Ladies in their 30s
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Sparklekat- I use the I'm not dead phrase when I'm doing something and people make a fuzz that I should sit down and rest. You are so right, some people are like mother hens. There are times that I appreciate the mother hens. Especially, when hubby lifts things for me
lillaura22- glad to know things worked out. If you go public without the wig wear some fancy earrings. I got a wig and never where it because of hot flashes, I just go bald and with dangling earrings. Which I didn't own, but friends went out and got me about 10 pairs. I'm so thankful they weren't pink.
Jmenchaca78…I had to make peace with my chemo. I can say that doing the chemo wasn't bad, but I had an anaphylactic allergic reactioneach time and ended up firing my MO. Don't be afraid when you are in the BIG GIRL CHAIR to SPEAK UP if something feels odd. Also, if you can stick around for an hour or two after chemo incase you do have reaction, that way the doctors will see you right away. These were two things I did not do, but was told by another experience warrior should have done. Take a blanket and something fun to do, like netfix, book, or cards. I over packed my bag the first time. I did run a 1 -3 miles while on chemo until I got the flu. Fight on Warrior.
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Fairydogmother, hahaha! Yeah I don't mind it when my parents help me or close friends, but when people I hardly know (or don't really care for that much) act all shocked and sad I just kind of what to slap them! So I've done a pretty good job of avoiding those conversations thus far!
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My pet peeve was people I didn't know would be "I'm Sorry", my responds, was like "why you didn't give me cancer or did you curse me?" I would say bad things happen in life. I have had strangers since I go bald almost everyday come up and just hug me. I don't like to be touched. Others have been like let me get that for you...it is weird. Of course I live in a small town. Almost everyone who has helped or said something to me knows someone or has a family member that has cancer. I feel my circle of cancer friends is growing. That saddens me.
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I have had strangers since I go bald almost everyday come up and just hug me.
Okay, seriously??? That's just creepy.
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I actually wanted to get a shirt that says yes I'm under 40 with cancer, so please don't: hug me, say your sorry, or ask me what kind. I will tell you prostate.
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Fairy - it has happened to me twice too. I am actually afraid to go to Wegmans now. Must figure out how not to look like a cancer patient.
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Loving these posts ladies! I hate the sympathetic look or slight rub on the back from people I hardly know. I know everyone means well and normally I'd really appreciate the thought...but these days I find it annoying to take. It has amazed me how some people just can't handle the news! It's like they have me partially written off. My hair has just started to fall out - this has been a challenge. BUT, I've known it's been coming and had a good amt of time to settle into the idea as much as possible. But now it feels like everyone around me has this absolute look of horror on their faces or grave concern when it's discussed. Sometimes I wonder how I end up rolling with the punches when it's my reality....and those around me who don't have to go through it struggle the way they do. I guess they just don't know how to take it...or how they'd handle it. I know it's out of love from those close to me but sometimes it's tough. Especially on the days where you really feel on top of the battle...then you come across the Debby Downers who instantly rain on your "I'm all over this!" parade. Annnyyywaaayyyy...:)
I hope everyone's feeling ok. I'm scheduled for my second TCH next Tuesday. I still can't quite imagine being bald...but I'll take it in my stride. Can any of you offer any insight on how long it took for your hair to grow back?
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Gilash - i finished chemo in late December 2012 and trashed my scarves in mid March 2013. Granted I had a super duper short cut - but my scalp was covered. So I ditched them and decided to head out into the world with short short hair. Since then it has grown at a pretty good clip - although I've decided to embrace the short hair style so keep getting it cut. Some had told me that herceptin prolonged the growth process, slowing it down - but I'm not sure if that is true. I wrapped up herceptin in October 2013 and can't say one way or the other whether or not I noticed a change in growth. Good luck!
