Women under 45 stage II w/node involvement?

Hi All,

I think coming to this thread is going to be a daily ritual for me through my journey.  It just feels so good to hear other's stories, and be able to relate!  You are all so strong, and we are in it together.

Taylor, I was also terrified of the surgery.  I did two things.  One is that I spent a lot of time on the internet looking at pictures of women with mastectomies.  You can see them on websites for plastic surgeons.  It really is not as bad as you imagine.  I decided on having DIEP reconstruction, which went well for me, but it is a big decision, and you don't have to do it until later if you don't want to put yourself through that much trauma all at once.

The other thing that really worked for me was something that my therapist taught me.  I couldn't believe how well it worked, and I don't know if I can describe it well enough, but here goes.  It has to do with breathing and simply using your thumb and index finger of one hand to rub the sides of your thumb and fingers on the other hand.  The spot that you rub is the fleshy part beside the fingernail, just gently, but strong enough that you feel it.  You do each finger and thumb for 2 deep breaths, and then move to the next.  I had never heard of this before, but it really really calmed me down.  I did it every day, and any time I felt anxious.  I went from having moments where I didn't think I could breath, because I was so anxious to feeling very calm and relaxed about the whole thing.  It was weird, but it worked, and I still do it.

Good luck.  I'm off to make a dream catcher with my 4 year old :-) 

Still can't beleive that their our so many of us dealing with BC and having small children...just doesnt seem fair...but were going to beat this!!! We will win this battle!! I am so grateful for coming across this site, I feel so much better...:) Thanks

Thanks Suz39 I'm going to try those breathing exercises!! I come on here daily as I love reading everyone's stories!! So many strong, courageous women on here!!

Hi LNCollins....you're definitely not alone....although I wish we were all in a different kind of club!!!



It must feel great to be on top of the treatment hill and able to SEE a finish line! YAY!!!

I think I'm headed towards AC and T....

Thanks Suz for the breathing/relaxation idea. I will use that this week at my checkup!

Hi everyone,

I was diagnosed @ 32 on 1/6/11.   I had BMX 2/9/11 and started chemo 3/18/10 and finished 6/24/11.  My cancer was multifocal - I had 1.8cm tumor and two satellites of .3 cm.  I also had one node positive - 4mm and lymph vascular invasion. I have my exchanged scheduled for Aug 20 and radiation two weeks after that. I have two children - a 7 year old girl and a two year old boy.  It has been tough - I find myself going through the same fears and doubts as you ladies and have come on here to read posts for inspiration, hope and to get out of my periodic funks. So thank you ladies

I found the lump myself ~6 months after I had my son and was told by my gyno that it was breast milk since I was breastfeeding. Approximately 8 months later it was still there but then I found out I was pregnant.  I was stressed throughout the pregnancy because I was working full time and running around dropping my kids off at school and sitter, rushing to pick them both up, getting them fed, (you know usual mom things) and basically being the main caretaker (my husband travels a lot for work).  I was literally running everyday becausse I am in NYC and have to take public transportation.  Then I had the baby early at 23 weeks and lost him 9 days later.  So in May 2010 I went for my postpartum check up and again brought up the lump and was told it was breast milk.  By November I noticed that it got noticebly bigger and asked for a ultrasound and then was told by co-workers to get seen at Sloan.  I went to Sloan the week after xmas and was told cancer a week later. I was expecting it but I was still shocked.  I had to admit I didn't believe it, I thought they got my results mixed up with someone's else's. I sort of believe it after my BMX and partway through chemo  So here I am, doing much better than I expected and only thinking of cancer every two weeks or so and getting better  Nice to meet everyone.

Kim 

Hi Kim ...So sorry about your son and your BC...

Hi Madismommy sounds like your party was a success!!! 

