Ladies in their 30s
Comments
-
Sorry to hear that you tested positive for a gene mutation!
It is hard to hear that you are high risk. Definitely do your research and go for a second opinion if you need to.
I have been on Tamoxifen for the past 5 months and hot flashes have been my most prominent side effect.
Before you decide about taking you ovaries out talk to you doctors about fertility preservation if having babies is something that you would want in the future.
It's a shame that these decision have to be made at such age!
Hugs
0 -
brip1 - sorry to hear you have some tough decisions to make. I agree that getting a second opinion might be good. It's unfortunate that most of the prevention methods available are fairly drastic... would be nice if we could achieve prevention Without removing body parts... Mastectomy is not an easy surgery but it is doable for sure. I can't speak to ovary removal except to say that I have been researching it a bit lately. You should definitely ask the Dr's about the cons - which can be significant for young women who are supposed to be older before menopause and it's detriments set in. As for tamoxifen - you will hear mixed things. I have been on it for almost 2 years now and don't feel like I have many side effects to complain of. Biggest issue is some unwanted discharge. Hope this helps. Good luck.
Question for any ladies on tamoxifen. I went through chemopause but then my period came back. And i have been fairly regular while I've been on tamoxifen. But I am now for the first time over a week late. I took a pregnancy test this morning and it was negative. So I'm assuming I might perhaps be heading into a temporary menopause or at least more of an irregular schedule. So was just wondering if any of you have had similar experiences. Thanks!
0 -
Ramols, I am still in chemopause but I have read other ladies mentioning that their period was wonky after it got back and tamoxifen can cause irregular periods. If the irregularity continues go see a doc.
How long before your period returned? It's 6 month since I last got mine. Was it the same as before?
0 -
Hi Lolis - I don't honestly recall how long after chemo it took for my period to come back. If I had to guess I'd say around 4 months after I stopped chemo it came back. I remember the first one being super heavy but not that long. And then it started following a pretty usual pattern of heavy for one day and then light for 2-3 days. Very different than my cycles before treatment - which dragged on for a full week. The other change has been consistently having several days of spotting before the actual flow starts. Not sure what it is shifting to now, though... I guess the idea is to expect the unexpected!
0 -
Mine was a few months after chemo. A week before my hysterectomy. I was all sorts of mad lol.
0 -
My period came back 5 months after chemo, and they have been heavy consistently every month.
0 -
My FSH test came back high so this chemopause might become menopause for me. I am thinking to retest again in a few months.
0 -
Hi ladies,
Still new to the forum but slowly coming around and saying hello. I guess my story? I'm 34 and felt a lump in the shower, waited about a month or two (I know, stupid. But I read that it could be from my period and might go away. It never did). Then the whirlwind started. Went for a mammo and ultrasound 3/13. biopsy 3/24, diagnosed 3/27 originally as DCIS with minimal invasion. No one really seemed concerned, probably just radiation. I can deal with that, right?? Still wanted the mass out ASAP so on 4/2 had a lumpectomy and SNB (just in case!). 4/9 went back to the surgeon for a checkup and he informs me that it's actually not DCIS at all, it's all invasive, and when they did the SNB, he thought he only removed one node but it was actually 5 stuck together and cancer was found in one of the nodes. So chemo is a definite. Good news is that there were 'great' margins so no more surgery needed. Hopefully.
I know we've all been through this so I'm sorry to vent and cry but I know you guys will understand. I've been the epitome of healthy before this. Eat healthy and clean, I CrossFit 3-5x per week, I always have taken care of myself. The why me phase is in full force right now. I cry almost every time I'm alone, I wake up every night around 3 or 4am and can't get back to bed and just cry. Not to mention I'm 34, single, no kids, etc, etc, etc. All I can keep thinking is that kids will most likely be out of the picture for me, by the time I get through all of this I'll be 'old' (haha everyone older than me can yell at me, I know it's stupid but this is my brain on overload right now).
On Monday I have my first appointment with my oncologist to figure out what the heck to do from here on out and get the results from the rest of pathology. Surgeon said since I'm so young they'll be really aggressive with my treatment, which scares me even more. I stumbled on the cold cap thread here and I had some hope that I'll still be able to keep some of the hair on my head through all this. But the more I read, the more aggressive treatment usually means the less successful the cold capping. Queue the tears again. *sigh*
Have I babbled enough? I think so..