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Hi everyone,
I'm 30 and was diagnosed last month with DCIS and IDC. It was a fight with insurance almost every step of the way - first to get them to cover the mammogram, then the ultrasound, then an MRI, then a biopsy. It took over a month to get all the tests necessary just to get to the biopsy phase to finally get a diagnosis! I'm guessing insurance doesn't like thinking that a 30 year old could have cancer. I never had a palpable lump, and my mammogram was initially just to get a baseline because of my family history, so the finding was entirely unexpected. Also, the regular mammogram images didn't show anything, it was the 3D mammogram images that actually showed the mass. I was really shocked and scared to find that out! If I had gone to a place that did only regular mammo's instead of 3D, we would have thought I was clear and I wouldn't have had another mammo for awhile, maybe too late. The mass didn't show up on the ultrasounds, either, which is why they had to move on to MRI with me. I'm really thankful I had a persistent doctor who was aggressive in getting to the bottom of this.
Anyway, a week after my diagnosis, I was being rolled into surgery for a bilateral mastectomy. No radiation for me, thank goodness, but still waiting on Oncotype results to find out if chemo is in the cards. All of this came 1 month after my 1 year anniversary with my new husband. No children for us, but we have 2 dogs that are like our children. Just thought I'd pop in here to give some background and put myself out there in the 30's group... sometimes I feel like an outsider because many of the others I've talked to who are currently dealing with breast cancer or have dealt with it in the past are much older and faced different lifestyle challenges than you do at this age. It would be nice to connect with others who understand what you face at this age.
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I am in my late thirties with no children. I'm not married, but live with someone. I get depressed now and again when I see pictures of wedding couples and babies, two things I don't have. I know if my boyfriend wasn't struggling to keep up afloat, we probably would be getting engaged and planning a wedding. I just didn't want to do it at age 40 with a crew-cut! And fake nipples to boot! Not exactly what I had planned. Although my family and friends admire my strength through all of this......chemo......surgery......possible infertility, chemopause or menopause?(no one knows) etc, they don't know how many times I find myself crying. Not really because this happened to me, but because I don't know what to do now. I'm chock full of great ideas and would love to pursue a career in nutrition and helping other cancer patients. But, I've got no money, no job, no home to call my own. If I work, I'll lose my state medical benefits., yet I can't live on the $200 cash I get from the state once a month. I was denied disability and rental assistance, so I've been staying at my boyfriend's one room studio since July 2013. I appreciate having a place to be but I feel like a caged animal. I can't do things other people do, i.e. go to a gym, have lunch with a friend, even buy some darn curlers for my ill-fit, worn-out donated wig. I can't even excuse myself to another room in the house because there aren't any! I realize I may come off as unappreciative by saying all this. I appreciate being alive everyday. I am blessed to be dealing with this so well, compared to others. I DO know all these things. But the truth is, it takes strength just to be strong everyday. I never let my mother, sisters, or friends see me cry or look disappointed. If I'm upbeat and positive, then they will be too. I have ideas on starting an online business or website about diet and nutrition. I'd love to go back to school to become a dietician, but have no money! Sometimes I feel like I have no prospects. I come close to losing hope, but try to pull myself up right away. It's not easy. Oh well, sorry for ranting...its just one of those days. These expanders are fiercely uncomfortable. My sleep is so poor. I can't wait till this is over!
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Hi everyone,I am getting my implants this Wednesday.I was waiting for this day since the first day of my diagnosis.But now I am here kind of really sad and feel weird .please give me hug and cheer me up
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setizand...dont feel sad, at least you will look good for the summer
. No chemo for you? hugs!!!0 -
Soriy123
WoW, I forgot summer is coming! You really cheered me up.Well I had 4 rounds of CT. and I am done with chemo as of last Dec. Thank you for the hug!
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hey ladies..
just done with chemo.. somehow feel a little more active now, although side effects still remain.
taxol has kind of made me immobile. Tremendous neuropathy and burning sensation under the feet. I hope all will be over soon.
My daughter is going to turn 6 in May, and was very happy to hear that Mumma's chemo is finally over...i hope its "finally" done! She was very cooperative through out..i must say!
Rads begin next. Have decided to do some changes in the house post rads..at least the environment should change if not the house.
lots of love..
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setizand, I will have my implant in mid May. My PS will try to take some of my fat from my tummy n inner thighs to put where my upper breast bone that look kinda dent.n boney. The thing is i am skinny, I lost 12 lbs since i started chemo. My PS told me that I dont have enough fat n she will try to get as much as she can to fill in that spot. I was so dissappointed to hear....that i dont have enough fat.
