Diagnosed with breast cancer at 27

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kjybaby
kjybaby Member Posts: 15
edited November 2014 in Just Diagnosed

I was officially diagnosed on Halloween (how fitting?) at 27 years old with IDC and DCIS of the right breast. From what I know now, it's stage I-early stage II, grade 3 with a high ki-67 rate (94%). I guess the "good" news is that it's ER+ and will respond to hormone treatment, and that the left breast is completely clear, and I've been told it's unlikely I will have to undergo radiation, though of course we won't know until the auxiliary node dissection the day of surgery. However, the HER2 test came back inconclusive and is currently being re-tested. I've been told I will definitely need a mastectomy (skin-sparing but not nipple-sparing), and six rounds of chemotherapy. As I understand it, though HER2 positive means a more aggressive cancer, Heceptin is extremely efficient at targeting it. I'm not sure if I'm hoping the results come back negative or positive.

Honestly, none of this feels real. I understand what's happening, but I am unsure as to whether or not it's hit me yet. I'd like to say it doesn't run in the family, but I met with the genetics specialists yesterday to undergo a panel testing (inclusive of BRCA 1 and 2, along with P53 and 23 other genes). I won't know the results for 3 or 4 weeks.

I think I'm having mostly good days with moments of feeling overwhelmed. Not that there is a good time in life to get cancer, but the timing is so incredible: I found out I had cancer the day I signed the lease on my first apartment and during my final semester of college. I've already had to drop the classes because I fell behind and was unable to concentrate on schoolwork.

I have so many questions and so much confusion about how this happens to anyone, but especially at such a young age. Trying to find the positives in this ordeal but what are they??

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  • fifthyear
    fifthyear Member Posts: 225
    edited November 2014

    I know someone with more understanding of HER2 will chime in soon, just wanted to give you a cyber hug. It is unfair to be diagnosed with this beast in such a young age. Get a good team of docs to help you through this. Let us know.


     

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  • Siren40
    Siren40 Member Posts: 31
    edited November 2014

    welcome to the group. I'm so sorry you are here but wanted to let you know you aren't alone. I'm a newbie myself, just diagnosed October 10th, but I've learned so much already. Your stats sound a lot like mine, especially with the HER2 results. They've run 4 tests and 3 were equivocal with one barely positive. However, they are treating me with Herceptin because it's really THAT good. I've been told by many doctors that they are actually hoping for HER2 in some patients because the therapy is so effective. My oncologist just told me last night he thinks it's the biggest medical breakthrough of his 25 year career.

    I'm sure you have a ton of questions and you will find some unbelievably smart and kind women here. I understand how you're feeling because I feel the same way. However, I have a plan now and it's getting easier to wrap my head around. Please allow yourself a chance to grieve and experience your emotions. There is no wrong way to feel. But please know you aren't alone. ((((HUGS)))).

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited November 2014

    Hi kjybaby, and welcome to Breastcancer.org,

    We're so sorry you have to be here, but really happy you've found us. You'll find our community an amazing place of support, knowledge, and advice.

    To meet some others around your age, and gain some inspiration, you may want to check out our Young With Breast Cancer forum. There are lots of great young ladies there ready to share their experience with you and guide you through yours.

    We hope this helps! Please continue to post and let us know how you're doing! What other questions do you have?

    --Your Mods

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  • Bippy625
    Bippy625 Member Posts: 890
    edited November 2014

    hi, welcome to the club! i am very HER2+++. Good news, you may qualify for Perjeta too, it was recently approved for early stage BC. It is a godsend and works well with herceptin. I am finishing my last chemo as I type this. i also did 6. It sucks but is doable. I am nearly twice your age so if I can, you can!

    My two tumors that were palpable are unable to be found on manual exam, they dissolved after round 2 of chemo. You are not alone! Good advice that was given to me from BCO members: Peruse these boards relating to surgery, radiation, and your chemo protocol. Stay off the Stage 4 boards, and do not use dr. Google. Get copies of all your scan reports, and pathology too, as they will be greatly needed in doing research.

    I am sorry you have the BC but you will find this the best place to learn, cry, yell, vent, and chat whenever you need to. Lastly, it is not your fault you got it, so do not go there ever.

    Hugs

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  • mdg
    mdg Member Posts: 3,571
    edited November 2014


    I am so sorry you have joined our group.....it is not fun but at least here you will find support and understanding.  My HER2 came back inconclusive at first and then they did the FISH test and it came back negative.  I wondered the same thing if it was good or bad before I had the results.  The good news is there have been new medications out recently that significantly help HER2 + breast cancer so if it comes back positive, there are more options. 

    When I was dx all of it seemed like a bad dream.....I know it just doesn't seem real. I do want to tell you that almost 4 years later, life has returned to normal and I feel great.  You will have a long year now, but get through it and then you can move forward and find the new normal. 

