Ladies in their 30s
Comments
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My side effects are definitely worse around my period. My cycles have also become longer and less regular. It's not awful, but it's pretty annoying.
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Hello Lovelies
Saying Hi, from South Africa I'm 34, and I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in 2015. I've had chemo, full right masectomy (with 11 lymph nodes removed) and radiation. It's been year since radiation has ended and so far all the tests have come back clear.
I'm not married, and no kiddies - but thanks to cancer, I'm not sure if that's even a possibility anymore. I'm so shy of my massive scar across my chest and my prosthetic, that dating is a no-no! Is there a dating life after a masectomy?!?! I'm also considering TRAM flap reconstruction, because I don't want implants and DIEP is too expensive and far away for me to do. I don't think I'll be able to have kiddies with the TRAM flap, what with the muscles being removed and all.... I know adoption is always an option, but.. its almost like the option of having children is being taken away if that makes sense....0 -
Hi everybody! I've read through all the posts from 2016 forward and now I have a question that I didn't see mentioned...there are several other sex-life-related threads that talk about the awful things that happened to women's vaginas during treatment (pain, bleeding, atrophy, dryness, zero orgasms, complete-end-of-sex-life, etc.) and basically scared the crap out of me. But then I realized those threads are mostly about women who have had problems, so people who haven't had any problems probably aren't posting there, plus most of the women there seem to be in their 50s and 60s. So my questions for all the other 30-something ladies like me are: did you have any lady parts-related side effects from treatment? Were they permanent or did they go away? Or did you skate through without any? There seems to be data about everything breast-cancer-related EXCEPT this...
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Hey parakeet, I was dx at 34, now 36 and on hormone pills and I have to say that yes I suffer from vaginal atrophy, lack of drive and painful sex because of this. The lack of estrogen is what causes this and I think there will be many younger women with the same issues. It can be very frustrating especially being so young. I'm married so I do feel like it's another set of issues that we didn't ask for, but obviously all the same I'm happy to still be here.
I got referred to menopause clinic and saw a gynaecologist. She said advised me to use vaginal moisturisers, a numbing cream which stops the pain which is amazing and says sex will be different. It's no longer a gush of hormones that puts you in the mood, it's more of a conscious effort initially. It's a bit sad, but you do learn to deal with it. If you're not got hormone related bc, then you should be alright..
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I was trying to figure out if it's like losing your hair, which happens to everybody, or is it a side effect that only happens to some people? Is it universal, or it is common but not universal, or is it rare, basically. The only stuff I've found so far didn't track that particular side effect, or just says "it can happen". I was hoping to hear from a lot of people who didn't have any issues!
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I have been on OS and A Is for almost two years. Yes, I am experiencing that side effect, it is from lack of estrogen. But I use coconut oil everyday which helps a lot. Also, I use lubrication but I find that the more my husband and I are together the less it hurts. So if I use it, I don't lose it. I don't have much of a libido though. Everyone is different. I think if you are on top of the problem right away it could be better for you.
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Use it or lose it, that makes sense, I saw other people say that too. Hm. My boyfriend is going to be thrilled when he asks what he can do and I tell him that he can help me by having sex as often as possible. Hahaha.
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Parakeet - I'm 34. I've been on Tamoxifen for about two months now and have had no sexual side effects. I have had some other issues, like sleep disturbances and weird periods, but I encourage you to keep an open mind and a good attitude - everyone is different.
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I've been on tamoxifen for 3 months. It has wreaked havoc with my menstrual cycle, but I haven't had any sexual side effects.
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Hi everyone,
I was diagnosed just on Wednesday. IDC, multifocal, 1 cm, grade is intermediate-high. I have appts with a surgeon and oncologist on Monday and Tuesday. I am 31, 15 weeks pregnant, just married last August. I suppose they do say the first year of marriage is the hardest...
I am still processing and feeling incredibly angry. My pregnancy has been a total pleasure and breeze and the baby is doing well. I had plans of a natural birth at home, breast feeding, enjoying the summer being hot and pregnant and relishing the whole experience. My heart is broken now. I have fears of the toll this will take on my health, relationships, and overall life and am grieving the body I know I will soon lose.
