Ladies in their 30s
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I also had the 3 day Emend packet. I worked the best for me. I also tried Zofron and the Sancuso patch in addition to the Decadron via IV. I know everyone's reaction is different but they have various anti-nausea meds so ask for something else if you feel it's not working.
borntosurvive - my diet was the same as yours...very bland and mashed potatoes were pretty much the main course. Blah!
radioactivegirl - Finding foods that work for you during treatment is the key! I hated to look at food for the first few days after chemo but was able to get a few things down. Hydration is also key and when I didn't feel like drinking water I used children's pedialite diluted with water....it's not too bad tasting. Lemon drops helped take the metallic taste out of my mouth. Hang in there, you're doing great and will get through this!!
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Hi, ladies.
Quick question:
I've noticed that lots of you have had BMX, even tho your cancers were stage 0 or stage 1, with no lymph node involvement. I'm curious if the BMX was a choice you all made bc you're so young or if it was recommended by your doc. I only had lumpectomy, so I'm scared a bit & worried I made the wrong choice!! What if it comes back????0 -
I chose to have a BMX. I did not get my final pathology report and know my stage until after my BMX. I just knew that I had a cancerous lump in my left breast. I didn't know about lymph nodes or anything until after my BMX. I just knew that I owed it to myself to do everything I could and also that I would worry every day with any little bump or twing. So I opted for the BMX. And I don't regret my decision at all. I also know from my BMX that there was no cancer at all in my other breast and also that my left breast was filled with DCIS - that I would have not known without the MX. So I'm happy I followed my gut.
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Hello!
I m 36, diagnosed last July. So glad there s such a group to talk.
Think pink
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So glad you found us 11711. How are you doing now?
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Well, mine started with pains in my right breast which prompted me to do a self exam and that's when I found the lump in my left breast. They said I could have done a lumpectomy but recommended a BMX to help prevent recurrence. Plus they didn't know what was causing the pain in my right side. I am very happy with my decision for a BMX. The right side was clear (I believe the pains were a sign from God) but my left side was multi-focal.
Similarly, it seems that everyone I have seen on this board in their 30s did chemo. I went to 3 oncologists who said that chemo wasn't for me because my numbers were so low (ki-67 1%, oncotype 5 etc.). It does make me second guess my decision a bit but was told that most women in their 30s get a more aggressive type of cancer. Anyone else in their 30s that didn't have chemo??
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txmom - I was told I needed chemo because of the size of my tumor. It was 3cm and I think for most doctors if it is larger than 2cm they do chemo. Or if it is triple negative they do chemo. Trust me, you dont want chemo if you dont have to have it - it sucks big time!!!
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Txmom, I am in my 30s, my surgeon sent me to oncologist I had chemo first to shrink tumor. The surgeon said that due to my age I would get aggressive treatment, he said they would throw the whole kitchen sink at me lol
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Txmomof2, our cancer looks quite similar! Im 39 andquad diagnosed at the end of March. I should find out my onco score tomorrow and I'll write back to share more. I meet with the tumor board at the university of Michigan a week from today to hear about their recommendations. I too am on the fence about chemo... I want it, but I don't want it. Etc.
Borntosurvive, and all you other lovely ladies, it's been a while since I've written. I'm two weeks out from my BMX with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction. I had the procedure done by the amazing docs at the center for breast restoration surgery in new orleans. I'm really happy with the results and am happy to share more if anyone is contemplating this procedure or the docs in NOLA, in particular.
Hope everyone is having a great day!0 -
Glad you are doing well Esmeralda. It's good to see you back. Keep us posted on the chemo decision. I hope you're healing well. Get lots of rest and take care of yourself. xo
I was told that I would have chemo even before my pathology came back. I was told that given my age they'd do chemo as they'd want to try to limit my risk of recurrence. Then when my path came back I was triple negative and my lump was close to 3cms. So chemo it was. I had dose dense ACT. I also had the BMX.Chemo was SO hard on me but I'm glad I did it. Given that I am TN, it's my only option. So although it was rough I will never second guess myself that I should have done more etc. I don't need radiation and sometimes I wonder about that but my radiologist is the best around so I trust him.
I hope you are all having a good evening and a have a great week. It's going to be a HOT one here in Ontario.
