Ladies in their 30s
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Evening everyone,
New to the group and the board. I just had my double mastectomy on Thursday, as I was recently diagnosed with ILC. Pathology reports came back yesterday, no nodes, grade 1 / stage 1. I had 4 tumors, the largest at 1.5cm. I am 39 years old.
I am married to a great man, and have two wonderful children, ages 10 and 7. So, far the journey has not been that bad. I am waiting to hear what my follow up treatment will be (I am er+/pr+ and HER neg.) Has anyone here only done tamixofen? My BS keeps telling me that due to my young age I most likely will/should get chemo even though my scores are good and there are no nodes. I am prepared for this, but just curious if this is the rule of thumb with ocnologists and women who are younger.
Looking forward to "meeting" you all and giving and receiving support.
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Hi. Sorry to meet this way but welcome to the board. I have IDC but had my BMX on May 26th. I had one micromet in a node, grade 2, stage 2, I had 2 tumors, I am 30. I am also er/pr+ and her2 -. One way that we decided was based on the oncotype score. If it was low, we would do no chemo. But if it comes back in the middle or high, we would do it. It came back at a 27 so I had my first chemo today. It helped to make the choice. I didnt want to look back and say...I should have had the chemo. Each persons case is different. My onc decided that I did not need the A drug because the risk outweighs the benefits but I am doing T/C for 4 cycles every 21 days. After that I will do the tamixofen. I hope this may help some. Have you had an oncotype done? Hope this helps a bit. Keep us updated! Best of luck to you!
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Hi CorinneM1 - Welcome and I am sorry that you are joining us on this journey:-( jsut know that you are surrounded by wonderful women on this borad who are very helpful and supportive; we will try our best to educate and help eachother make this journey of ours as smooth as possible:-) I am almost 38 yrs (bday mon july 3rd:-) have 2 small kids (4.5 & 3) and a wonderful husband. I was diagnosed in 4/27 with IDC, my tumour was on my left breast measuring 2.1cm. I had all sorts of tests prior to my surgery (Oncotype, genetic test, etc etc) and they all came back negative (Oncotype score 17; BRCA1 & 2 negative) initailly my med Onco was of the opinion that I may not need chemo. I decided to have a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy, 1 node came back with a micromet. Becasue of this and my age:-) my med onco with my BS advised that i have chemo then rads then tamoxifen. I am starting chemo next week 7/7 and I will be ahving 6 rounds of TC every 21 days. My MO said that she may stop after the 4th round but we will see how it goes. I am also ER/PR positive and HER2 negative.
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Corinne, I too am sorry this is how we meet but welcome and it's nice to meet you!!!
Snoopy, you darn near described MY exact diagnosis, suggested treatment plan, etc to a tee.... I was also dx on 4/27, the only difference is my tumor was 1cm.0 -
Thanks all. Interesting to read that some of you had Oncotype done before your surgery. I was under the impression that they had to do Oncotype after surgery using surgery tissue. This isn't true? If you had it done before surgery, did they use the biopsy tissue?
I requested an Oncotype and am meeting with the Oncologist tomorrow. She stated that she would order it, but put in the disclaimer that Oncotype tests weren't accurate for younger/premenopausal women, so they don't trust the results. This was also the first time I had heard this.
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I had my surgery first and they sent in the tissue. My onc said she uses this as a guide line at times. Everything for me landed right in the middle. So everyone was on the fence with which way to go. So we waited to see what the oncotype said. It helped me out. I am also younger and premenopausal and she did not mention that to me. We just used it to let us know which way to go after surger. Mine came back a 27 on one tumor and a 26 on the other. She told me that this meant I was at an 18% chance of reoccurance. I want to do everything possible to knock my numbers down to like nothing, lol. So we went ahead with chemo. We just decided to do the T/C for 4 treatments. She said she also likes to use the oncotype to help her decide what strenght of chemo to do. If it comes back really high...they give you all they got. If it somes back in the middle they do the T/C mostly and if its low no chemo. Hope this helps!