I know I will need to gain strength and hope but at this early stage I feel utterly shattered and have not yet become ready to accept this yet. I know I will have no choice as surgery is looming and whatever plan the medical team sets up for me will soon begin.
My husband is wonderful but my heart aches for him too. The only real comfort I have found is through connecting with others who have gone through this so that I don't feel so alone
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Hi Rubyroo, I'm so sorry you're going through this. I was also dx while pregnant (the baby is 2 and a half now), and so was SkiChic, who may be around here somewhere. It adds a whole other level of suck to the whole thing, but it is also nice to have one good thing to focus on to keep you going. It's a grieving process for sure, and that takes time. There are support groups for caregivers, too, my husband never joined one but he really should have.
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Hello everyone. I was diagnosed on Feb. 28, 2017 at the age of 36 with IDC, Stage 2, Grade 2. I have a wonderful, supportive husband of 14yrs and two boys--ages 11&9. I've already had my 2.6cm mass removed via Lumpectomy w/ SNB at the end of March. My Surgeon was able to get clear margins, but Pathology did find 1 micromet on one of the lymph nodes
Because of this and being so young, I get to start dose dense AC+T chemo on June 8th. I'm terrified of this whole treatment process, but have seen sooooo many wonderful stories of survival and encouragement, so will just have to remember those when the going gets tough!! This momma is ready to get it all over with so I can go back to "normal" life with my family----I worry about them coping with this breast cancer, than myself most days. 0 -
I hope you get back to "normal" soon. Whatever your new normal becomes.
Checking-in. I was diagnosed on the first business day of the new year. I'm 33 years old and I have a little boy who will be 3 in September.
My first diagnosis was DCIS, 4CM of it. When I had my surgery my final pathology revealed multi-focal invasion of IDC within the mass, but less than 1cm altogether. I'm ER/PR+ 100%, Her2-, Ki67 25%. Low oncotype (13)
I'm doing the hormone therapy thing now. Tamoxifen, and maybe something more aggressive. I didn't do chemo. My oncologist is thinking I should try OS+AI but if I can't handle the side effects she says I don't have to. I don't really want to do anything more than tamoxifen...
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Hi Knitpig, my diagnosis is similar to yours, but because I have positive node, I did chemo! I had surgery almost two weeks ago, I am feeling pretty good now and will start Tamoxifen today! My oncologist wants switch me to AI after the insurance approves monthly lupron. Best wishes!
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hi knit pig and blue eyes, sorry about your diagnosis. Just try and stay positive even though I know that's hard. I finished chemo the end of February and it's still hard recouping. You guys will get through this. Hugs
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Hi Ladies.
First time poster, long-time lurker. . . (not that long). I just found this thread for the 30's BC set.
This site is usually a source of relief, solidarity, sisterhood, information, good news, bad news, answers to my bajillion questions for better or worse. But today it just makes me feel lonely. Today I am just REALLY feeling the chemopause. And I'm trying to have a positive outlook like usual and just visit to find the "you're not the first of your kind" posts, but the darkside is stronger than even this treasure trove of collective wisdom, today. So, I finally felt like it was time to whisper into the void. I'm here. This whole thing sucks. I wish I had a punching bag. I'm being a total a-hole and seriously can't think one positive thought. This isn't the first thing I wanted to post. But, maybe it's the most necessary. It's definitely what I need right now.
. . . Today, I reserve the right to feel what I'm feeling.
xo, Raque
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anyone here with a history of chronic antibiotic use?
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How would you define chronic?
I'm asthmatic so I used to get multiple bouts of bronchitis each year during cold and flu season. At one point I probably had a scrip for a Z-pack 2-3 times a year.
I was also on macrobid for a while from chronic UTI's, but that hasn't been an issue for several years (thanks to probiotics) Are you asking because of that study linking antibiotic usage to BC risk?