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Hi borntosurvive,
I ' m alright now, back to 'normal' as much as I can. I have finished my radio therapies in march 2nd, after also 8 rounds of chemo. So now I only have to do the 3 months checks. My only problem now is hot flashes and greece is particularly hot in the summer air condition works in full !,,,
Txmomof2, what doctors do is actually following a protocol. Depending on the type and size they choose to do chemo or not. They told me they will do much more than they were supposed to, just to be safe. For example I did 8 chemo when I could do 4 or 6. I did 35 radio when in the beginning the had said 25. And because I got sick when I was 35 and now I am 36, I have do be in tamoxifen for 5 years and not 2 as they had said in the beginning.
What is this bmx you almost all had?0 -
bmx is bilateral mastectomy.
11711: I have TERRIBLE hot flashes and we're currently going through a heat wave so I also have the a/c at FULL and I'm in the basement. Sad but true! Glad you are doing well and you're back to 'normal'. The new normal I'm sure.
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I may be able to help with that...
When I had the hysterectomy for my 30th it put me into temporary menopause for a few months as the ovaries were in shock. *banging head on desk* I learned this later from one of the older ladies I know.
Anyway... As strange as this might sound. Dollar store. Large blue ice packs. Buy about 6 of them... Get some cheap, soft dish towels while you are there. 6$ and you will be a happy woman! I PROMISE!
Ice packs in the freezer as soon as you are home. All of them! Then... Depending on the size of your feet take 1 or 2 out at a time. Wash, rotate back in when not cold enough (this is why you get 6).
Take the ice pack/s and wrap it/them in one of those soft new dish towels but not too thickly. Put it on the floor... End of couch, whatever you can rest your feet on or against. Forgive me for putting it this way but... Chill until you're set. *grin*
It cools your entire body because so much circulation goes through your feet... Think about it. If your feet are hot. So are you. If your feet are cold... So are you.
A bowl with water and ice cubes works too but this is much less messy.
To this day I am a raging, evil monster if my feet are too hot... The ovaries work now but not as well as they use to apparently. I still get hot flashes and I do this often.
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Thank you. I am going to try that forsure. Anything to help at this point. There are times I feel nausious with my hot flashes.
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Oh heck I know that feeling! It is awful!
Big, very gentle hugs from me... I'll be honest. Until I found out about the feet thing I was putting my ice packs EVERYWHERE.
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Must....buy.....ice packs.....dying.....of......heat......ugh!!! Thanks for the tip! I will definitely be trying this ASAP! I find myself congregating with the 50 & over crowd in the mornings at work. We discuss our thinning hair, hot flashes and belly pouch
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Just curious.....those of you that have had BMX, what kind of follow-up is your MD recommending? Ultrasounds, MRI's, nothing but self "breast" exams and yearly by doctor??
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Hello ladies! I am 36 married mom to 3 kids...aged 6, 9, and 12. I was just diagnosed on 5/31 and chose lumpectomy on 6/18 after A LOT of debating back and forth if that was the right decision. I find out Monday if I have clear margins!
I have no family history of cancer of any kind and never thought this could happen to me. I did all the "right" things but it still happened...I thank God daily for wonderful doctors that listened to me!
I hope to learn lots from all of you!0 -
Welcome Palemtoomom3. Sorry you have to be here but you will find amazing support on this site. Fingers crossed for clear margins. Will you need chemo? The surgery decision is always a hard one and I know it took me LOTS of debating and research to come to what I wanted to. I see you're from SC. We go to SC (Isle of Palms) for the last 2 weeks of April every year. I actually planned my chemo schedule around my trip this year. I was 11 days post chemo when I flew to SC this year. We LOVE it there. Good luck on Monday and keep us posted.
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Hi,
I'm new to this board. I was diagnosed in Feb while 35 weeks pregnant. Had my son a little early, 37.5 weeks, breastfed for 2.5 weeks, then started chemo 4 times, every 3 weeks- taxotere and cytoxan. Had MRI and PET scan which showed NO CANCER. But then had the BMX with tissue expander placement on June 15th and found out only 40% of the tumor had died and I had micro mets in one of my lymph nodes. Wow.