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Hi, new here and newly diagnosed. I don't know much yet, just know that my biopsy results came back positive. Met with the doctor who gave me the news yesterday, all I really remember hearing is "poorly differentiated" and "aggressive." I'm 35 and just had my second baby 8 weeks ago. My oldest is almost 3. I noticed the lump the day I delivered, while breasfeeding. My OB passed it off as a lactation thing, but it made me nervous so I had an ultrasound and then biopsy. I am devastated, just can't believe this is happening. I meet with a breast surgeon next week. I'm so nervous and scared, especially since I feel another lump in my arm pit.
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Corinne - They used the tissue from my biopsy to do the oncotype for me; when they did the biopsy they took enough tissue, and as i said the results came back as a 17. The main reason my MO suggested chemo for me was based on the 1 slightly positive node (microcalsification) and my age:-) She told me that she does not want to "over treat" me so she will give me 4 rounds first and see how my body responds and then will decide to continue with 6 or stop at 4. Whatever it may be I am OKAY with it.
vshowe - Aaawww I am so sorry you have to join, I can just imagine what you are going through, just had a baby and diagnosed with BC it really is a big blow!! I also have 2 small kids abit older than yours though. The women here are very supportive, we will try our best to help eachother pass through this dark tunnel. Check out the other threds on this website, very helpful.
All the Best and a Big ((HUG)) to you
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Hi Everyone-
Thanks for sharing all of your stories. I was diagnosed about a month ago. The plan is to have chemo first, then surgery. I have tested positive in my lymph node as well, that's how I found out about all of this. So much for everyone saying if a node hurts, it's not cancer. Unfortunately, concurrently with the BC, I learned I was pregnant. Went for a week not knowing what would happen, then they thought it was ectopic, three weeks later found out it was a partial molar pregnancy. Now I can't do chemo until HCG levels are negative, which could be a month or more. I am SO frustrated!! So far, there were no mets, but can't help thinking all of this waiting around is not helping my situation. I just want to start chemo!!!! I hope to soon be like many of you, reporting that chemo is done and ready to resume normal life. Thanks for reading!
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Hi vshowe & bring..chemo, so sorry you both are on this crazy journey too but so glad you found this forum. Welcome. I hope it brings you the same comfort I've had knowing I'm not the only one on this roller coaster ride, although it really makes me angry when more and more of us are joining everyday.
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Hi. Im sorry we had to meet this way but welcome. I have found this site to be awesome for me. My family is really supportive but here, everyone, understands. There is alot of info on here too.
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Hello everyone! New to the group, sadly. I was diagnosed last year at age 36. Not married and no children. Isn't that a kicker? Nothing like trying to date while going through this...lol. I did go through fertility treatments so I have two embryos waiting for me.
I'm currently going through radiation and should be done by mid-July. I look forward to posting with everyone. *hugs*
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Welcome all the new ladies! CorinneMI: I too am 39 with 2 kids (ages 7 & 9) and a great hubby! Vshowe: Way to be proactive with your lump! I also had a lump they wanted to blow off due to my age and I insisted even after Mammo and US were so called "normal" to have it removed and biopsied and low and behold.....CANCER! We have to be our own advocates! Hats off to you though, I'm sure it's very overwhelmiing with a newborn also! We tend to put our issue aside when we have very little ones, but thankfully you didn't! Bring....chemo and IllinoisNative: welcome and take advantage of all the great info and support you will receive on this website. I feel my friends and family are great support, but no one really understands like those who have been or are dealing with this dreaded disease! Snoopy73: Happy early bday! My bday is July 4th, I will be 40, does that mean I have to go to the 40 and over thread???
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mommyrnx2 Nooo please dont go to the 40 and over thread:-) stay here:-) Thank you for the bday wishes, Happy early Bday to you too!! I will be turning 38 and my son will be turning 3 tomorrow:-) so planning to have a great weekend with family as I will be starting chemo on thursday 7/7 uurgghh..
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Snoopy, Happy birthday to you and your son. What a suprise to have your baby boy on your 35 birthday.
Sorry you havt to be going threw this but it is good you have family.
