24 yrs old, told it's BC, waiting for biopsy results

Options
Heya24
Heya24 Member Posts: 22
edited August 2015 in Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results

I had no case of BC in my family, so when I first realised I had a lump in my left breast I just assumed it was benign and ignored it because what are the chances, right? I'm so mad at myself for ignoring it... It stayed the same for a while, but then it got huge and now almost my entire breast is rock-solid. It's deformed, hot, itchy, painful, there's red spots and lotsa small bumps, and the nipple looks so infected! Ew!

I had an ultrasound, but they couldn't do a mammogram of it (it's fairly flat against my chest and not squishy at all), and I got several biopsies in the breast and armpit. I'll get the biopsy results next week, but the surgeon told me that from the breast exam and the US, he's sure it's advanced BC and that it looks like it's been there for at least a year (I had no idea it'd been there THAT long, I didn't notice at all until some months ago). He wants more scans done next week to see if it's spread and then discuss treatment options in more detail.


It's funny, I cried like a baby during the examination and the tests because I was so scared and nervous, but went completely cold when he told me it's cancer. Logically I know he's right and I should mentally prepare myself, but emotionally I'm just like "nah, everything's fine". My mom cried though and I wish I hadn't asked her to come with me for the results because the worst part about all this is watching how worried and scared she is...


But I really don't feel scared at all myself. Is that normal? Is it just shock, or denial? Anyone else here got BC in their twenties? Or have any advice? Anything? I don't know what to do from here...

Thank you for your time.

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • MusicLover
    MusicLover Member Posts: 4,225
    edited June 2015

    First off don't blame yourself at all.  Second, you probably are in shock or you may even feel that you have a lack of control over what happens next. Third, make sure that you get a scan done before they do any surgery on you, if it is cancer and it has spread already you should be given the option or it may even be suggested not to have surgery. Surgery is performed when the cancer is contained in the breast and local lymph nodes to prevent spreading.  I hope that it hasn't spread but it is good to be certain either way.  Finally, repost all of the information that you get like stage; ER, PR & Her2 status and grade and you will get a lot of advice on what your treatment plan might be like. Best wishes.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • YoungTurkNYC
    YoungTurkNYC Member Posts: 334
    edited June 2015

    Heya24,

    There is a thread called: "Ladies in their 20s"  - I believe it is fairly active. I am sorry I do not know how to link it, but if you search for it, you should be able to find it.  Please do not blame yourself at all although it is entirely normal to do that; BC IS NOT OUR FAULT.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Heya24
    Heya24 Member Posts: 22
    edited June 2015

    MusicLover and YoungTurkNYC: thank you so much for the replies and advice! And I will definitely check out that thread, thank you!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CatsRus
    CatsRus Member Posts: 310
    edited June 2015

    I wish you well Heya24 and, like the others, urge you not to blame yourself, all we can do is the best we can. I am almost certainly older than your mom, but as a mom of two daughters I can relate to her... She's probably beating herself up for not handling it better and being stronger for you. Talk to each other when you feel you can, and tell her what you need from her - you are her 'baby' and, if she's anything like me, she'd gladly take this horrible thing from you and carry it herself instead if she could.

    Take care and much luck.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Heya24
    Heya24 Member Posts: 22
    edited June 2015

    CatsRus: thank you, it's appreciated!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • JesusLVS
    JesusLVS Member Posts: 35
    edited June 2015

    heya24 I'm praying for you. I'm 27 and just finished my MRI, ultrasound, and mammogram. I will know results in a couple days. I am sorry you are going through this. Please keep us updated.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AZ85048
    AZ85048 Member Posts: 2,613
    edited June 2015

    Heya24 - I'm so sorry this has happened to you at such a young age. Here's a link to that thread that YoungTurkNY mentioned above:

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/27/topic/...

    And yes, you're probably in shock (and maybe a little denial). Just hearing those words is very much a shock. It's all very scary at the beginning, but once you have pathology and a plan in place, it's gets a little easier to deal with, I think that the worst part for many of us is the loss of control - because now you have to put yourself and much of your fate in other peoples' hands. You've just been given a ticket on a very emotional roller coaster ride, so buckle up and stay focused - you got this! Please keep us posted on how you're doing... and good luck to you!



