just got diagnosed at age 29

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superbuggle
superbuggle Member Posts: 6

Hi everyone. I just got diagnosed with IDC 4 days ago. I am 29 years old with no history of any cancer in my family. I am really scared and I don't know what I am up against. Maybe that is a good thing. I sat down and thought about what scares me the most so I can start to deal with the fear and I am the most scared about my life expectancy. I don't know how long women live after breast cancer. I just lost my mom to Lou Gehrig's disease last November and I am so upset at this diagnosis.

Are there women who can live their full lives after being diagnosed?

I guess I will find out more about my chances after I have my surgery and they tell me what stage this cancer is. 

Thanks 

Comments

  • Faith316
    Faith316 Member Posts: 2,431
    edited November 2011

    You are at the hardest part of the journey --- having the diagnosis, but not the specifics of the cancer nor the treatment plan.  Once you get everything in place and know what you are up against, it gets easier.  I'm sorry that you have to join us, but this forum will be a huge support system for you.  Lean on the women here and we'll help you get through it.

  • bgail84
    bgail84 Member Posts: 94
    edited November 2011

    I am so sorry!! I too just got my diagnosis and I know how afraid you are. The waiting is the

    worse part. I don't meet with my surgeon until the 16th for labs. The women here have been very

    supportive and helpful. Will be thinking of you.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2011

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  • KinAZ
    KinAZ Member Posts: 180
    edited November 2011

    Faith is right.. this is the hardest part.  This is doable, and yes, you can have a full life again.  There are many sisters here that are years beyond bc diagnosis and treatment. This site offers information, support, and hope. 

    hugs to you

  • ma111
    ma111 Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2011

    Superbugle,

    Waiting is so hard and you are so young. Do you also have small children? I will say a special prayer for you that your are at least early stage.

    Also sorry that you lost your mother last November. I am glad you found us. There are a lot of good people here that will help you through your journey.

  • peggy_j
    peggy_j Member Posts: 1,700
    edited November 2011
    superbuggle sorry to hear about your Dx. I know a woman who was diagnosed at 30 and she's already a 31 yr survivor. (she's 61 now and planning to live to 90). Back then, the only option was MX, so that's what she had (no tamoxifen; wasn't being used yet). They have two sons; I know at least one of them was born after her DX and TX.  She said she barely thinks about BC at all. So yes, you can have a long full life. I know this is a difficult time. Best of luck.
  • kisxxoo
    kisxxoo Member Posts: 21
    edited November 2011

    I am 29 as well. I have to exact same fears as you. It's so hard to find information on BC in our age group. I am stage 1, node-, brca1, and er+. The waiting game is very hard. I just did my first round of chemo. I know how it feels to feel alone but we are not.

  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 6,201
    edited November 2011

    My dear friend was diagnosed at 30 and that was 18 years ago... no signs of cancer anywhere... You young women especially must feel more scared  as you probably don't have many friends in your situation... But there are lots of women on here who have been in your shoes. I have met many women this past year who are both young and old, and we are all sisters with this disease.

    kisxxoo... I especially know a lot of young BRCA positive women.. You are lucky to have found out while you are young and have an early stage cancer.. So is your plan a BMX, Oofrectomy, Chemo and Tamoxifen?

     Superbuggle.. many women your age face the cancer as aggressively as possible and live to a very old age... The uncertain waiting time is the worst.. Let us know when you know more about your diagnosis... Stay positive!!!

  • kisxxoo
    kisxxoo Member Posts: 21
    edited November 2011

    I just did my first round of chemo on Thursday. They have me taking 4 treatments of TC. I will be doing a bmx but I'm having trouble finding info on if I should do it before or after try for kids. My onc says before my surgeon says she will be watching me like a hawk and it can wait... I'm not too sad about losing them cause I'll get a nice set of new ones but this chemo is really draining and makes eating hard.

  • kisxxoo
    kisxxoo Member Posts: 21
    edited November 2011

    And in will be on tamoxifen after radiation.

  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 6,201
    edited November 2011

    I would have the surgery before kids... You don't need your breasts to have children... I know a woman whose sister tested positive for BRCA and said she was going to wait till after she had her kids... that was a bad choice for her. Now her children don't have a mother... I would finish chemo, have the BMX, have the radiation (if you even still need that after a BMX since you are node negative), start the tamoxifen and then discuss kids.. and then when you are done, have your ovaries removed... Of course, you need to do what you feel you need to do... just my 2 cents.

    I also was on TC... not fun, but doable... and it will be over soon.

  • kisxxoo
    kisxxoo Member Posts: 21
    edited November 2011

    Yeah that is what I am leaning towards as well. But I am going to finish/tackle one thing at a time, I think it helps keep my stress lower. It's true when they say how fast everything moves and u feel like things spin out of control. Having children is very important to me so I want to make the best decisions to be around for those children as well.

  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 6,201
    edited November 2011

    I am sure you will make the best choice for you... I also took one thing at a time... it felt good to cross things off the list... Luckily I am down to my last item (tamoxifen).. I start next month... and then just maintenance.

  • kisxxoo
    kisxxoo Member Posts: 21
    edited November 2011

    Yeah my journey just started but I do have some things crossed off. My port has been quite annoying and very uncomfortable. I just can't wait for chemo to be over, it's pretty rough!

  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 6,201
    edited November 2011

    PM me anytime you need a gentle hug... I didn't mind my port until it got infected and caused a blood clot... I was actually glad I had it until then... luckily I was done with it, so out it came. YAY!

  • kisxxoo
    kisxxoo Member Posts: 21
    edited November 2011

    my Port is quite uncomfortable, but it is better than being stuck in the arm non-stop and too look like a drug addict.  I had my first trip to the ER yesterday which was a HUGE waste of my time. I had major trouble breathing and the ER found nothing.  THey said it was a reaction to chemo...my BC nurse said that is not a normal reaction or a side effect of Chemo.  Today it is much better but still have trouble breathing, my lungs feel heavy and prickly. i may be coming down with something, i am waiting on a call from my onc to see what they want me to do next.

  • bdavis
    bdavis Member Posts: 6,201
    edited November 2011

    I disagree... Breathing issues ARE a side effect of chemo... I believe, although I am now a few months post chemo and am not in the mindset, that chemo can cause swelling in the chest, one reason to take steroids.  I remember being told to let the oncologist know if you experience this...

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