I think mammos should be given when your 30 or earlier. I think its crazy to start at 50 some you can only see on a mammo. This is so not fair that their our so many of us with this shit!! We are too damn young!!! They thought what I had was nothing because I didn't "fit" into the stats!! No family history, too young, had my first child before 30 , breast fed both of my children, healthy lifestyle...so how did I get this???? I know many who have BC and there in ther 30's , it just makes me angry!!! It is what it is and I somehow have to deal with this , was supposed to go back to school this sept...but that will have to be put on hold!!

I hope you all enjoyed your weekend...:)

Taylor777

I had a mastectomy of my left breast and it was not near as painful as when I had my port inserted.  We decided to do my surgery after I received my graduate degree so I had 3 weeks to dwell on it.  It was not as bad as I thought it would be!  I also agree with you.  Women should be receiving mammograms starting at 30 and more attention should be paid to microcalcifications.  I felt a lump but everyone told me that there was no lump there and I had sparse microclcifications.  The only reason they did a biopsy is because I started having a discharge.  Funny thing is the discharge was from a completely benign condition.

I have four children ages 19, 16,12, and 10.  My husband and I discussed what I would be going through with them after we had the biopsy results back.  My 19 and 10 yo were the ones that seemed to have the most problem with it and my 10 yo asked lots of questions which I answered for her.  I am still going through chemo but she seems to be doing much better with it.

KC--I'm all done, but I know the YOung Survivors Coalition talks a lot about young women who have babies after cacer treatment.  I have a friend who is quite involved with it--she's planning on trying next year. 

We should have T-shirts made saying something like "I wouldn't have made it to 50 without a mammogram!"  Funny thing is though that we all seem to have found our own lumps.  It just reminds me how important self exams are.  I too tell every woman who talks to me about it to feel their boobs!!!

Yay for great news!!!  Congrats!

I dont know if there's a post for this but I was wondering where do you buy your wigs? I want to look natural I dont want people to kno w that I'm wearing a wig. Sorry if I posted this in the wrong spot.

Hi Pavina....Sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I was diagnosed on Jun.16/11 and the waiting was the hardest!! I promise it does get easier the more you find out about the treatment and plan. I'm 41 and have an  son who is 8 and daughter who is 11. I was going crazy when I was first diagnosed and thinking that every pain in my body was cancer . I had 2 tumors in my left breat and one of the lymph nodes was positive. I had a masectomy done yesterday and then soon will be chemo and I still really dont know everyhting but as the days go bye it has gotten easier for me. I also am taking meds for my anxiety that has helped alot. You came across a great site these women are amazing people who have helped me so so much. Your going to get thru this and as each day goes by you will get stronger I promise..

Sending a hug your way!!

Taylor, I'm so sorry.  And you were holding it all together so well!  I hope you got her name and you tell your doc when you go back for your post-op appt.  And good for you for letting her know she hurt you.  That's just WRONG.  As for the wig, my insurance covered most of the cost, but I had to go to one of their approved places--the one I chose was at a hospital in Boston, so they do this a lot.  I'd call insurance first.

Welcome, Pavina.  We all have our tearful days.  Try to stay positive, and we're here for you.  

Hi everyone,

 I'm going to jump in here - I hope I'm not too off topic. I was diagnosed at age 43 with multifocal (one area was a lymoh node), IDC, stage 2B. I had chemo first, mastectomy, more chemo and radiation. 

That was over 8 years ago, ladies!! I am doing great. We've had 2 weddings and a graduation this summer. I'm taking the science courses necessary to get into a nursing program. 

Its not fun... but you will get through this and get back to your lives. I don't even think about cancer much these days. Take care,

Barb

Taylor, I'm so sorry you had to endure that garbage from someone that should be helping instead of hurting, I hope you heal quickly!

Welcome Pavina, this is the scary part.. the not knowing, but Taylor is right, it does get easier. I wish you the absolute best and remember you are not alone!

Side note~ I had to see my RO yesterday, my rad burn was getting worse.. so they gave me burn gel patches, seems to be working so far! Keeping fingers crossed that it continues.