who are doing so well.  Today is my first AC so you're ahead of me on that one.  I finished 12 weeks of Taxol so now I'm in the countdown that gets me to the end of chemo.  We can do it!

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  • Pure
    Pure Member Posts: 1,796
    edited December 2009

    Anacortes-tommorow is my last ac and I start taxol. We seems to be on reverse schedules.  But I feel like the countdown is on!!!

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  • lkc
    lkc Member Posts: 1,203
    edited December 2009

    Hi Kimber,

    I am glad you found us as well. You will find a great amount of correct information and support here. Come here often for reassurance. Don't search then nets, lots of "old Stats there.

    I am out 4 yrs 7 months from my stage IIIC diagnosis and doing great.

    I see you're her 2 pos too, These tumors are infamous for popping up quickly.Herceptin is a god send.

     Be kind to yourself. We will help you get through.

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  • JacquelineG
    JacquelineG Member Posts: 282
    edited December 2009

    Hi Kimber!

    Another Stage 3er diagnosed at 39. My kids were 8, almost 7 and 2. I'm 18 months out and feeling great! You'll get through this!

    Jackie

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  • AzKim
    AzKim Member Posts: 124
    edited December 2009

    Hi Kimber,

    Sorry to welcome you to the group but,.WELCOME,.this is a great site! :)

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  • kimber3006
    kimber3006 Member Posts: 586
    edited December 2009

    Hello all!  Yesterday was a bit of a marathon, so I didn't manage to get on here.  I went to work in the morning, then had an appointment with my surgeon in the afternoon.  I got all of my staples out, some of the steri-strips, and he said all looks good so one less doc to see for 3 months - hooray!  I loved my surgeon though.  I had been praying so hard through so many tears those first weeks and I truly felt like God had answered my prayers in the form of my surgeon when I met him.  I had total faith in him (which is very unusual for me).

    Work was rough.  It's like every date that is before I found the lump makes me so sad and looking at my calendar and all of the cancelled plans breaks my heart (we were supposed to be spending our first full day of a week at Disney the day I began chemo, and had just finalized plans for a new house which we also cancelled - too much extra work and stress for now).  I'm learning though to push it out of my mind, and think about the wonderful trips we'll take when I'm on the other side of this thing.  I actually started making plans again yesterday.  I haven't been able to do that without fear of the future making me physically ill, so I think that's great progress!  :)

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited December 2009

    You know, dates still make me sad. I look back at photos of the "before time" and wish i could go back - I look so carefree!

    This time of year is hard for me as everything is reminding me of last year when I was diagnosed. We are off to my kids school concert tonight - last year the day after the concert I had my Surgery.

    I think it is all just part of the process, hopefully good memories will come and replace the bad ones.

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  • everyminute
    everyminute Member Posts: 1,805
    edited December 2009

    I found getting through chemo was more bearable when I made plans for my "good" weekends - though I couldnt plan much further out than that without getting physically ill.  Then little by little I could.  I booked a mini trip (with travel insurance, always with travel insurance) to visit friends in TX the week after radiation....then a friend wanted to do a trip to FLA for my bday in March...THEN I booked a huge trip to Ireland and now there is no stopping me!   I always use travel insurance and I always have that little hitch that says "what if" but I push past and don't let cancer take that away from me. 

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  • Pure
    Pure Member Posts: 1,796
    edited December 2009

    I use to be like what if but now I am going to live fully until someone tells me otherwise. I just can't accept letting cancer take away every possible good thing by always planning for the "what if".   I think  you just have to get to a point where you say it's over, I am done and I am moving on. 

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