Diagnosed at 35...will I live a long life?

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Kimm992
Kimm992 Member Posts: 135
edited February 2016 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

I was recently diagnosed with IDC ER/PR negative, HER2+.

I've completed 2 rounds of FEC so far and am handling it pretty well.

Lately though, I can't help but wonder about long term survival. Who gets cancer at 35 years old and lives to be an old woman? It is hard for me to imagine that I will still be around to see my grandchildren.

I am normally very positive about this whole experience and able to face it bravely

I know that nobody has any answers...I just felt like I needed to get that thought out.


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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited December 2015

    Hi kimm,

    We know it must be hard to stay positive, but we can assure you there are LOTS of women here who have lived a long, long, long time post-diagnosis. Most however don't post here any more because they are way past that point in their lives and they are enjoying life outside of this Community.

    However, there are some very inspirational members who still hang around to give encouragement to newbies like you who need it! Check out these threads to put some positive power back into your mind :)

    We hope this helps bring some light into your life!

    --The Mods

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  • RebzAmy
    RebzAmy Member Posts: 322
    edited December 2015

    Hi Kimm

    Sorry to hear about your diagnosis - mine was very similar and I was also in my early 30s - that was now eight years ago and I'm fine. You will get through it and being HER2+ means you get Herceptin. I had my chemo first and could feel the lumps shrinking literally and then had surgery and radiotherapy. Thinking of you and you will get through it - think positively - I know sometimes it's hard but try and surround yourself with positive people only

    Hugs

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  • Kimm992
    Kimm992 Member Posts: 135
    edited December 2015

    Thank you 1000 times for these posts!!! It helps so much!!!

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  • wabals
    wabals Member Posts: 242
    edited December 2015

    Kimm you are getting great treatment. Your tumor was tiny. You will be fine! Believe it

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  • lkc
    lkc Member Posts: 1,203
    edited December 2015

    hi sweetie. i was also diagnosed with er, pr neg, her 2 pos bc/ i was stage IIIC with 12 pos nodes, blah, blah blah. That was 10.5 yrs ago, and l am well and livin large.

    take one day at a time. you'll be ok.

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  • littleblueflowers
    littleblueflowers Member Posts: 2,000
    edited December 2015

    I'm so glad you were brave enough to ask this question. I think it's the one thing most of us youngsters worry about the most. (Hugs)

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  • Nancy2581
    Nancy2581 Member Posts: 1,234
    edited December 2015

    I wonder this too - and I'm 53. Before BC I was convinced I would live to be in my 90s like my mom. Hmm don't think so anymore. I know this is negative but I'm always thinking not if cancer will come back , but when. Stupid disease

    Nancy

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  • cajunqueen15
    cajunqueen15 Member Posts: 794
    edited December 2015

    Hi! I have a different profile but was also diagnosed just after my 35th bday. The nurse who accesess my port survived childhood leukemia and then bc in her 30s. Nine years NED and counting! But I think about it a lot too.. You are not alone.

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  • MeToo14
    MeToo14 Member Posts: 493
    edited December 2015

    Kimm992 I too was 35 when diagnosed, I think about that everyday. I must say though, that some days are better than ever. I love reading the long-term survivor threads. Stay strong and reach out when you need to.

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  • lintrollerderby
    lintrollerderby Member Posts: 483
    edited December 2015
    I was diagnosed with Triple Negative not long after turning 34. I then found out I'm BRCA1 positive. I know precisely the fear and uncertainty that you ladies are enduring. I am no long term survivor, but I am 4.5 years out. Every month, it feels like I can breathe just a bit easier, yet I'm all too aware that my luck can change at any moment.
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  • Kimm992
    Kimm992 Member Posts: 135
    edited December 2015

    Thank you all for the replies...it's nice to know I'm not alone!!

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  • crabbiepattie
    crabbiepattie Member Posts: 108
    edited January 2016

    My wonderful mother-in-law lived 50 years after being treated for breast cancer while in her 30s. No recurrence. Surgery and radiation was far worse then although she didn't have chemo.

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  • Stephmoen
    Stephmoen Member Posts: 563
    edited January 2016

    I was diagnosed at 29 I also fear reoccurance but I am so inspired by all the survivor stories I have read and all the amazing advances they have made for us her2 gals I have 3 more herceptins had complete response to chemo.. hang in there!

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  • MEG2
    MEG2 Member Posts: 114
    edited January 2016

    My SIL's grandmother was diagnosed in her early 40's (this was in the '70's) and lived well into her 80's and did not die of BC. My friend Monica was diagnosed at age 39, that was 14 years ago and she's going strong today with no recurrence. None of us has any guarantee but there are plenty of long-term survival stories, these ladies are my touch stones...I know it can be done. I stay positive, healthy and live daily as if I'm going to live for a very, very long time.

    Hang in there, fight the fight, keep positive and know that you have many supporters here. It does get better day by day, week by week, month by month and then year by year.

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  • LM070917
    LM070917 Member Posts: 323
    edited January 2016

    I'm 34 and I know exactly what you mean..my grandmothers both lived into their 90s, never having cancer. Life can seem unfair, but It's about resilience and dealing with what challenges comes your way. Ok, this isn't exactly how I had planned my life, but hey we'll still here, it's all about positive thinking 😀😜😀

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  • TaniaE
    TaniaE Member Posts: 92
    edited January 2016

    I have a really good friend who was also HER2 +, three tumours found and 25 positive lymph nodes. She's 8 years out and doing well. Just keep positive

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  • LizA17
    LizA17 Member Posts: 159
    edited January 2016

    My Oncologist told me I would live a long life and probably die of something other than cancer. I thought that was a pretty bold statement considering breast cancer & reoccurence are such a crap shoot. But...I told him I was going to hold him to it!!

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  • Kimm992
    Kimm992 Member Posts: 135
    edited January 2016

    Thanks for all of the replies! I know there are no guarantees in life but it's nice to hear from people who have positive stories!

    I asked my oncologist this question the other week and his response was "save your money"...basically I should be planning for retirement because they are really good at treating breast cancer now and chances are that I AM going to live a long life.

    It was nice to hear :)

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  • ChicagoReader
    ChicagoReader Member Posts: 110
    edited January 2016

    Kimm, I just saw your post or I would have replied sooner. A close friend of mine was diagnosed with Stage IIA IDC at age 36. I am delighted to report that she just celebrated her 50th birthday.


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  • coconut123
    coconut123 Member Posts: 5
    edited February 2016
    • I was 36 at dx.....in 2006...no signs of it yet
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  • Kimm992
    Kimm992 Member Posts: 135
    edited February 2016

    Thank you!! It helps so much to read all of these replies!

    Just had my final round of chemo today...15 more herceptin's to go!!

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