28 years old diagnosed today with IDC

Kstars {{{{{Hugs}}}}}}  I am so sorry that you have received this bad news and that it has conjured up so many horrible memories for you of your mother and her passing. This is so very unfair!!! 

You are getting more information about your breast cancer, selecting your doctors so you can make good decisions about your care.  It's a tough time, but you can do it and we will be with you the whole way.  (If you are having problems with anxiety or sleeping, let your PCP know)  It is so important that you take good care of yourself and let your loved ones comfort and help you.  I'll be thinking about you, hon!

Love, MsP

Hi Kstars - I am so sorry about the devastating news. No one should have to face this, especially at your age. The ladies have given you great advice. Right now IS the scariest time. You might want to join a surgery thread for the month you'll be having surgery. It helps so much to have other women who are going through something similar walk along side you. There is also a forum towards the bottom called "Young with BC", and that may be of some help to you. Take things a step at a time and try not to let your mind get too far ahead. My mother passed from BC, so I know how stunned and scared you are. Sorry again. Gentle hug.

I just wanted to add that, although it is quite natural for your mind to go there, do not draw the comparison that your experience with this dread disease will be the same as your mom's.  Even in the same family, the diagnoses and treatment can be quite different.  Individual response can be different too.

You have found a great source of info. and support.  Welcome to BCO.  Wishing a nice, clean MRI for you next week.

Hi Kelly - I was diagnosed at 28 as well. Feel free to PM me if you ever want to chat or have any questions. I know it can feel like a lonely place... but you're not alone! Take care.

Hi Kelly,

I had been considering breast conserving therapy (lumpectomy + radiation) vs mastectomy vs a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy. It was important for me to determine what I'd need in terms of radiation / chemo / hormonal therapy before making that decision. I had a lumpectomy and a sentinel node biopsy very recently. I think I am planning on a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction.

I am also in the healthcare field - I know it must be super tough right now for you! There is a lot of pressure to be working / training at 100% and be strong for your patients, no matter what is going on in your life health-wise. I was under a lot of stress worrying about work, but I realized that I needed to prioritize. I would talk to the dean or somebody similar in your masters program to consider getting some time off or finding out how they can make your schedule more flexible. This is not your fault and they should be accommodating. You need time to deal with what's going in your life right now and make the best decisions for your health!

I would definitely recommend making an appointment with a medical oncologist who is experienced with breast cancer patients, as well as a breast surgeon. The medical oncologist can help tie everything together for you, talk you through what's going on, and start to address concerns about children / fertility / whether chemo etc is needed. It's so tough going through this at a young age before children - fertility was also a big concern for me. They do have fertility doctors who specialize in working with cancer patients- I actually have an appointment with one coming up to address some of those concerns.

Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions or just want to talk. Hoping for the best for you!!

Dear KStars,

      I am much older than you but with similar diagnosis.  I am also a nurse practitioner and remember from 20 years  ago the tremendous pressure you are under.  As horrific as it is to have your mother on your mind and her passing, remember that therapies have changed so much  since that time and you have the advantage  of much research.  Blessings to you and remember to pray for strength.  You will find it if you look .  Carolyn from Tn/Fl

i,m sorry you had to join us here BUT you have come to the right place for support, for we have been where you are now, I was diagnosed while planning our wedding, but with early detection we do have HOPE, and I am now a 20 yr Survivor(Praise GOD) I found my lump in the shower. msphil(idc,stage 2,,0/3 nodes, chemo:adiamycin, cytoxin, and 5fu,L mast, radiation and 5 yrs on tamoxifen)HUGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Hey Kelly!

I am 25 and was diagnosed 6 months ago with IDC.  I finished chemo in February and had a bilateral mastectomy three weeks ago. Like you my mother had breast cancer (in her late 30's and then again in her early 40's...and then AGAIN a month before my diagnosis), so I know how scary it can be to have that family history hanging over your head.  I also happened to be diagnosed the same year my father suddenly died--I mention this only because I think having a family that feels fractured (being young and having lost a parent), made the stress of the whole thing greater.  In fact now, with my cancer *gone*, dealing with the loss of my dad feels like my greatest challenge (greater than dealing with reconstructive surgery or my weakened body or the 20 pounds I've gained or my lack of sex drive or work or medical bills).

I know I just wrote a lot that seems scary.  But when it all seems like a lot, I think of something a friend said to me early on...an old cliche that has come up again and again on this journey:  "How do you eat an elephant?"  "One bite at a time."

When I feel overwhelmed, (and I did in the beginning...all the time) I breathe and I remind myself: one bite at a time.  You can only handle one bite at a time.  Don't bite off more than you can chew... just focus on the task right ahead of you.  Breathe and don't ask what if, don't stress about that which you cannot control, just take one bite at a time. 

And if feel free to private message me if you have questions or want support.  I mean, I'm still sort of in it, but I'm happy to help if I can.