Diagnosed at 24

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Imisfit
Imisfit Member Posts: 6
edited April 2018 in Just Diagnosed

This past Monday I was diagnosed. I don’t know what stage. I guess I find out Monday when I meet with my new team of doctors. I had an mri already. Biopsy left me with a weird painful leg :(. My body hurts but I don’t know if it’s real or my brain is just like YOU HAVE BC. Lol. I try to make jokes to keep from crying. I can’t break down it will worry my family. Any advice ?

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  • Katiejane777
    Katiejane777 Member Posts: 109
    edited March 2018

    Awww hon this bit is the worst. The waiting around to find out what needs to be done next. It’s scary and just awful. I think once you have a plan it’s a bit easier. I’m sorry you are so young and dealing with all this. I’m sure others will be along soon to offer words of wisdom. Be ready for LOTS of appointments and possibly take someone with you as brains under extreme stress aren’t so good at processing stuff. Big hugs and all the best. X

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited March 2018

    Imisfit,

    Welcome to Breastcancer.org. We're so sorry to hear of your diagnosis, and at such a young age, but we're really, really glad you found us. Our community is chock full of amazing members always willing to help answer questions, offer advice and support, and give you encouragement and inspiration. We're all here for YOU! Also, our main Breastcancer.org site offers in-depth information about what you can expect when getting your diagnosis, treatment options, and practical day-to-day information.

    You're sure to get many responses here soon, and you may also want to introduce yourself on our Young With Breast Cancer forum, where you can meet others who have been diagnosed at a young age, and face similar challenges.

    We hope this helps and we look forward to hearing more from you soon!

    --The Mods

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  • beach2beach
    beach2beach Member Posts: 996
    edited March 2018

    Im sorry you have to be here, and at such a young age. You will get through this. It is true once you have a plan in place, you feel you have some control again. It is a scary time so let it out if that's how you need to deal with it.

    I'd bet from the testing and the worrying and waiting you have just been running on adrenaline. Now that you have some answers your body is reacting to all that adrenaline and your muscles will be achy and tired. Was like that for me. I know it is hard to not run away with the thoughts, it is also tough to stay brave for/in front of everyone else but like I said, if you have to let it out, let it out. I did when I wasn't in front of my kids or rest of my family. I'd have mini meltdowns.

    Please let us know how it goes. Try to keep busy on other things this weekend even though it seems impossible. (I got the news as I was headed upstate to go see a concert..it was tough. I sat at the concert and looked at every other woman wondering who has BC, who did, who doesnt know they have it, who will get it, why me. ) Let your support system work for you.

    hugs...

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  • bluepearl
    bluepearl Member Posts: 961
    edited March 2018

    The beginning of this journey is VERY scary and more so fo someone at age 24! Nerves are very much connected throughout your body...I remember my aux. dissection made my scalp hurt. all along to me teeth too. It will subside. Do not worry about breaking down; you need and should have a safe and soft place to fall because this is a journey you must not take alone. I broke down, and I was 60 at the time. The second go, it ws like "oh crap". But at age 24, you do not yet have the life skills to manage such a diagnosis and need arms around you as you travel this road. Please let us know how you are doing as you go along. Many of us can help you and give you support. My girlfriend has a Canadian TeamShan site for women who are young with breast cancer and she has travelled around the country to schools and universities spreading the message and saving lives! Hoping you have some good news ahead of you, even though it doesn't seem to be good news even to have breast cancer.....but there IS. (((HUGS)))

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  • Sophiemara
    Sophiemara Member Posts: 66
    edited March 2018

    So sorry Imisfit, i was dx at 34 and have a friend who was at 27. It's scary, but things will definitely get better when your docs have a treatment plan in place.

    Take a good family member or friend to your appointments for support.

    Join a young women's support group, it will help a lot to meet others going through similar. I did, although I don't go to the group anymore I made some amazing friends. You will get through this! I went on autopilot and followed treatment plan and overhauled my exercise and diet regime by seeing a naturopath.