0 -
Hi Steflove, sorry to meet you here. When I was diagnosed, I was 34 as well. My boy was 5 years old. I was horrified. They said my treatment would be aggressive because I was young and I have Triple Negative breast cancer. So I had chemo and radiation. Also had genetic test. Just want to let you know that you are doing the best you can, and you will get your normals back after the treatment. Hugs.
0 -
Steflove,
I'm so sorry you have to be going through any of this. This diagnosis and your emotional response is a dynamic process. This wound is still so fresh and may require allowing yourself some time to cry, be in shock, and feel emotions that didn't necessarily exist before. Plus, the early phase of this insane roller coaster ride was dragged out with more and more traumatic news. Chemo and radiation are no picnic but you're 34 yo body is strong and you;ll soon be amazed when you see what it's capable of. You haven't even met with an oncologist yet. Hopefully, they will help digest and make sense of all this crazy info and help you take control of the situation by formulating a plan. For me, it was this step that lifted me out of the terror phase and into the action phase. Also, they should set you up with fertility specialist to discuss your options for future fertility (freezing eggs, protecting ovaries with meds, etc). Plenty of women go on to have healthy babies after breast cancer.
I too was 34 when I was diagnosed almost year ago (4/29/14). I am going to share a few things I wish I knew then:
1) try to connect locally with other YOUNG women who are currently (or recently) going through this. I'd start by going to the Young Survivals Coalition and Living Beyond Breast Cancer's/Young Survivors Initiative websites. If you can't find anything near you, reach out to the people at those organizations bc they are a wealth of information.
2)No matter how bad your day was or how many hours you cried for, at the end of everyday or every step, find a silverlining-no matter how small (and some days it will be pathetic, for ex, you're so lucky to have such a warm, comfy bed to keep you cozy as you sob) just something to think positively about-. This really helped me get out of some dark moments. I have learned SO much about myself, the universe, life, through this unpleasant time in my life. As awful as the last year was, I really feel that I am where I'm supposed to be (philosophically) and the lessons I've learned will lead to me where I'm supposed to go next.
3) Remember: YOU CAN DO ANYTHING....YOU WILL GET THROUGH THIS. In the early days, I often looked in the mirror (bald and eyebrow-less with red blotches and snot all over from sobbing) and said this outloud to myself over and over until I could get it together.
Hope this helps!
0 -
39, single, childless, and several of my colleagues are going on maternity/paternity leave... I have always done a lot of overtime (you know, I don't have children, so I don't have to leave work early...) and since telling HR of my diagnosis early Jan, have not been able to lessen my workload... Managed the gym (just over 1hour) yest evening but didn't have the time to cook a meal: Bakewell pie and then in bed... At least I slept 6 hours: Monday to Tuesday night it was only 3 hours... And my commute time is set to increase to 2 hours each way shortly...
I'd love to have a family and I'm really wondering who's going to have me with cancer: most people don't want to have to care for so else, let alone be left holding the babies after the death of a partner! Can't even have a dog or a cat as I'm renting...
0 -
Steflove, sorry you had to join us here. Many of the ladies have given many good pointers. I was 33 at diagnosis (last year), married and trying for my first baby (the diagnosis came 3 months after my first miscarriage). I was devastated as I was worried about my ability to be pregnant. I did a round of fertility preservation. There is an organization that could help with the financial part, I believe it is called fertility hope or something like that. Thinking of fertility preservation (if having kids. Is something that you want) and asking your doctor's for referral is a good thing to do before you begin chemo. I did 6 rounds of chemo and have been on chemo pause since August '14 and my ovaries have small follicles.
Crying and venting it is a normal thing to do when diagnosed. I found that I could never find the answer to the why, I never got sick, I was healthy and I ate a balance diet. I started thinking that I was given this experience because I could handle it and started looking at it as a second chance. The anniversary of my surgery is coming up and that would mark the 1st year with no cancer and I look at it as my second birthday!!
You can do it!!! Take it one day at a time!!!
Penzance big hugs!!!! Can you obtain a letter from your doctor to reduce your amount of work for some time?
Hugs!!!
0 -
36 years old,diagnosed with breast cancer yesterday.It hit me very hard and there was good news also.It was caught in the very early stages and surgery is set for the 27th.My mom and 20 year old daughter will be there for support.I am lucky to have my friends,mom whom is a 7 year survivor of this,brother and my 14 year old daughter for support also.Plus have a great song by Martina McBride,I'm going to love you through it in my mind,this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYNOXRifXKQ0 -
Hi ladies -
I haven't checked this thread for almost 2 years, and probably won't until next year, but I made a promise to myself that each year I was doing well I would check-in because when I was first diagnosed, I checked desperately for people doing well.