    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • crazystupidbreastcancer
    crazystupidbreastcancer Member Posts: 26
    edited June 2015

    Hello there. I'm sorry you have to join the club nobody wants to join. Breast cancer is rough no matter what age you are. I was diagnosed 2 years ago at the age of 23. I've been done with active treatment since March 2014. Your reaction is completely normal. I did the same thing. I was numb--didn't cry at all when I found out I had breast cancer. Then 3 days later, I had to do some scans at the hospital and I saw the radiologist who had told me the diagnosis and I couldn't stop crying. Please keep us updated. Feel free to message me.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Heya24
    Heya24 Member Posts: 22
    edited June 2015

    JesusLVS:

    Thank you and I hope the results turn out benign for you. Fingers crossed!


    AZ85048 and crazystupidbreastcancer:

    Thank you so much! It's nice to know this reaction is normal. I'll definitely post the results of the bio next week (although I'm preparing for the worst I'm still hoping it's benign... I can dream, right?).

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • crazystupidbreastcancer
    crazystupidbreastcancer Member Posts: 26
    edited June 2015

    The hardest part of being newly diagnosed is that you don't know a lot of the details. The unknown is scary. And you can't help but to think of the worse case scenario. But as more testing is done and the results come in, you'll find out more information, which should help relieve the anxiety associated with not knowing the details of your diagnosis. Thinking of you!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SummerAngel
    SummerAngel Member Posts: 1,006
    edited June 2015

    I'm so sorry you're dealing with this at such a young age!

    As for your reaction, it could be shock or it could just be you. I haven't cried or felt very emotional at all during my diagnosis and surgery. It's just my personality, I guess. I tend to accept things that happen, because I know that both bad and good things happen to everyone.

    When the anesthesiologist was wheeling me into surgery he said, "I've decided that you are a very calm, stoic patient." Ha.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ClareInChicago
    ClareInChicago Member Posts: 14
    edited July 2015

    heya,

    I'm so glad that you've found support here and thank you for sharing your story. I have a 3.2 cm mass in the upper right quadrant of my right breast and a "very suspicious" lump under my right armpit. I'm going for a ultrasound guided biopsy (and aspiration) today (July 9th) at 2PM. I will let everyone here know the results as they come in.

    I consider myself to be a strong lady HOWEVER, I've gained so much strength (and knowledge) from reading yours and other women's stories on this site. You. Are. Brave. Please keep us posted and many well wishes and blessings to you!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Heya24
    Heya24 Member Posts: 22
    edited July 2015

    The results from the bio and scans are in, it's cancer and spread to the bones, with suspicious spots on my lungs, and I'm starting chemo next week, I'll get even more info then. For now my doctor is focused on getting rid of the pains I'm having, the medication he prescribed (morphine) is making me sooo sleepy and drowsy, not to mention nauseous, I just wanna sleep all day!

    I do feel a lot more positive now, and I'm still not afraid (guess it's just my personality too, SummerAngel! The nurses mentioned how incredibly well I'm handling this thing, hehe). Everyone has been so supportive, my family, friends, the hospital staff, you guys... I feel ready to kick cancer butt! Thank you all so much!

    And Clare, thank you, I wish you the best of luck as well! I've also gained strength from reading everyone's stories, it's good to not be alone in the battle. Stay strong, ok?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited July 2015

    Heya24,

    Sorry to hear that you've got mets, but the Stage IV ladies on this site are incredible. Naturally, they have threads devoted to both bone and lung mets, so you can get lots of advice and support from them there. Hope you get some meds that make you less sleepy and drowsy, and that chemo will be (relatively) gentle. Best wishes to you!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Freygea
    Freygea Member Posts: 300
    edited July 2015

    Hugs to you!. I too was dx Stage IV right from the get go. I am so glad they found that out before I had any surgery. You will feel better once they get you up and running with your plan. It could be chemo or radiation. I actually got some energy back once they started my chemo..go figure..lol.

    We are all here to help ya kick your cancer in the arse!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SummerAngel
    SummerAngel Member Posts: 1,006
    edited July 2015

    I'm so sorry to hear about your test results, so unfair! I hope you get great treatment and kick cancer's butt!