So now I'm recovering enough so I can have 4 rounds of Adriamycin, which I'm terrified about. The heart side effects really scare me. Then I am told I will have 6 weeks of radiation. My breast surgeon said my plastic surgeon is NOT HAPPY about this. I said to her, well he just has to figure out a way to fix me if I get CC.
So I'm post surgery and in a lot of pain. Percocet helps but the itching is driving me nuts. Just wanted to say hello and get some support.
My husband is handling this worse than me and I honestly find it all really frustrating. It's tough when you have to be stronger than the person who is supposed to offer you strength. But I have 2 children who need me.
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Cjanet: First off....you are an amazing mom to have carried your baby and to have nursed. Congratulations. This disease is always SO unpredictable and I struggle with that myself every day. Every ache and pain. But know that we're all being monitored so much more closely now and things will be caught earlier. My chemo dose dense A-C/T. I had 8 rounds every 2 weeks. I was 33 when I was diagnosed and I also have 2 little kids. You're right, the kids are the best motivation but also the scariest reminder (for me any way) of what this is all about. My husband just doesn't talk about it, although he did say that he feels his job has always been to protect me from things and he can't protect me from cancer. I finished chemo on April 5th and was horribly sick throughout my first 4 rounds. He really stepped up to the plate with the boys and it helped me so much. Now I just live my life to the fullest every day. I wish there was something that I could say or do to help you out. I can relate to feeling like you have to be strong and tough all the time. I tried to do this but quickly realized that I can't always be that person. So I feel what I need to feel in the moment and try not to dwell on it. People will think and know you're an inspiration and a warrior even when you have those days that you fall apart. It's all part of trying to process this crap. Hang in there and let people help, cry when you need to, celebrate every day and snuggle those beautiful babies of yours. You're a mom, a wife and a warrior!!!!0
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Thanks born...what's your first name? Can anyone guide me to the thread where there is a lot of conversation? I am new to this and feel I need quite a bit of support. I am feeling good this morning, woke up in pain as usual but took my percocet.
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cjanet, I know how you are feeling. Though I do not have any children I also had a husband who took it really hard... much harder than me. Let's just say we broke a lot of stuff in the house.
All he wanted to do was help me but he could not. He could not take away the pain, sadness or the stress so he freaked out. We had to do some therapy because he actually blamed me for the bad times in his life. Douche bag. But ultimately we are now closer than ever before and we are moving on with our lives. I am 2 years out from DX but I still find myself crying when I see children and thinking why me, but then I get stronger. You will make it and thrive. You are strong and your body will fight for you. Keep posting on this thread. There might not be a lot of action now but there will be soon. We are your fellow sisters no matter where we are in treatment. If you need to chat you can always PM me. I think I have had everything bad that can happen during treatment but I made it through so I'm here if you need to vent. Take Care. Julie C
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Cjanet,
Just wanted to say hi...I was diagnosed end of march. I am a sahm I have or daughter age 11. So I can kinda relate. It has been hard. I miss being able to do all the things I used to do...room mom, girl scout leader,etc. my hubby has been great but I know it is hard on him. It is hard being a mom with cancer for sure.
Michelle0 -
Good afternoon ladies and Happy Monday! I am touched by your stories of courage and strength and saddened by the way our age group is growing in this club, daily. Since being diagnosed I have been on many sites and spoken to many people who have been touched by this disease. I hear of new diagnosis at least a few times a week from people I know. During my fight I have tried to take a proactive approach and use my experiences as a learning tool, an inspiration, and a guide for those affected by Cancer. Whether patients or loved ones of someone in this battle, I hope my words and experience help them in whatever they are in need of at that moment. I also learn so much from all of you. My Sisters in this fight. My fellow Warrior Goddesses!! Thank you for sharing and for reaching out and helping each other. My faith in the goodness of our society ,in the human race, has definitely been restored these past 8mos.
A little on my fight so far. I was diagnosied exactly 3wks before my 39th birthday. I had a large lump in my right breast that I thought was a fibrous cyst. It showed up almost over night and it would enlarge and shrink around ovulation time. I delayed getting it check for a couple of months. No history of breast cancer in my family but we all have cysts in breast and me ovarian as well.