My history in short -
-Age 33 (9/2012) with a 5 month old daughter - diagnosed Stage 3a with 8 cancerous lymph nodes, ER/PR+, HER2+
-Double mastectomy with expanders
-16 rounds of chemo - Adriamycin, Cytoxin, Taxol with a year of Herceptin
-28 days of radiation
-Tamoxifin for 2 years and then just had ovaries out to reduce risk of recurrence (switched to Arimidex)
-A year of infections last year in my chest as a result of reconstruction issues and trying to rebuild radiated side one more time this summer.
BUT
I'm working, I'm cancer free, and I'm genuinely happy. I walk around with one breast proudly (due to the issue with reconstruction). I'm healthy, work out regularly, and play with my beautiful daughter who knows what my port is and still thinks mommy is pretty despite being different. I know when I was in the midst of everything I was scared and not sure what would happen next. I'm still not sure, and I know I'm considered high risk, but I'm checking in to say if you are sad, and worried, and thinking you just can't do this - you can and you will. I'm not saying it is easy - my energy is lower, my body and memory are not the same, and my sex life with my husband is a challenge. Those can be overwhelming at times. But feel the emotions, and know it is possible to smile again. I think of my cancer every day, but I'm not controlled by it. I can laugh and truely mean it again despite there being a time I couldn't do much besides cry.
So in short, I'm writing to say keep hoping.....one day at a time.
0 -
thank you kmadigan! Just had my first chemo (AC) today and the process just seems never ending. So glad to hear you're doing well!
0 -
Hi Ladies-
I am new to the boards. I was diagnosed October 28th, 2014. I thought I had felt the lump earlier in the month but wasn't sure if that was what I was really feeling. A few weeks later my husband noticed it and that's when I knew I needed to visit the doctor. I went and saw my gynecologist who confirmed the lump and then referred me to the breast care center. I had to wait a whole week before I was seen there. I had a mammogram and then an ultrasound. The lump stuck out and after taking a few pictures the ultrasound tech went and got the radiologist. She immediately recommended a biopsy and said that one of my lymph nodes looked suspicious. I was scared to death! I went back the next day and received the news that it was indeed cancer. I was shocked but in the back of my mind I already knew my diagnosis. The lymph node also came back positive. I went home and told my husband the news. He broke down. I was scared, but not for myself but for my husband and 5 year old son. That afternoon we met with a surgeon and the decision was made to have a double mastectomy done the following Monday. I had the surgery and did rather well afterwards. It was recommended that I not start reconstruction right away and to get through treatments first. I met with my oncologist 3 weeks after my mastectomy and he recommended 4 rounds of A/C and then 12 weeks of Taxol. My breast cancer was negative for all hormones or otherwise called Triple Negative. I finished my last round of chemo about a month ago and then it was recommended that I have radiation. I have had 9 out of 33 radiation treatments. Anyone else have Triple Negative breast cancer? I am scared that my cancer will return somewhere else and mentioned a hysterectomy to my oncologist. He says I am young and can still have more children if I want and to not rush my decision. I look forward to getting to know all of you.
Thank you
0 -
Hi AKF05, your diagnosis sounds very similar to mine. I'm excited to see you are almost done with treatment! I'm only half way thru chemo. Not looking forward to radiation, how is that going for you? I'm scared of reoccurance as well, but since TN responds well to chemo it gives me hope That all this wasn't for nothing!
0 -
hey AKF05,
Not that I want to have this in common with you
but I'm Triple- and 30 years old... Actually have a 6 month old baby girl too! I totally get thinking about your child and husband when they tell you that it is cancer...I'm on a different road then you in treatment... I am doing 12 weekly Taxols followed by surgery, then more chemo, and then rads.
My biggest fear is this coming back somewhere else... I think all of us fear that even the non triple negatives! Unless you are BRCA+ I wouldn't worry about our ovaries tho... If I recall it's not likely to come back there if you don't have the gene!
I would love to have another baby too! I've talked with another young woman who did have a baby 3 years after she beat triple -
it can happen! Good luck with the rest of treatment.0 -
Hi littleblueflowers! How is the chemo going for you? It was rough on me but know you can do it and get through it! Radiation hasn't been too terrible so far. I have noticed I am more tired, especially in the afternoons. I did just return to work after being off 6 months so that plays a part in my fatigue too. My radiation oncologist said I will probably blister and peel in the area where the radiation is being focused. I'm hoping that doesn't happen but I am very fair skinned so we shall see. Good luck to you!
