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dc89
dc89 Member Posts: 7
edited October 2018 in Stage IV/Metastatic Breast Cancer ONLY

Hello all!

I found out I had breast cancer on 8/30/18 with suspicious lymph nodes. I was diagnosed as stage 4 on 9/12/18. I am 29 years old, married for 6 years, and have two young children. This had turned my world upside down. This is not something I ever thought I would have to worry about at this age. I feel like all the plans I had for my life have flown out the window.

I started chemo on 9/14/18. Currently on taxotere, perjeta, and perception. So far there has been a very positive improvement in the breast and I will have a repeat pet scan after my 3rd round, just had my second last week. Just having a hard time and looking for support.

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  • Larkin
    Larkin Member Posts: 58
    edited October 2018

    Sorry you had to join us. You are just so young for this terrible disease. Hope you find strength and support here and that your treatment works really well

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  • Daywalker
    Daywalker Member Posts: 99
    edited October 2018

    Hi dc89, I can so absolutely relate to your emotions now..I was diagnosed last year February, at the time I was 41, and I have three boys, the youngest being 9 now. I am so sorry for this hard thing to happen to you, at any age it sucks, but at such a young age it is harder for sure. I had one met to my liver at diagnosis, but herceptin and docetaxol got rid of it after two cycles. So far so good, my body is clear of any active cancer after 18 months, and even though I have to live day by day, I do feel 'safer' now than last year. In your favour, the combination of Perjeta and herceptin has proved to be a mega bomb on those cancer cells, so in a way your type of cancer is an advantage I believe. (not that any type of cancer is advantageous but you know what I mean)... One day at a time, I know it is very hard to do that, but we only have this moment anyway xx

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  • Parrynd1
    Parrynd1 Member Posts: 408
    edited October 2018

    DC,

    I was diagnosed at 28 in 2016. Sucks to join the club. It feels extra unfair being young amongst the young group. I’m glad your treatment is going well so far! I too had many plans before bc. I still do, but I’ve had to rework them. I recently finished my bachelors degree, took a trip to San Francisco, and am still planning to get married in January to my bf of 10 years. The plans aren’t lost. Reach out if you have questions, want to just complain, or whatever else. These forums help me a lot, as well as, the people I’ve met here. Especially since no one my age really gets what I’m going through or how shitty chemo and side effects can feel.I’ll say try not to google bc statistics, but I think we all go down that rabbit hole - just know the info out there on Dr. Google is bleak, but also OLD! You never know what will happen in life and cancer doesn’t mean the end of it. Hair grows back and scars heal & fade. The fear and worry I can’t say go away, but you learn to cope. Cancer takes away so many choices about your life, but you can choose to see the positive in your situation, whatever it may be, and you can choose to try to have a good attitude each day (I struggle with this since I have a lot of anger about my diagnosis, but hey we all have our demons). Welcome Sister I hope you find comfort and whatever else you are looking for here.


    Cheers

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  • asianmom
    asianmom Member Posts: 8
    edited October 2018

    I got diagnosed at 40 yrs but I actually had the lump for 3 years and never think it is cancer bc I have very healthy life style and no symptoms and no family history. Lucky me it has not gone anywhere. I have just had surgery last Thursday and still waiting for my oncotype and lump node test result. My life feels up side down. and life shorter than what you have planned. My doctor told me even someone at stage 4 and still live 20 year out so try not to worry.

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  • pajim
    pajim Member Posts: 2,785
    edited October 2018

    dc89, welcome to the club no one wants to join. Very exclusive with only the best people!

    You're in what I like to call the 'shock and awe' period. We've all been there. Fear, pain, lots of crying, trouble sleeping, etc. This will pass. Once you have that PET scan and it shows the cancer going away you'll feel better. Meantime ask the docs for any supportive meds you need.

    And once you've done enough taxotere that you can continue with H&P alone, you'll feel better physically as well.

    I think there's a thread specifically HER2+ ladies (I'm not one so I don't know which it is) or if there isn't, start one yourself!

    Welcome again.


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  • NotVeryBrave
    NotVeryBrave Member Posts: 1,287
    edited October 2018

    Wow - that's a lot to take in at a young age with small children. I'm very sorry. It sounds like it's been a whirlwind with very little time for processing this.

    TCHP often has really good results. So while triple positive BC is more aggressive - it also has some kick ass drugs. I'm a success story. At least so far. 😉

    I hope you'll be a great success, too!

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  • illimae
    illimae Member Posts: 5,710
    edited October 2018

    Hi DC89, I was diagnosed at 41 with a bone met, then brain mets later on but I’m doing pretty good. I had Abraxane and still continue with Herceptin and Perjeta, which has been pretty tolerable. There’s a young and stage 4 thread but it’s not very active and other threads relative to where you BC spread, like bone, liver, brain. Happy to answer any questions you may have. It’s crazy now but things will get better 🙂

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  • Cure-ious
    Cure-ious Member Posts: 2,626
    edited October 2018

    I can't fathom coping at such young ages, its really unacceptable!! so we have to get cures and multiple drug combos that give years of response!! Fortunately we have seen remarkable progress in the new cancer drugs and combos, like never before, so long long remissions and cures may very well be there for you guys. It's not living in 'denial' if there is genuine reason for hope, of which there is plenty. And I don't think anybody here should consider themselves to be 'terminal' unless some MO has specifically told them they have only months left to live- and there are a couple of women now thought to be cured from MBC who themselves were literally months from death when they joined their game-changer trials . Hard as it is, try to focus on persisting in the here and now, find something that gets you to stable and you can feel safe, then hopefully we all make it to the next big breakthrough!

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  • Tess111
    Tess111 Member Posts: 58
    edited October 2018

    Hi DC 89. I am sorry about your diagnosis. I know it is scary and that you must be so worried about what the future holds. From your treatment plan I am certain you are Her2 positive.

    I want to tell you a story about a woman who was 26 years old when she was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer. Like you, she was Her2 positive. She had a daughter who was only 14 months old.

    If you go to this page https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/cancer-care/living-well-for-19-years-metastatic-breast-cancer you can read her story, and see her picture. Oh, and the beautiful young woman standing there with her is that little 14 month old daughter all grown up. I hope reading what is possible will help you through the tough days.

    Virtual gentle hugs are heading your way.

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  • JFL
    JFL Member Posts: 1,947
    edited October 2018

    DC, welcome here and sorry you have to join us. 29 is so young. The Young Survival Coalition (YSC) is a great resource and they have a lot of resources for Stage 4 young women because so many women diagnosed with BC at a young age are Stage 4, sadly. I have friends I met through YSC 12 years ago that I still meet up with today as a big group.

    I was dx'd at 30 with early stage and 38 with mets in 2014 while pregnant with my post BC “miracle baby". It is all scary and beyond comprehension for the most part but it will get better once you setttle into your treatment plan. The hardest part for me is thinking about my son. Great news your treatment is working!

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