I am a nurse and have been for almost 14yrs. I am a single Mom of and 18yr old Daughter and was working 2 nursing jobs. Worked for 2 agencies doing private duty for pediatric patients that needed in home skilled nursing around the clock. Worked the Night shifts over night for about 4yrs. My daughter was 17 at the time and she was just finishing her second round of hospitalizations and day therapy, in 3 mos, for major depression and other things. She had been home about a week when I found out.
So, as we are trying to get her back on track and figure out the school year and her out patient therapy, family counseling, keeping her SAFE from herself, we are totally blindsided. Thank GOD I raised a strong young woman!! And that she really wanted help with her mental issues. She has been so AMAZING!!
Like I said above I am a single Mom, not married BUT I was in a rlationship with the man I "Thought" was The One. He encouraged me to get the lump looked at. Ensured me we would deal with it no matter what the outcome. We all were convinced it was benign up until the biopsy report came back. Even the DRs thought so. When I got the call my BF was here with me within hours and stayed by my side for 5 days. Assuring me, family, friends, my daughter, that WE would get through this. That he was in it for the long haul. I even had a convo with him asking if he as sure. That it was a lot to take on and NOT going to be an easy road. He said he had this. He was my rock and all I needed to do was get better.
Decided chemo first to shrink tumors. Oh and by time that first biopsy came back I had 2 very large lymph nodes same side axilla as tumor. 1 the size of a grape, the other of a peanut and growing fast. On scans multiple enlarged and irregular lymoh nodes were visualized. Biopsy of those came back metastatic carcinoma, primary breast cancer. So, after a bunch of tests and scans started chemo TCH 16 days after diagnosis. He came to chemo #1 with me and seemed to be on board. Started to get REALLY sick with mouth sores, nasal and oral bleeding, thrush on my tongue and throat 2 days before my 39th bday (day 3 after treatment) Saw my BF the evening of my birthday. He wouldn't touch me. Next day was Thanksgiving. He went to his family's home. 2 days later on a Saturday evening, he decided he needed to think and some space. I said I understood and he could have it. Next day I was in the hospital with Neutropenic Fever, Sepsis, and an infection in my intestines. They listed me as critical condition. He didn't even ask my friend who contacted him, what hospital I was in. And he totally cut off all communication with me for 2mos.
I was devastated. As if fighting for my life wasn't hard enough, now add a broken heart. Well, I got over it. Actually forgave him, we became friends again. BUT not back together. I decided about 2mos ago that being friends wasn't working for me and for my growth so I told him I needed to stop all contact. It just wasn't healthy for me and I have grown and changed, he HASN'T. There was no benefit to the friendship or to holding on to old memories. Once I deleted all info out of my phone, I haven't had another thought of longing or what if or maybe. LIBERATING!I wrote a blog about dealing with being single after your diagnosis. If anyone would care to read it, I can post it here.
Still single, I do date and I date men who know my diagnosis, understand the good and the bad of my treatments and can deal with it. There are a LOT of great men out there who won't run or be turned off by it. I understand everyone deals with this diagnosis in their own way. And my Ex thought he could but he couldn't. That is fine. He is entitled and I wish him the best.
Current Day: Daughter enrolled in an online academy, made up lost credits and actually graduated 2mos before her "Original" High School Class. She was able to go to Senior Prom at her old High School with one of her guy friends and attended their graduation but didn't walk. She was ok with that. Her depression is up and down but not nearly as bad as it was. She has ALMOST stopped "cutting" she has had a couple of incidences recently. She is working on that in therapy. She started her first job a few weeks ago and is looking forward to starting her prereqs at the local community college in the fall.
As for me. I had Rads #31 today. 5 more to go. Still have Herceptin through November every 3wks. Have some scans coming up next Monday due to nodules found on both lungs. Praying they are resolved.
Sorry for the book, lol. I am a writer though. If anyone is interested in reading any of my blogs let me know. I receive emails daily from people who have read one or two or all so far. They say they help them to understand what their loved ones went through, or help them by letting them know that their feelings and actions throughout have been normal for someone going through this. Even DRs who never really thought about what their Patient is thinking or going through in the first few moments and weeks after diagnosis. And that they will be more considerate and understanding, slow down a bit and let the info be absorbed, from now on. I was also lucky enough to have a friend who is executive producer of a radio show Voice America, Outreach Today who found my blogs inspiring and came up with a show idea based on it. Myself and 2 Drs were guest speakers on that show. If interested in hearing I can email the link.