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yes because of that study.
I used a lot of antibiotics for Lyme disease but my oncologist says that study wasn't conclusive. I have no family history
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Hey! I was diagnosed at 27 and I am now about to be 32. I have intraductal carcinoma and had a double mastectomy. 6 rounds of chemo followed as well as reconstruction. I live in South GA and was not able to connect with other young women diagnosed with breast cancer. I recently found this blog and I'm excited to continue reading and learning. I am supposed to be on Tomaxifin but the side effects made me tired all the time and made my joints hurt. Scans are clear though!
Just wanted to say hey and I look forward to future correspondence.
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Welcome, Cjones! We're glad you've found us, and hope you're able to make some connections here and get the support you're looking for!
The Mods
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parakeet - I would like to offer hope in the sexual realm, but my experience is dismal. I have almost NO sex drive. Sex hurts all the time, every time, and full penetration is not possible. I just grit my teeth now and again and hope it ends quickly for the sake of my marriage But, I am post-menopause and I have heard that Tamoxifen is not this severe. Frankly, it is awful, but it is better than being dead. Frequent "sex" (which is really just partial sex) does not help nor does any of the variety of lubricants we have tried, including prescribed "Scream Cream" from my MO. I wish I could find a vaginal numbing cream, that would be the best solution, but no luck yet. Sorry, hon.
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hey ladies,
I was diagnosed last month and was wondering (I skimmed through some posts on here) how many of you went the egg/embryo freezing route prior to starting treatment?
I have one child (7yrs) and I got pregnant in May 2017 (after 5 yrs of trying) only to have a miscarriage in Mid June. And then in July I found my lump. *sigh* I actually think the miscarriage happened because the cancer was already growing.
So I'm considering freezing eggs/embryos. I really worry about the costs. But they have some programs which help pay for the medications I hear. I wish they would pay for everything lol.
What were your experiences with this? Thanks.
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hi, I'm 38 and was diagnosed with BC the end of latest month. Have a 13 year-old daughter and feel sorry to drag her into this drama. I started Chemo ((CT) yesterday as per-operation treatment. Keep my finger crossed ...
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Hi Ladies,
I'm new here, as well and diagnosed at 35 last month. About to start chemo in a couple of weeks. Currently, I am going through the process of fertility treatments to freeze my eggs, as I've never had kids and was told that I will probably have a less than 10% chance of getting pregnant on my own. Anyone else going through these kind of treatments before chemo?
Edit: MakeupLover I just saw your post after I posted mine. I'm in the midst of treatments to freeze my eggs. I look at it as an insurance policy just in case. It is super expensive, I will admit, but with currently no kids it's an expense I'm going to have to eat.
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Welcome, Sarahlr!
We're sorry that you've joined this club, and at such a young age. We hope you find support here as you continue down this road. Best of luck with your egg retrieval and treatment!
The Mods
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Hi Sarah, just wondering how chemo went the first time. I was 35 at dx as well, and had the same chemo regime, now two years out from dx. I have a good friend who was dx at 26 and again at 31 (she is now four year out from her second dx) and she had her eggs frozen before her first round of chemo. They are still in storage and so far still viable! Wishing you the very best with your journey.
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hi everyone,
Diagnosed recently with stage 3A TNBC. it's a relief to find a community like this.
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Hi there.
I'm 32, just diagnosed 2 days ago. DCIS on path (don't know too many other details yet other than ER+/PR+) but area is apparently quite large at almost 5cm and breast MRI was suspicious for signal enhancement indicating involvement of the chest wall and abnormal axillary lymph nodes. Had a lymph node biopsy today to see if any spread, meeting with oncofertility to freeze eggs ASAP as well as trying to get a 2nd opinion. I've been lurking around this board for the last week or so (I kinda had a bad feeling things would end up this way), it's been really helpful already
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QTCL13, I'm sorry you have found yourself here. But this site is amazing, you will find so much support here. I hope you get answers and a plan in place soon. Good luck with freezing your eggs, that was something I wish I took the time to do.
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