Hey LillieRose! I actually had the gene testing done and the BRCA1 was negative BUT the BRCA2 was inconclusive, crazy I know. So I was told I could see a genetic counselor but there really isn't too much they can do or tell me. How is the Taxol going for you? That was the easier chemo for me. Will you be having a mastectomy? Good luck to you!
0 -
AKF05, triple neg here too
There's a forum post for TN ladies that I keep up with, not sure if you've found it yet...https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/72/topic/...
I'm jealous that you're almost done with treatment. I just had my first round of AC on Thursday and the rest of the road seems so daunting.
I think I'm just in a funk after this weekends side effects and hopefully as the SE's lessen I'l be in a better mood! 0 -
Hang in there steflove. The first week after treatment is always the worst and then you feel more like a person the second week. And then before you know it you're halfway done with AC, and then all done. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.
0 -
Steflove thanks for the link to the TN group. Hang in there. The first week of the A/C is the worst and then hopefully you will have a few good days. I had a lot of nausea and just didn't feel good while on that combo. My oncologist just didn't understand how I was so sick with all the anti nausea meds they were giving me but they just didn't help. The Taxol was a lot easier for me. I'll be thinking of you.
0 -
AKF05, it's good to hear taxol is easier on the stomach. I to have nausea that just never ends no matter what I take, and then the giant mouth sores start. I'd trade my toenails to be able to eat in a heart beat. Last AC on Friday...I'm afraid it might finally rot the bottom out of my stomach..😵
0 -
thanks ramols and akf
Sad part is I don't think my SE are even that bad, I'm just being a whiney baby about everything. I've always been so healthy, never sick, ever. And knowing that I can't really do anything about this is the most frustrating thing I think. Today is definitely a better day! AKF, what nausea meds were you on during AC? I have compazine and ativan but I think I might want to ask for something a little stronger next round. I was just miserable.
0 -
littleblueflowers, I had a few mouth sores in the beginning with AC. My oncologist gave me some special mouth wash and a prescription for diflucan which helped a lot! I hope they get better for you. Thinking of you!
0 -
StefLove, I was on the ativan and compazene as well and I was also given a prescription for the steroid Dexamethozone but I hated taking that one because it gave me a headache. They did give it to me in my iv bag though and it didn't give me a headache that way. My nausea was so bad I was also given a prescription for Marinol which is a man made cannabis. I took that once and also did not like the way it made me feel. Very whoozy and definite high feeling. It did help me want to eat though. I craved chocolate pie.
Right before my last round of AC I was given Zofran which seemed to work better for my nausea. Just take it one day at a time. I didn't even try to eat my favorite foods during that time because I was just miserable. Soup broth helped and for some reason I did well with spicy foods too. 0 -
thanks AKF, Right now I'm just trying to eat whatever the heck my body wants and doesn't reject. I usually weigh myself every day just to see where I'm at (I don't obsess over it!) and the day before my first chemo I was at my heaviest I've been in awhile. Stress, blah, blah, blah. Today I'm down 8# from then, exactly one week later.
So I'm just trying to get any calories into my body at the moment. Panera breakfasts seem to work 0 -
StefLove- I lived on Panera chicken noodle soup while doing the AC. A friend had brought me some just shortly after I started chemo and it was one of the few things my stomach could tolerate. I agree with you, go with whatever you can keep down. Don't worry about the weight loss either. I lost 20lbs while doing the AC but when I started the Taxol I quickly gained it back plus some. I blame it on the cold months we had in Iowa, not working, and finally feeling well enough to eat oh and the darn steroid they gave me.
I am now exercising twice a week at a local medfit program and working 20 hours a week at a physical job so hopefully it will come off soon.0 -
hello ladies I just turned 30 so I can join the group wohoo! I was wondering if any actually removed your ovaries I am doing tchp chemocurrently then I will have a double mastectomy and implants but my dr gave me the choice of tamoxifen or Adrimycin with Lupron injections or remove the ovaries I was leaning towards removing them only because it's one less cancer I will worry about and also it's proven to work 17% better than tamoxifen. Not looking forward to all the terrible side effects and early menapause but I feel like I will do anything if it keeps this evil cancer from returning
0