    I also had a bilateral mastectomy and chemo.  None of it is fun, but it is doable.  Just take all of this one step at a time.  Take a deep breath!

    Sending hugs!

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  • Holeinone
    Holeinone Member Posts: 2,478
    edited November 2014

    kjybaby,

    Not fair, so very sorry. I hate it when someone your age gets diagnosed. It all sucks!

    Lots of support here, whatever your dx & treatment will be. My advice is to keep busy & be kind to yourself. You did nothing to cause it.

    My daughter is 28. Sadly many of her friends moms have also been dx. My stage 3 dx came as a shock to all, as I was proactive on prevention. It is all too common.

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  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 3,257
    edited November 2014


    Sorry hon...so not fair at 27 (or any age but young is just plain WRONG!) and just want to send you a big cyber hug and tell you we are here for you!

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  • Fayette37
    Fayette37 Member Posts: 15
    edited November 2014

    Hi, kjybaby-

    I'm not as young as you are (42), but felt a little "too young" to have BC when I was diagnosed in May of this year. You and I have very similar diagnoses--even the same breast.

    I just finished chemotherapy less than three weeks ago, and none of this seems real some days. It happens fast! The best advice I've gotten was from one of my first BC nurses, who told me to get ANY negative people or attitudes out of my life. That was something that helped.

    It may not feel like it right now, but...YOU GOT THIS!



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  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited November 2014

    Hi - so very sorry you've joined this group of women, although it's as wonderful a bunch of people as you will ever meet.

    I know some people will tell you to stay positive and to find the silver lining, etc., etc. I am here to tell you that it is GOOD to be angry, to vent, to bitch and moan and to let it all out. Especially here, on this site. We have ALL been there. You don't have to be strong for US.

    That doesn't mean that letting regret and anger dominate your life is a a helpful approach to cancer - it's definitely not. However, you'll find there's a lot of external pressure to 'be strong' and to smile your way through. No one says that to people with heart failure, or kidney cancer or Parkinson's. There's no reason women with breast cancer should bear the burden of being strong and smiley for everyone else.

    So, while it's healthiest to try to stay positive, don't feel you should deny your feelings or avoid facing them. Sometimes that's the best way to process them.

    I'm sorry you've had to drop your classes for this semester. You might find it helpful if you can find one on-line course (maybe pass/no pass) in an area that's interesting and easy. Sometimes it really helps to have something to take your mind off of the cancer and it helps if there's no pressure involved.

    Good luck as you wait for further details of your pathology and fine tune your treatment plan. Hang in there.

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  • bride
    bride Member Posts: 382
    edited November 2014

    Hi, kjybaby,

    Sorry that you are joining us. I was DXed a year and 2 days ago with triple positive IBC. I did 16 chemo infusions, then surgery, then 30 rads. I'm still getting Herceptin infusions every 3 weeks. I've had no side effects from the hormonal treatment though I was allergic to Taxotere, the chemo agent and got every known side effect. There can be excellent outcomes to what seems to be the worse possible situation: after my UM, my pathology report came back showing no evidence of disease.

    Your emotional response is perfectly normal. When you see your MO, ask her for a referral to both a support group and a mental healthcare worker. And, of course, this group is always here for you.

    Let me give you some advice I was given when I was first DXed. Get a large file and keep copies of every piece of paper you get. I have sections for labs, breast tests, other tests (Petscans, echograms, etc), chemo, rads, etc. I have a separate file for all my insurance stuff. If possible, please take someone with you to your appointments. They can take notes, ask questions, and, generally, ease some of the fear. Also, get a notebook to write down your questions.

    You wrote that you've had to drop out of college because of this. You might want to check whether you can continue your insurance if you pay the premium. If that's not possible, there are other ways to get help with your medical bills. And don't fret about dropping out of college: I taught college for 30 years and know that eventually going back to finish will not be a big deal.

    After a year during which I had little time for anything but dealing with my cancer, it still feels unreal at times. Disbelief, anger, fear, and bargaining are part of the emotional response we've all had. Despite all your emotions (mine felt out of control), you can do this.

    best,

    bride


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  • Cuetang
    Cuetang Member Posts: 575
    edited November 2014

    kjybaby-- sorry you had to join the club! you've got great advice from the others that responded to your thread. There's the diagnosed young threads here on BCO. i also wanted to make you aware of the Young Survival Coalition (YSC), which has women that are diagnosed under 40 with breast cancer. YSC has a large group of ladies in the Washington, DC area that meet monthly for happy hour, if you're up for speaking with others about breast cancer and their experiences. Of course, the rest of us are here on the various threads/boards to help provide advice and our experiences through the process. BC is the crappiest emotional roller coaster to be on, so hang in there, and we are all here for you.

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