I have Cancer

I am so very sorry you have to be here, but I hope this forum will provide information and support whenever you need it. Once you have a treatment plan you will be able to direct all your anxiety and energy into getting it done and kicking cancer butt. It's not easy, but you have all of us rooting for you. Try to take each day as it comes. We have your back.

Hugs to you!

WifeMOm,

Seriously not fair that a 29 yr. old has to deal with this. ( my daughter is 29 ) if you need some anti-anxiety meds, call your Dr. Office & tell the nurse. I waited 7 months after dx & chemo, during rads for meds. That was a mistake. Also if you are not sleeping, they can give you meds to help. Hard to be tough, when you have little quality sleep.

I also have Lobular Breast cancer, they call it the "sneaky" Cancer because it is more difficult to detect.

Did they biopsy a node in your underarm?

You have every right to your feelings, mad, sad or distressed. When I was dx, it felt like my legs no longer functioned like before. I was a speed walker, that did 1/2 marathons. This website has threads for lobular, young ladies, different chemo reginims. It's a lot to learn in the beginning. You can be honest here, we get it.

As another person wisely pointed out to me, Google can be useful for help dealing with symptons/what to expect during treatment. I would not pay attention to survival stats which are a popular one to check out when first diagnosed for sure. You will go through a roller coaster. When it first happens, everything you are feeling is normal. Take people with you to appointments as may have been pointed out, they can hear what you might miss. At first, the information is overwhelming. When a treatment plan is in place, you will feel better. Let doctors know what you are feeling, when you are feeling it. There is medication for most side effects. Due to the emotional/physical trauma we go through upon diagnoses and due to some treatments, pharmaceutical help may be needed for depression, anxiety or sleeping. Take them as needed. Ask family or friends if you can for help for things like rides, housework help, shopping or meal prep if possible. Take advantage of any programs your cancer centre may offer for support whether it is physical, emotional or spiritual. I am sorry you are dealing with this, you are young. Take it one day at a time and do not project to far into the future. As far as google, there is nothing wrong with learning about your cancer through a legit website, I am thinking this website, or actual medical websites but try not to take the survival stats as gospel. You will be an individual and how you may respond or do with treatment also depends on your overall health. Be prepared to change your mind several times about treatments along the way and be aware even that is OK too. Best of luck with however you deal with your diagnosis and my best to you and yours. I am sorry you are having to deal with this.

I'm so sorry. It really does suck.

Please don't google information right now; wait until you are farther into your journey and even then I don't advise it. The time after I was first diagnosed was the worst for me. It seemed like everything was moving slowly, I had so many questions, and I was terrified. Once plans were put in motion regarding surgery and treatments, I began to feel more in control because at least I was taking action instead of waiting for the unknown. I would never tell you this will be easy because it is not easy, but I will promise you that cancer is doable. I am sending prayers and many hugs your way. This is a road no one wants to walk, but please know that we are walking right beside you.

I really feel for you but try and stay strong. This will probably be your worse time. It definitely was for me. I found that once a treatment plan was put in place, you begin to see light at the end of the tunnel. I finished rads on 1st March this year and that light is getting brighter every day. Hang in there and take every day as it comes. Try not to google or jump ahead and as another lady on here said, just breath.

Wife -

A cancer diagnosis is one impacting the entire family. And every family member handles it differently. 

My husband, the dragon slayer, was stoic, very upbeat, and appeared disinterested; I'd find out later he was a research machine and knew far more than I did.  He had a hard time talking to me about it as he was very worried and didn't want me to know.

My daughter, the upbeat, positive being, was nothing but inspiring and seemed to be handling things well, only to find out later that she'd fall apart at work.  She frequently came home with pink socks, pink ribbons, a variety of knick knacks with the cheesy warrior sayings.

My son, the quiet one.  Stoic like his dad. He was supportive in a different way. He would come home from college and fix me healthy meals, take me for long walks.  But every time he came home, he had a new golf hat with the breast cancer logo, or a shirt supporting breast cancer.  And the biggest surprise of all, a custom tattoo of an angel with the breast cancer ribbon surrounding her like a halo.  All in support of his mama.

