Stage 1, grade 3, 31 year old here..

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VioletKali
VioletKali Member Posts: 243
edited July 2014 in Stage I Breast Cancer

Hi everyone, I thought I would post because I am "here" with you all. I was DX on the 19th.

My tumor is 1.6cm X 1.0 cm, this was a measurement taken prior to core biopsy. I am er+pr+and HER2+.

I saw the surgeon yesterday, who does not want to operate until we know the BRCA mutation status. Okay, makes sense. His office is making an appointment for me with the medical oncologist I chose, which he happens to work with.

I am assuming that due to my age, her2+, and grade 3, that chemo is likely in my future.. So I am in waiting mode right now.

Oh, I have DCIS small area, 5% of total tumor mass.. IDC .

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  • Karc80
    Karc80 Member Posts: 14
    edited June 2014

    I don't have much to say except that I saw your age and want you to know you're not alone!  I'm 33 married with 2 little girls (9 and 3).   I was fd in May.  Had rt side mastectomy and first round of chemo last week.  So far so good!  Surgery was NOT as bad as I thought and the worst side effect I've had from chemo is ACNE!  Didn't see that one coming.  Right now I'm in the process of being a "whiny" patient because I've had rib pain for months on the same side.  Doc doesn't think it's related but my googling and fear has me worried that they are missing something.  Pm me if you have questions or want to chat.  I felt so alone at first.  Most women were 40 or older, not with small children and everyone kept saying "oh!  You're so young". Like that hadn't crossed my mind ;-). Take care!  Waiting is the hardest part.

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  • Karc80
    Karc80 Member Posts: 14
    edited June 2014

    HA!  I just realized my post says fd in may!  Should have been DX in May!  Nice autocorrect.  I was would edit but fd in may is crude, but true as well. LOl!  

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  • Toastiecat
    Toastiecat Member Posts: 132
    edited July 2014

    Hi,

    I just wanted to chime in too to say you're not alone. I was dx'd in 2012 at 28. When do you see the oncologist?

    Here are some support organizations that have been helpful to me:

    Stupid Cancer -- for young adults with all type of cancer: http://stupidcancer.org/

    Young Survival Coalition -- for women with BC under 40: http://www.youngsurvival.org/

    CancerCare -- free counseling, phone or in person: http://www.cancercare.org/

    Bigs hugs!! Feel free to PM me if you want to talk.

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  • farmerlucy
    farmerlucy Member Posts: 3,985
    edited July 2014

    Has anyone used Cancercare.org? Are there any strings attached? Thanks!

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  • VioletKali
    VioletKali Member Posts: 243
    edited July 2014

    I saw my Oncologist July 7th. I like him. He recommends weekly Taxol, herceptin therapy, as well as 10 years of tamoxifen. That sound good to me.

    I am BRCA- So YAY!  I am still having a bilateral mastectomy, because I do not wish to have RADS.

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  • lintrollerderby
    lintrollerderby Member Posts: 483
    edited July 2014

    Welcome and I'm sorry you're here because of a diagnosis, but glad that you found the site. Congrats on the negative BRCA result! For me, testing positive was almost as much of a shock as the cancer diagnosis. I was 34 when diagnosed. Being in your early 30s with breast cancer is a unique position to be in and presents some challenges of its own. I'm glad you like your MO; that makes a big difference. 

    Best of luck!

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  • Toastiecat
    Toastiecat Member Posts: 132
    edited July 2014

    Lucy, my husband and I both used CancerCare. No strings attached at all -- we both went to in person counseling. You get 12 sessions free. Unfortunately you can't continue with the therapist after that, even outside of CancerCare. Definitely check it out!

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  • Toastiecat
    Toastiecat Member Posts: 132
    edited July 2014

    Does it feel good to have your marching orders? I felt a lot more calm once my chemo plan was in place. I did taxol/herceptin as well. I definitely experienced fewer side effects than my friends on ACT or TC. It's not nice, but you can do it!

    Keep in mind that having a BMX doesn't absolutely take rads off the table (it didn't for me) and that you can always take more tissue off, but you can't put it back on. I don't want to discourage you from getting the BMX -- I made the same choice. But it's a really tough one. Big hugs!

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  • VioletKali
    VioletKali Member Posts: 243
    edited July 2014

    RADS is already off of the table because I am refusing it. I am a Nurse, so unfortunately I am aware of the risk I take :/     For *me* the risk of RADS is not worth it's benefits. That is about me though, and I would never encourage anyone to forgo RADS. It is just a personal decision.

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  • Toastiecat
    Toastiecat Member Posts: 132
    edited July 2014

    Got it. Totally understand. Radiation has so many SEs...and I feel like drs often aren't really up front about the ones that most mess with quality of life. None of these choices are easy, and they're also super personal. Best of luck with chemo! xoxo

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  • Cuetang
    Cuetang Member Posts: 575
    edited July 2014

    VioletKali--  another 30 something here hopping on just to give a big virtual HUG.  All the great advice and resources have already been given so nothing more to add here; hopefully you have surgery and your treatment plan scheduled already.  Kick some Cancer butt!

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