I just get so much joy out of helping others and having a positive impact. And I enjoy learning about everyone I come in conact with and growing from it. EVERY person you encounter in life can be learned from. No matter the amount of time or context of the meeting. I choose to learn and grow daily. Ever changing, I will never be done, I will just continue striving to be the BEST ME! Life is a blessing!
My Motto is in my signature. Healing hugs ladies and Big Smiles!
Denielle
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Thank you for sharing your story Denielle. Your daughter is amazing because you are amazing. I'm glad she is starting to heal as are you. I also have heard of 3 people who I know who have been diagnosed with BC since I have been. It's kinda like when you buy a new car you never see it on the road until you buy it. I feel like I'm in this whole world that I never wanted to be in but now that I am, more and more women are joining me.
My baby turns 2 tomorrow. So my oldest son (3.5 years) and I "snuck" out of the house to buy balloons and he picked out all kinds of things to decorate the house and the balloons. I told him he could pick out something for his brother and he picked out a foam sword. I love watching his excitement for his brother's birthday. SO cute. It's moments like this that keeps me going.
Have a great week girls xo
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Hi Everyone - I was diagnosed on May 17th with DCIS, had Umx on June 11th and will be having TE placed on July 12th. I'm 37, married for 12 years (oh yeah, my anniversay was June 10 - day before mastectomy.) Have 2 wonderful kids, 11 yr old son and 4 year old daughter (she turns 5 July 5th.)
My mom was dx'd with BC when she was 41, went through mastectomy and chemo, only to have it spread to her liver - she passed when she was 44. I was 15, my brother 12. My poor brother just about had a stroke when I had to tell him I had breast cancer.
I am doing ok. Good days and bad. I want to get on with reconstruction and try to put some of this behind me, though I know it will always be in my mind. My husband has been ok, has made some rather stupid comments about how I'll be out running around with new, fake boobs. What a boob he is. My son has become slightly clingy, but that's ok, he sort of understands what's happening. He's quite interested in this "boob transplant" I'm having lol. My daughter broke out sobbing when I told her I had to go to the hospital. I told her it was ok, I would be fine. She said "No it won't! You're going to bring home a new baby and forget about me!" Once I assured her there were no new babies coming, she was fine. Not really bothered a bit about me! Hmmmm.
Good luck to all of you. It sucks we're all here, but at least we're not alone.
Ami
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Welcome Ami. Your daughter cracks me up. Another baby!!! She sounds super cute. I am also part of the Triple Negative thread on here. It's called TNS. Lots of great info on there. I just see that you are ER and PR negative. Keep us posted on the reconstruction.
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Thank you for your story Denielle, I can tell you are a writer. Though I am not single, I can relate to the idea of wanting to leave someone because THEY are not changing. I have changed so much because of this because I feel I HAVE to, while my husband stays stuck in his own negative thinking. The positive is he may make an appt with my psychiatrist and consider meds, I think they would help his outlook. Did you post links to your blog? I have to go back and look, I still have chemo brain.
Welcome Ami, my daughter is 4 years old and always has interesting comments. She appears to understand that I am sick but i haven't used the cancer word because I just don't think she would understand. I am honest and straightforward with her.
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Thank you cjanet. I really hope your husband can get some help to deal with this all. I know for men, especially ones who were raised to be the MAN and protect their family it can be hard because he can't save you from this, or take it away. It is out of his control. And fears of losing you and being hurt by seeing you suffer can come off in a negative way towards you. Usually in an angry manner or even the silent treatment. Know that it isn't you! It really isn't HIM either. He just needs to learn coping skills for this and he once he has help to start looking at the feelings and issues and realizing he can't make THIS better but he can help make YOU feel better and in turn him because he will have a purpose, a way to help you. Big hugs!! I will be praying for you.
I have my blogs on WattPad but it isn't updated. Here is the link to a Document on my FB group page. "A Curse or A Blessing? My Journey Through Breast Cancer." It has all of my blogs in order on one document. Would love to hear feedback and know if any of it helps. You may find some areas your husband would benefit from.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/215080125264060/doc/215153981923341/
Have a blessed day everyone and Healing Hugs!
Denielle
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