I did my part by trying to stay as upbeat as possible, not letting them see the panic while waiting on test results.  If I needed a pity party, I'd come here and unload so as not to burden my family.

So, to all reading this.  Be there for the patient.  But do not forget about the families.  They are as panicked, probably more so, than their wife, mom, sister.

I was given lorazapam which help me cope the first month. For me I kept wanting it resolved, the fear of treatment and the unknown. How many years do I have left. It is really Hell at first, but once you get it out and start your treatment it gets so much better.

Wife - bless your heart I'm sure it's tough in a new city. We have a number of support groups where I live and I was also assigned a patient advocate by the hospital. She was awesome. The support groups were godsends. I became friends with several of the ladies. One of the support groups is through my church. That's another opportunity to meet people. You might also meet other women who home school. I relied on my support groups to get me through.

Hope your pet scan is okay. Keep the faith.

Diane

Hello, WifeMomTeacher(FIGHTER!). I am also new to this board, recently diagnosed. Though I'm older than you, I'm also "young" to have cancer (early forties), and I, too, have a five year old. I have invasive mammary carcinoma, stage 3. There is no history in my family. I was blindsided. I also started with breast pain, but was not particularly moved (I've always heard "cancer doesn't hurt" - untrue), but became terrified when my nipple retracted and the areola was pitted. I knew then. I knew.

My heart goes out to you, and your family, as I know well how you feel. Telling my children absolutely broke my heart. It's so difficult to explain cancer to a small child and to appear strong, positive, unafraid. But, you've already done it. (one hurdle, jumped...there will be many)

Please don't bother googling. There's just too much and there are too many variables. Talk to your physician, and if access is going to continue to be an issue, find a doctor who IS available, well-credentialed, and informative. If you don't feel comfortable, switch. Your body, your call.

When I started chemo, (I'm a week in) I noticed I was the youngest in the room (and so did everyone else). Over the two days, I met several other breast cancer patients. These wise women were a wealth of information and encouragement and strength. Your youth will be an advantage in this fight, I assure you. My heart goes out to so many who are battling this in advanced age, just as it does the younger women who will be robbed of the luxury of a simpler set of complications life brings at this stage of your life. I am so sorry you are going through this, also.

Though I am a newbie, I have noticed something that has actually helped me: One of the most difficult things about this experience is discovering all the "firsts"...when you first noticed the pain/nipple retraction)...when you first received your diagnosis...when you first said out loud, "I have cancer", etc. Every "first" will make you want to cry, but every first is a hurdle jumped, and it is one of many you will jump. As your body endures the treatment you must undergo, your mind MUST grow stronger, because it will make you stronger. There are so many "firsts" ahead, I promise you. But, you will get through each and every one, and you will grow stronger in doing so.

Please be encouraged that whatever comes, you are not alone and you are stronger than you know.

My prayers are with you and yours.

We are definitely very close to each other! My daughter had a track meet tonite at north marion and barrackville school was there. Such a nice distraction! I think ive actually convinced myself that im perfectly healthy..im over reacting and im just getting it checked to disprove my worry and prove its nothing. Im a lil more concerned now bc ive read several women on this forum think Clomid may be linked to their BC..i took many rounds of Clomid. I just want to see the test with the negative reading. My heartbreaks for u and even tho we are strangers we are Mountaineers and u can reach out to me to chat anytime.

sweetie i know how u feel as do most of us here i was older 42 preparing for my 2nd marriage Happy makin wedding plans when i found lump out of nowhere in shower. Please know we are here for u when all treatment is in place the anxiety will slow up be INSPIRED with HOPE N POSITIVE thoughts like I WILL BEAT THIS. Praise GOD i am a 22yr Survivior this yr. msphil idc stage2 Lmast chemo and rads n 5yrs on tamoxifen.