Ladies in their 30s?
Comments
-
Thanks, Brandall. I can totally relate to the "reality" hitting at certain times, especially when reminded of things into the future. Recently someone was talking about my 15-year college reunion and asking whether I had booked a hotel, and I thought that I don't even like planning for more than two or so months into the future.
MDtoMom- Sorry you have to find us all here, but it's a wonderful group. Your children are about the ages of mine - 5 and 2. My 2-year-old was 7 weeks when I was initially diagnosed with Stage 2. Don't know if I was Stage 4 from the outset, since I didn't have a PET scan. I can only imagine the unique perspective you bring coming from the medical field. I imagine it to be a double-edged sword. I often think that to be the case for me, as I had been a psychologist specializing with children who had experienced trauma. Never thought I'd have to use this training for my personal life!0 -
Brandall - No news yet! Every other PTscan, I've had my doctors appointment the day after; so, they always had to get the report done quickly. No such luck this time
0 -
Hi CJRT
Thanks for the welcome. I haven't found anyone in my area in a similar situation (which I am glad, because it frankly sucks and wouldn't wish this on anyone else), so it's nice to be able to reach out to others. The medical background helps, but I found I spent the first 6 months being the patient and not playing doctor. I think I am finally getting over the shock and since I am still progressing, am quickly getting caught up on all the medical options out there and hope to share what I learn with others.0 -
Hi all. I called MO back and pleaded my case for a scan. She finally gave in and ordered a CT. I'm so glad we did the scan because we now have more information about what we're dealing with...she called it "mixed response". Basically it's like they are treating 2 different kinds of cancer because some of the cells respond to chemo, and some only respond to hormone therapy. While I was on Xeloda, one of the large lesions in my liver disappeared completely! BUT...while it was shrinking, another one grew nearby and the Xeloda didn't touch it. Have you ever heard of this before? My MO says this makes treatment very diffficult because we have to decide whether to alternate treatments every few months to keep all of the cancer in check, OR try to treat both at the same time without making my body too toxic.
I'm considering going for a second opinion as far as treatment options- just want to know that I'm doing everything I can and not just settling for one person's thoughts/opinions. I've read lots of comments on Cancer Treatment Centers of America- both good and bad. I've already been to MDAnderson over a year ago and they didn't do anything for me. Not sure if they would do more now that we know more about my cancer or not- just trying to decide what to do. Any thoughts?0 -
Hi onestep. I am in a similar situation. My primary breast tumor and initial liver mets responded well to carboplatin but then I took a chemo break for surgery and radiation and developed new lung and liver mets that were no longer responsive to carbo. One dominant liver lesion hasn't responded to anything yet, so I think your onc is right in that you have a mixed tumor burden. Since my lung and liver lesions are easy to follow by regular CT, I get chest, abdomen and pelvis CT's every 2 months in addition to tumor markers every 3 weeks to judge how effective my current chemo is going. PET scans are too time consuming and not really giving me additional information at this point.
I think for people in our situation, there is no "right" answer for chemo, and this is where I think it is really important to have a good relationship with your oncologist. You have to decide what is right for your situation based on side effects, QOL, how often you want scans, etc. I haven't had to get a second opinion yet as I am happy with my current treatment options, but MD Anderson would be next on my list. Good luck0 -
Thinking of you Kasi. Sending prayers to your beloved Clifford and your family this holiday season. I expect the lack of your physical presence will be so painful. You were much much too young, with your glorious mane of dark hair...0 -
Brandall - Still NED - woohoo!0 -
Wonderful news nbnotes! YAY!!!!!
Onestepatatime - I'm glad you got the CT. I always think more information is better! I also think if you are doubtful in anyway that you are on the right course treatment wise, then a second opinion is a good idea. If nothing else, than you might get to hear that the 2nd opinion doc wouldn't do anything differently and you get peace of mind. I have not heard good things about Cancer Treatment Centers of America (but have never been myself, so don't know if the bad opinions are true). Most of the ladies here do not think they are that great, but I do think there are one or two on here who swear by them, so who knows? I have consistently heard good things about MDAnderson, but again, have not been there myself. Good luck!0 -
NBNOTES!!! I needed to hear some good news! So happy for you! Brandall, I laughed hard at your reference to people complaining on facebook. I think that to myself all of the time! I had my scan today. I will find out Wednesday around lunch. More nervous for so many reasons. Praying, praying! Hope to report back with good news on Wednesday.
