New, Would Love to Hear from Others in 30’s/40’s & Survivors

Hi Wigging,

See if your hospital has a social worker. They might be able to connect you to financial resources.

Also the most important thing for your daughters isn't your money. It's you. Yes it will be sad and scary but then they will be together with you in it, instead of far from you in it, which is scarier

Hi Wigging,

Most retirement accounts are shielded from collections for debt and even from bankruptcy. It's a common mistake and very sad. Here's one source about it but there are lots of others. People shouldn't feel bad about saving their retirement accounts instead of spending them for medical debt/reasons, that's why they are exempt - to help people maintain their independence later on. So if you do need to declare a medical bankruptcy (and it's the most common cause of bankruptcy in the USA) you can at least still keep your retirement savings. Speak to the hospital social worker and any other resources you can, but I would use credit before withdrawing retirement savings.

I am 46, do not have any of the breast cancer genes. I eat pretty healthy, nonsmoker, and am normal weight for my height/not overweight.

I noticed that my right breast looked strange. At first I thought it was just my age, but then I felt my breast and noticed a bunch of little bebees which I had not felt before.

Was diagnosed mid September 2018, still waiting to get my surgery date. They are saying it is 7cm cribiform, and I am pretty anxious to get this thing out of me. The whole right breast has to go, including nipple.

I am 47 and diagnosed in September, I've already had lumpectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy. Lymph nodes were negative. Mine is stage 1A grade 2 and ER+/PR+ HER2- My DX test came back at 17. I am scheduled for genetic testing middle of December.

I am also pretty health, no history of breast cancer in my family, eat healthy, yearly check ups. I start radiation the first week of December. It has definitely been a roller coaster of emotions. My husband, friends and family have all been great and very supportive. Now that I have more results back I feel a little more at ease but still have moments of anxiety.

I do plan on working while going through radiation, my work will try to accommodate as best as they can, I have filed FMLA intermittent just in case it's needed.

I wish you all well on the unwanted journey. As always, stay strong and try and stay as positive as possible.

Hi Pebbles...<waves> I'm just popping in, even though we've "met" each other on plenty of other threads. LOL. Hope Domino is bringing you lots of smiles this week and you are set to enjoy your holiday "break" from RADs.

For everyone else, a bit about me. Am 41, was dxd this past summer. Wrangled with the decision between DMX and Lumpectomy in August. Settled on Lump when was negative for genetic BRCA/etc. Healed and then faced the Chemo decision. Onco was 17, asked for Mammoprint to confirm before I could have peace with no Chemo, Mammo confirmed low, as well as 10% KI-67. Just finished RADs on Halloween, it wasn't pleasant and am undergoing heavy duty Cancer Rehab/Physical Therapy to deal with Radiation Fibrosis, as well as ongoing Breast Lymphedema. Also am in the process of trying to decide if Tamoxifen is something I can add into my "spoonie" life. Le Sigh. So many decisions, and I'm just tired of making them. I know you all can relate. Such is the life we lead, right? Onward we go.

Wigging --> I just want to second what others have suggested, pls do ask your Oncologist about a Social Worker to see. They should have connections to provide you with to help offset some of the costs and so forth. I was set up with one at my first visit. She helped connect me with Pink Ribbon Riders, Hope Chest, Road To Recovery, and my cancer centers' financial assistance dept, all of which helped me receive grants for gas cards, grocery cards, and help pay various bills during my active cancer treatment stages. I don't know how I would have survived financially without their generosity, as I was already living month-to-month on Disability prior to my IDC dx this summer. Here is the link to the American Cancer Society page to find local resources in your area. I hope this helps.

Sending hugs and healing to all.....

Hi! I am 43 and was diagnosed September of last year with stage 1 IDC. I'm one year cancer free. I can't comment on the radiation or chemo but taking Tamoxifen isn't as bad as I thought. Wishing everyone all the best.

Love83 --> Welcome and wishing you the best with Chemo.

I totally get wanting to learn. I've been doing ALOT lately. Here is my thread about my concerns regarding Tamoxifen for my situation. Any Early 40's Declining Tamoxifen? I think everyone has different reasoning in general, but for me, it's because of risk factors, side effects, and preserving my quality of life (QOL) since I already deal with about 10 other chronic illnesses/diagnosis besides the newest three to the mix; IDC, radiation fibrosis, and breast lymphadema.

Another good thread, IMO, to read about the SEs and risk factors and efficacy in preventing recurrence/etc is Tamoxifen absolute vs relative benefit--is it worth it? .

Thanks Pebbles for the link to the other thread "Has Anyone Felt Better on Tamoxifen?".

I've added to to my topics so I can follow it!

Hi everyone, I'd like to join this thread too. Thanks Pebbles for getting it started because it seems there are a lot of us in this age bracket.

Im 38, married mom of 4, diagnosed with grade 2 ER+(98%) PR+(95%) HER2-, IDC in October. It will be 2 weeks tomorrow that I had BMX along with reconstruction. Pathology results were 3.2cm tumor, putting me at stage 2a.

I'm recovering well enough & hope to return to work next week. I see BS, PS, & oncologist all this week so I'll know for sure. As far as treatment, 10yrs of hormonal therapy has been recommended. No word on chemo, which honestly scares me because of the potential effects on livelihood.

There's so much to take in.

Happy birthday, Jinx!

Hi, Oya. Sorry we're meeting under these circumstances. Do you know if any of your nodes were affected?

Love83, Best wishes with chemo. We're here for you.

I'm 42 yrs old and was diagnosed with IDC, E+|P+|HER2-

I wasdiagnosed by screening mammogram on Oct 31,2018. My solid mass was 7mm on ultrasound. I was diagnosed with ultrasound guided core biopsy.

I've had a bone scan followed by a MRI of my left femur for an abnormality that they still aren't sure about, a breast MRI, chest X-ray, genetic testing (which was all negative), and I saw a reconstructive surgeon.

I'm meeting with my breast surgeon tomorrow morning to make my final decision. I was offered a lumpectomy followed by 6 weeks of radiation or mastectomy without radiation (and I assume I'll have to take Tamoxifen). These are my pre-surgery options. I guess the follow up may change after surgery.

I think I'm going to have a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction on Dec 7th.

I have a lot of scar tissue from a breast reduction I had when I was 18. There's quite a bit of breast cancer on my biological fathers side as well.

I'm a nurse and an Ob/Gyn Doctor friend of mine told me that skin is NEVER the same after radiation and if I get a second diagnosis it could make reconstruction difficult. Then there are risks of radiation to your skin, bones and lungs...

I think what really made me lean towards mastectomy was after talking to the reconstructive surgeon about genetics. I said I wouldn't have a mastectomy if they were negative. He pointed out that even though it's a good way to look at it that there are still many genes no one knows about yet. He asked if I was willing to risk that. And I don't want to.