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38 years old - THANK YOU:-) I will actually be turning 38yrs like you:-) It feels so good to have family and friends around and willing to do anything to help, I truly feel Blessed and I Thank God for that.
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Happy birthday Snoopy and to your son!!!! Enjoy your day!
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Thank you:-)
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bringonthechemo,
If you can find an integrative doctor, you can start injections of mistletoe. It's standard complementary therapy in Europe, particularly Germany. I am going to do it now that I am done with chemo. It won't interact with chemo (in fact, one of the reasons they use it in Europe is to reduce side effects). It also boosts your immune system and killer T-cells, etc. Not covered by insurance and not cheap, unfortunately. ($200/month - yikes!) But if you are looking to do something while you wait, it is an effective systemic therapy that you can do now.
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I received fantastic news a couple of days ago. My onc talked to a couple of others and decided that I could move forward with chemo after all. What a relief that phone call was! I forgot to add in my rant above that I am a 38 y.o. mother of three (10, 7 and 16 mos.) and have a super supportive husband that is my biggest advocate. Thanks sweetbean for the recommendation. I have been drinking mangosteen juice which supposedly is a mega anti-inflammatory, it has certainly helped my pain from the enlarged lymph node. I start chemo next week. I am doing a trial so I am starting out with paclitaxol and herceptin. My onc is very hopeful and pushed hard for me to be in this trial, which was a challenge given the other things going on with my body. I am a little nervous about starting and the logistics of covering for my kids and making sure I have a ride to and from the cancer center. It is a crazy week to start but we'll figure it out! Just relieved to be getting started!
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Port goes in this Thursday, first AC on 7/14. I am terrified but also just want to get this show on the road and get it over with. Wish me luck....
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Good luck to those starting chemo!
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Good Luck to those starting any new treatments (surgery, chemo, rads or hormonals) after the holiday. The unknown is scary, but I've found that taking things one day, one treatment, at a time makes this process easier to handle. I'm on the rads countdown myself . . . 8 more tx to go and I'll be free of doctors and waiting rooms for 6 months. Bring on NED
Tammy
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Blondelawyer- Your blog is well, just amazing. Very inspired.
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Tsundermann,
We are twins! I am almost done with rads and I am 37, too. I have to do Herceptin for a year, though. But still...we are so similar!
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misswim: thanks...a lot of it is pretty emotional, but a good outlet for me.
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I can relate as my dearest friend had CF. I wish you nothing but the best. Keep writing.
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Happy belated Birthday to everyone who just celebrated one. Getting ready to celebrate my daughters 6th birthday on Thursday.Moments like these give you the strength and hope. I look back a year ago and I was in the middle of my chemo treatments.Too sick to celebrate her 5th birthday. I felt so bad and angry that cancer has taken this away from me and my family. But now, I will not miss another birthday. Nothing will ever take that away from me again. So all the ladies starting treatment, hold onto that strength and hope and kick chemo's butt!!! hugs
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Need help. My mastectomy is on July 14. My PS told me that since I am planning to have a child after the treatment, the DIEP and TRAM flap are not good options for me. So the only choice is the implant. On the other hand, I am really terrified by the complains about the implant. Many people need to take them out after a couple of years. Has anyone done DIEP and then get pregnant afterwards. Please give me any suggestion and personal feeling about the implant. Thanks. Now I am so upset thinking of the implant.
Maybe I need do IVF to get a child after my treatment, but there is much chance the insurance company wont pay for it. Anyone fights the insurance company for IVF and win?
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spinsight, plastic surgeons do not reccoment pregnancy after the flaps because they actually move your stomach muscles and such while doing the surgery. He is recommending the implants so your stomach mucles would still be intact to accomadate a growing belly. I have TE in place now and so far I have had no issues other than tightness and will hopefully be getting my implants before the end of the year. My surgeon told me that I may have to have my implants exchanged 10-15 years down the road but he has also seen people whos implants have been perfectly fine for 25 years.
Do you have fertility issues or are going through chemo as to need the ivf?
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