0 -
Yay for NED!!!!!! NBNOTES May you dance with NED for a very long time.
Aic -praying that NED is still playing.
Everyone else have a good day, hour, minute....whatever you can muster.
0 -
Thanks fujiimama! No more scans during the month of December. Scanxiety has put a big damper on my holidays. Results tomorrow. Wish I could sleep til my appt lol!
0 -
I'll be thinking about you aic!! Hang in there!0 -
Hey there! Just wanted to check in. I have not been on in a while and I'm trying to catch up on what is going on with everyone. Hope you are all doing well.0 -
J1e1n1a, I've been thinking about you! Glad you checked in, how are you feeling?0 -
STILL NED! Now I can celebrate my birthday that I was too stressed to celebrate last week!0 -
Woohoo!!!!!!!!!!! So happy for your aic! Happy Belated Birthday!0 -
Woohoo aic! So happy for you!0 -
Yay Aic!!!!!!!!!!...
0 -
hi Ladies!
I'm a little late to the party but I'm only 29 for three more months... Do I count?
0 -
Asly close enough for me.
0 -
Hi Kasi,
My friend is 37 and she was just diagnosed 3 weeks ago just 2 days after she gave birth to her 2nd baby with stage 4 breast cancer. We are in the chicagoland area.
GK15
0 -
hello everyone..... I just learned I had progression so I will be going back on Xeloda starting on Thursday. I was on Arimidex and doing Zoladex injection for a year before it stopped working.
0 -
gk15. I was diagnosed after my second child when she was 5 months old. Private message me if you need advice or have questions. I felt like there was no one else in my area who could relate but then I started reading this board.
0 -
My third child was 5 months and I was 37. He's three and I am turning 40 in April. We get it.
Sucks, but you're not alone.
0 -
My fourth child was 3 months old and I was 37 at my initial diagnosis. She was only 2 when I was diagnosed with mets. My 4 kids and I have lived with cancer for 3 years now. There are people out there who understand. Contact us if you need. Hugs
0 -
Yes, unfortunately there are way too many of us that understand. Leftfootforward- my youngest was close in age to yours at the diagnosis/recurrence. He was 7 weeks old at initial diagnosis and a few months shy of 2 when diagnosed with mets. My kids have been living with it for 2.5 years.
0 -
my youngest was 18 months, although I thought it was a blocked milk duct and had waited over six months, maybe a year, before going to doctor--dumb I know! So sorry for all the young mothers...there has to be something to this...I'm a little over a year out.
0 -
my baby was one year old. I did two ivf prior conceiving. . How many of us were on the pill, or had hormone manipulation, or are over. 30 after having there first child ? . Some interesting theory is the one from Dr Borges and Scheding of University of Colorado . They think pregnancy itself is a risk factor for breast cancer .
S
0 -
Thank you all for being a part of this site, for sharing, and for being welcoming.
I'm 37. I was diagnosed earlier this month after I found a lump that was suddenly surprisingly large. Initially they told me stage III, but a week later the bone scans & MRI came back with evidence of bone mets in my femur and T12. I'm waiting anxiously for the results of the CT scan later this week to tell me if I have any mets on internal organs.
I've considered myself to be a healthy person, vegetarian, yoga, was a runner until crippling pain in my hip this fall cut training short for a half-marathon. It never occurred to me that it could be cancer!
I knew that I had a strong family history on my mom's side, but it's not first gen -- my aunt, grandmother and great-aunt all had BC in their 30s or 40s -- so doctors were dismissive of my concerns, eventually making me less concerned than I should have been. Right up to the mammogram people kept telling me it was probably just an infection. I only found out after my diagnosis that my father's sister also had BC...families need to talk to each other more!
I'm a pretty positive person, but right now I'm totally overwhelmed, terrified even...it feels like a waking nightmare. I meet with my oncologist to start treatment at the beginning of January, and I'm sure I'll feel a little better once I have a plan of action. Just trying to enjoy time with my husband over the holidays...and hoping, wishing, praying that treatment works for me. I hope the same for all of you.
0 -
MsTee - Sorry that you are having to join us, but welcome at the same time! Being overwhelmed is completely normal in the beginning; just know that you have people here who have been where you are and can help as needed. Keeping you in my thoughts as you wait for those results!
0
