Topic: HELP! 10 year old with bc

Hi, and let me add my heartfelt grief at this diagnosis.  All I would suggest for now is to be SURE it is breast cancer.  It could be Lymphoma.  So I would go to a second opinion location to be positive this is not an error.

Please know we are all praying for your family.

Gentle hugs, Shirlann

My son is a childhood cancer survivor.  You mention going to Children's Hospital of LA.  I'm not familiar with that one, but I know Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) is supposed to be exceptional. Breast cancer does happen (rarely) in children.  So the good news is that it was diagnosed.  Since it is so rare, a lot of times breast cancer is not even considered, resulting in a delay in treatment.  Below are some resources that were helpful for me:

www.curesearch.org - Pediatric Oncology Group website.  Lots of information and overall a very helpful group.  Lots of good information and resources here.  You may want to give them a call.

www.candlelighters.org - A group to support parents of kids with cancer.  There are lots and lots of good resources there.

www.acor.org - look for the ped-onc mailing list.  It is an email list of parents with kids that have or have had cancer.  It was extremely helpful to me.

The hardest words I have ever heard, to this date, is my son's name (he was 4 at the time) and chemotherapy in the same sentence.  I can't tell you how much that hurt.  I went to pieces.   I wish that no other child ever had any type of cancer.  You can do this. It is hard, but you can get through this.  Your child will need you now more than ever.  When my son was diagnosed, it helped me to have a time of the day I would allow the pain to come in and I would cry, scream, etc.  For me, that was how I would start my day.  Then, I'd go take a shower and get on with my day.  Believe it or not, it worked for me,

Let us know how it goes.

I know that none of my words are adequate to express how sorry I am that you are going through this with such a young sweet child.

Please know that you are in my prayers. I will think of you every day and pray for your strength and peace on this journey that no child or parent should endure.

God Bless.

I am a survivor with a 10 year old daughter and wanted you to know that you and your daughter are in my prayers. I am really sorry about her diagnosis, sending you many positive thoughts. Please lean on the wonderful women on this board to help her through whatever treatment plan you make.

I am praying for you and your daughter.

I agree with springtime, we as a society have to push for better, earlier testing made available to everyone.

Fran Drescher was just on CNN online talking about why aren't we discovering cancer in stage 1 when it is in the most curable of the stages. (I am paraphrasing here, so I might not be stating it correctly).

My heart goes out to you and your DD. My DD had breast development at age 8 and started her period at age 10 and we have family history of bc (I have LCIS, my mom had ILC), so I have always worried about her future. The night before my breast biopsy, she came to me to show me a lump above her collarbone the size of a walnut (age 16 at the time). The pediatrician immediately gave her a breast exam when she learned of my situation. (and I feared everything from mono all the way to  lymphoma). Fortunately, it turned out to be only a swollen lymph node, but I know the fear you're feeling. I wonder that since she is so young for bc, if  specialists at St Judes (cancer hospital) would have any expertise or knowledge they could offer--(you could google St Judes for info)--it's always a good idea to get 2nd opinions, even 3rd. Praying for God's peace  for your family throughout this ordeal

Anne

CJSocal - I cannot even find the words to convey my feelings to you and your precious daughter.  I thought my diagnose and hearing the words you have breast cancer was the most devastating thing I could have ever heard.  I was so wrong.  Hearing that your 10 year old daughter has breast cancer is far, far more devastating.  May God bless you all.  You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Linda

This is such a difficult situation to be in!  I do want to offer you a ray of sunshine on the path report, a Ki67 of 3% is good, it is a measurement of how aggressive the tumor is and 3% would indicate lazy slow growing cancer cells.  Just for comparison, my Ki67 was 46%.

Hello, Littlest Socal

Welcome, welcome to our special Sisterhood. We are sorry for the sad parts of this diagnosis, but we sure are glad to know you and to surround you with our caring and experience. You sure are not alone. As you'll notice, we are all doing well, thriving and fussing and cheering each other on. And you will do well too!