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BanR congrats on finishing chemo! i dont have taxol but i had taxotere made my feet n ankles swollen n had rash on my right arm on my first chemo. i still have that rash mark till now, i dont kno if it ever going to fade away. Good luck with rad next week. wishing you with no side effect.
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thanks soriya!
keep updated how your surgery went through.. in case the body does not have enough fat, cant they use artificial means?
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setizand- just curious, I am scheduled for my implants in 3 weeks, yeah! Are your docs stopping your tamoxifan prior to surgery ( if you are on it). Mine said there is no need.
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HEY! Orange County peeps! Who is your PS if you don't mind me asking? I am with Zenieh at St. Joes in Orange. She's very sweet but sometimes I wish she was a little more verbal. Hahah! I think she feels like she needs to be gentle with me or something because I am so young (29).
I had my mastectomy with TE's Feb 11 and I am so much smaller. I am back at work today so I went to pull out a blue blazer from my closet and it seems so big on me. It's great! Haha I love being smaller but I think I am going to aim for a C cup so I can fill out the seven swimming suits I bought on asos.com while I was sitting around the house last week. What? Me, get carried away? Never!
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Hey gals popping in on this forum, 36 when diagnosed 37 now..........married with 2 little guys ages 5 and 8. I have two taxols left then I am done my treatments my last one in march 17th, dealing with some neuropathy in my hands and feet, sucks.
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Kimie, are you doing the squeezy exercises with your hands? (crunch you hand into a fist repeatedly) It's supposed to help although I don't know if it does?
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Hi Kimie, welcome to this board! i have 2 kids also 8 and 11. i am 39 yrs old.
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sparklekat, my PS is Linda L Zeined from St Joseph Hos. Are we having the same PS? LOL BanR...... my PS didnt say anything about artificial.
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I thought about contacting someone for acupuncture to see if that helps, I am a hairstylist so I need my hands and feet at 100%
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Kimie - I also had some neuropathy issues, mainly in my feet. It's been almost 3 months since I finished chemo and I've noticed that they have really started to disappear to the point that it's really not an issue any longer. When I was having neuropathy issues I read online that the neuropathy often goes away after treatment and the time it takes can vary. The general rule though was that if you still have neuropathy after three years post-treatment, it is there to stay. For now I'd just assume the best, which is that the neuropathy is temporary and will likely resolve itself or be greatly reduced in time.
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Soriya, yes! We have the same PS. Do you feel like she's quiet? Every time I have been in to see her my mom has been with me so I don't know if she's quiet because my moms there or because she's just that way but I kinda wish she was a little more vocal.
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somewhat she's kind a quiet but if you have any question she was so nice about it. she always smiles and looks happy every time I see her. Who is your Oncologist and Breast Surgeon? My Onco is Dr Margileth and BS is Michelle Carpenter.
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Me too, me too! I love my/our team. I adore Dr. Margileth. I haven't seen Dr. Carpenter very much, maybe like three times, but she's also very sweet.
Everyone is so gentle with me because they think I'm too young but I am sooooooo not bitching. My biggest regret in this whole thing is that I didn't ask for strapless dresses at Christmas. AND the fact that I got my last stupid drain out last Monday and I was so amped to wear the few strapless dresses that I do own (and the seven swimming suits I ordered) and it's supposed to rain this weekend. REALLY??! It's been like 80 for the past month and NOW it's going to rain?! Jerky weather gods!
Are you on Tamoxifen? I see Margileth on Monday and I think he's going to start me on that. I have to ask him about hot flashes because they have been really bad since my mastectomy.
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sparklekat, what a small world. LOL unfortunately i am not on any pill cuz I am ER/PR negetive n HER2+ . I am seeing Dr. Margileth every 3 wks and I am still on Herceptin every 3 weeks until July
. I also see dr carpenter every 3 months. Are you done with chemo?0 -
Yeah I only had 4 rounds of TC chemo. They wanted me to do six but we couldn't feel the lump after round three so Margileth said I could do 4 if my MRI came back clear. By the time I had surgery it appeared I had a complete pathological response because they didn't find any cancer in the breast tissue they removed. (Of course I suppose it could have been there and just too small to find right?).
Did you have a tissue expander placed? If so, how much does Zenieh fill you every week?
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