    Get tested for brca gene..do you have family history of bc? Young girls tends to have a disposition.

    Plus it’s absolutely ok to cry, don’t worry about your family, put yourself first.

    Stay strong, lots of people survive this! If you want to chat let me know 😊

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  • sammi2006
    sammi2006 Member Posts: 74
    edited March 2018

    I am so sorry that you have to join in the club that no one wants to be in. I was diagnosed last summer at 29. The best advice that I can give is to have someone you trust go with you to all of your appointments at this time. Get a little notebook and write down any questions you have ahead of time, bring that notebook with you so that you don't forget your questions. Have that person you bring with you take notes while you and your drs talk. There is so much information to swallow in such a small amount of time and that can make it hard to remember everything you need to know.

    Also, find a place where you can vent/break down when you are ready.

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  • bluepearl
    bluepearl Member Posts: 961
    edited March 2018

    Also, look up "Young Survivors Coalition" for some uplifting stories.

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  • Gudrun
    Gudrun Member Posts: 140
    edited March 2018

    Dear Imisfit,

    I'm so sorry to hear what you are going through right now. The waiting and not knowing is excruciating and unendurable. Monday you'll get a plan and eventually get back some feeling of control.

    Is there anybody around you over the weekend or can you keep contact with someone of your family by phoning or chatting?

    If it helps, stay here, there are always women who listen and who unterstand.

    Do not despair. Your medical staff will soon find the right way and take care of you. My daughter was diagnosed at 28. It's nearly 3 years now and she's fine.

    You are in my thoughts.

    Gudrun

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  • Hadiya
    Hadiya Member Posts: 37
    edited March 2018

    Sending love, love and more love! <3

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  • Imisfit
    Imisfit Member Posts: 6
    edited March 2018

    they think it’s stage 3 or 4 depending on if it has spread or not. Getting my port put in soon. Invasive ductal carcinoma is what’s on my pathology report.

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  • Dustien
    Dustien Member Posts: 56
    edited March 2018

    Imisfit, Welcome to The Breast Cancer Band of Sisters! We're sorry you had to join us, but we're glad you found us. Right now I'm sure you're still in shock ( I'm not sure I'm out of it). But I firmly believe we all have a deep well of "can do attitude" inside us somewhere, you just have to pull on it. Learn all you can about your situation and what your facing. Don't be afraid to break down and have a good cry whenever you need...that's not admitting weakness, that's simply admitting your humanity. Then when you're done, wipe the tears and come back ready to fight! Most of all, enjoy your friends and family and don't be afraid of letting them in. You will need them so don't try to suck it up in front of them. They want to be on your side and in this fight with you, believe me. Lots of good advice in here already and more coming, I know all your "elders" in here have their arms around you already and are sending strength and positive thoughts you way!

    Here's hoping their diagnosis is less then stage 3 once they get in there and no lymph nodes are involved!

    Dustie

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited March 2018

    Definitely get the genetic testing--there are way more genetic mutations than the BRCA genes, btw, and some of them can cause other cancers. You'll want to know, so you can plan on further surveillance in the future.

    I'm really sorry you have to join our club. I can't even imagine, at age 24. However, here's where I need to tell you about my Auntie Gladys: Auntie was diagnosed with BC at age 24, in 1912. This was truly the Stone Age of cancer treatment. No radiation, no chemo, no anti-hormonal drugs. Just "lop it all off and cross your fingers". Auntie went on to live a full life and died in her sleep in her 90s. Dementia is what got her. She never had cancer again.

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  • Valentina7268279
    Valentina7268279 Member Posts: 74
    edited April 2018

    I am so so sorry for your diagnosis. I am 33 and I was diagnosed in November just one month after my birthday and I do understand how you feel and you are not alone! Feel free to write, ask whenever/ whatever you want/need!!

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  • Beatmon
    Beatmon Member Posts: 1,562
    edited April 2018

    I’m so very sorry that you are faced with this.

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