We always remind each other to take big deep breaths, just think about one day at a time, and remember that we'll all be here to help in every way we can.

Be well!
Binney

Hey, everybody--the posts have been coming from Mr. cjsocal:  "My wife and I have no idea what type, stage, etc..." and "My wife and I have been told that there will be a lot of doctors involved in this as it is so uncommon."  IMHO, he's a special father, to be posting here on behalf of his daughter (and wife).

cjsocal, please know that we are thinking of your daughter and your family. 

otter

OMG! There are several breast cancer consultants who will review the pathology and give you an second opinion. The first one is in the SF bay area. There is another one in San Diego but I can't find the link. I found the reference in a pamphlet about getting a breast cancer diagnosis from the American Cancer Assiociation.

 http://www.breastcancerconsultdr.com/index.html

Thinking of you all during this extremly stressful time. 

Hugs & Prayers,  Liz

Hello Everyone,

My name is Beth and I am the grandmother of 10 year old in this disscussion. Her name is Hannah; but I have called her Sweet Pea since the day she was born. First, how can I say it, THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH for everything, your thoughts, your prayers, your suggestions, your care. Otter wrote that the writings were coming from Mr. jcsocal and Otter is correct, (although my daughter has been writing also) my son in law is a very special daddy and wants answers; He and my daughter are trying to understand all of it and help Hannah through it all.

We all have been in a cloud since Hannah was diagnosed with BC, never in a million years would we have thought that this could happen at 10. But it did and we are trying to make sense of it all.

They have both done a lot of research and now have some answers and understanding of what is happening.

There have been 7 patholigist's (up to this point) that have reviewed Hannah's test results and every one of them have come to the same diagnosis, IDC; and as far as treatment, in L.A. Childern's Hospital is one of the best, if they think she should go elsewhere they will send her. 

Hannah's Uncle has set up a web-site for her and I asked my daughter and son in law if I could post Hannah's web site here and they said it was O.K. If you want to visit and see what a special girl she really is, please go to her web site. OurLittleSweetPea.com. 

Also I have a question for anyone who may have the answer; Several wonderful organazations would like to do fundraisers for Hannah and they would like to use the Pink Breast Cancer Ribbon in the advertising; but we were told we have to have permission to use the Pink Ribbon and I have searched the internet and cannot find out where to get the permission.  If anyone knows where I can go would you please reply and let me know.

Thank you all for everything

Hannah's Nana and Papa

Good Heavens. Is there no end to the nightmares this monster creates?

Sweetpea's Nana, the best I can find for you is this:

"The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation states that,”The pink ribbon is the official mark of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, and is licensed exclusively to us. This is not the case in other countries. We do enter licensing agreements with other organizations, authorizing them to use the official mark under specified conditions.”

http://www.alive.com/1526a4a2.php?subject_bread_cramb=351

I have seen several other references containing the same data. It is my understanding that in the United States, the pink ribbon breast cancer symbol is a part of the public domain, meaning no one owns it because it is a common symbol. HOWEVER, individual designs for the ribbon and the ensuing graphics CAN be copyrighted and often are. If you design your own, you are quite safe. Here too is a link to free downloadable ones. The designer asks only for a credit, but does not require payment or any other compensation for the use of her designs.

On a personal note, my own daughter has been SweetPea since the day she was born. This one hit home hard for all of us. We will be following Hannah's journey closely at our house. The site you all have created is a wonderful one. May it bring you all the support you will need in the times to come. May Hannah's strength and spirit be enduring and healthful. May all of you find peace and a rapid return to some semblance of normalcy. May all of us live to see the cure.

Bright Blessings,

Web

Dear Beth and family,

I just wanted to send you all my love and to remind you that as Hannah's grandma, mom and dad -- be sure to let your friends and loved ones take care of you as well as Hannah. You need your strength and rest and energy to help your dear sweet pea, so don't hesitate to accept the many offers of assistance and support that must be coming your way from those who care about you.

xox