    (I've also received a ton of "you're handing this so well" comments from nurses, doctors, friends, family. I guess I'm not sure what a "typical" response is like! :))


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AZ85048
    AZ85048 Member Posts: 2,613
    edited July 2015

    Heya24 - I'm so sorry to hear of your diagnosis. It really sucks that someone your age is now a member of the club no one ever wanted to join. Just let me say that you're about to embark on a roller coaster ride - both physically and emotionally. And all of those people (family and friends) who love and support you, will want to help in some way - so you need to learn to let them. You'll also learn pretty fast that unless they've been through it, they can't really 'get it' like the women in here do. So just know that no matter what lies ahead for you, you're never alone in here. Here's a link to the Stage IV section of the boards, which is full of very kind and caring women from all over the world:

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/8

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Heya24
    Heya24 Member Posts: 22
    edited July 2015

    Thank you all so much for the support and advice! Everyone here is incredible!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Tam-iam
    Tam-iam Member Posts: 90
    edited July 2015

    Heya, I'm so sorry. This is a scary disease. You sound like an amazing and strong person. Keep drawing the love and strength from all the wonderful strong women on these boards. You are young and soooo strong. Kick cancer in the n*ts!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CatsRus
    CatsRus Member Posts: 310
    edited July 2015

    Hugs for you, and for your mom too. As AZ85048 said, it's a rollercoaster ride but I wish you lots of highs and in the lows, just hang on. Take care and be well.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Lolis197138
    Lolis197138 Member Posts: 512
    edited July 2015

    so sorry that you had to join us and at such young age! It sucks big time!!

    I was was like you, sort of numb emotionally, I didn't care much that it was cancer I only cared that some of the things that I had planned were put on hold. I was able to do everything myself even after the surgery but my family would repeat that I don't have to be strong and let them help. As another mentioned here let your family help, it's their way of feeling like their helping you and being there for you even if it is just getting a glass of water!!!

    These boards have been amazing and if you need to vent here's the place where you will be understood!!

    Wish you a quick recovery and hope your cancer gets in remission soon!!!

    Hugs!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Heya24
    Heya24 Member Posts: 22
    edited July 2015

    Thank you all so much


    Lolis:

    Yes, I am letting my family (especially my mother) help me out a lot. I understand it's important for them, and sometimes I really do need the extra help. Thank you.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • crazystupidbreastcancer
    crazystupidbreastcancer Member Posts: 26
    edited July 2015

    Heya24,

    I did the same thing when I was diagnosed. My mom, dad, and sister (who's a pediatrician) did a lot of the questions at my first few doctors. I couldn't even talk to the doctor on the phone after he said the words "you have cancer". I am so glad your family is there to help you out and offer support. The first few weeks after a diagnosis are some of the roughest. But you're doing great. Hang in there. Feel free to private message me if you want to vent or chat.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Heya24
    Heya24 Member Posts: 22
    edited July 2015

    crazystupidbreastcancer:

    Thank you! *hugs* Best of luck!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • claudy65
    claudy65 Member Posts: 1
    edited August 2015

    i was told from mamogram and ultrasound I have cancer 3cm lump bx tomorrow lump right breast calcifications left breast limp node under arm claudy can't function are bxs bad

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bluepearl
    bluepearl Member Posts: 961
    edited August 2015

    Heya24...I am so sorry. Perhaps you could share your journey with TeamShan, a Canadian website dedicated to informing and helping young people with cancer. The person who started this is Lorna Larsen who lost her daughter at 24 to breast cancer that was not diagnosed in time. Please consider sharing your story and I hope with all my heart that they can keep this under control for many years until they find a cure!!! Keep hope alive, sweetie! ((((BIG CYBER HUGS)))))

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CinderellaNC
    CinderellaNC Member Posts: 36
    edited August 2015

    you sound like an amazing , strong, gutsy woman to be going through this at the age of 24. My heart goes out to you. Let people help you in your battle. Continue to stay strong and keep the faith. You are goi g to have a lot of folks cheering you on here. Your story is truly compelling . I got caught up in this thread and just wanted to reach out to you. Hang in there . With your attitude you are going to be fine

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories