Take our poll: Caregivers, what do you find most difficult about caregiving?
Weigh in: What are the best and worst gifts for people with breast cancer?

Ladies in their 40s

1…1314161819…29

Comments

  • ndgrrl
    ndgrrl Member Posts: 645
    edited April 2015


    scvmom, What did your doctor put you on after your ovaries are out? I see my MO on Friday and he said he wanted to put me on an A1. I was on Tamoxifen for a yr and half. Hot flashes with it, and brain fog but kind of got used to it and never noticed until I been off it a week before surgery and a month after.

    I had my surgery( ovaries removed, tubes removed and many hernias fixed on my old incision line)  I was oked to return to work on April 6. I had to have the old fashioned open tummy surgery because of all those hernias and I guess my ovaries were buried in scar tissue so they said it would take awhile to get the inside to heal.  My right ovary was the size of a baseball and ruptured inside when she clamped it off. I am SOOO fortunate it was not cancer!! I saw my surgeon who did the hernia repair and the obgyn who did the ovary removal last week. They both recommended I have my ovaries out,. The surgeon said maybe taking out my ovaries was an overkill but because of their size, my family history and my CA125 test being elevated he still felt it was the best thing for me.

    I just wish they would tell me what to do now. The obgyn said to try some natural things- didn't say what except to incorporate soy in my diet. again what has soy? She also said I didn't have to see her again! I feel so lost!! 

     

     

  • jenwith4kids
    jenwith4kids Member Posts: 216
    edited April 2015

    ndgrll....your ob/gyn told you to incorporate soy INTO your diet?

    I had my ovaries out last September. I'm on Femara; I would assume you will be put on an aromotase inhibitor. That's your MO's call, not your Gyn's call.

  • songbird68
    songbird68 Member Posts: 127
    edited April 2015

    Hi Juneping, I had ooph feb 14. As the others have said, it's really doable with not much pain after.

    I am not sure what the se's are because I switched to an AI. I'm ok with it all now. It's taken nearly two years though!

    Edit:(just looked at the dates on my stats) I stayed on Tam for six months and didn't really notice any worse side effects of having ooph.

    Good luck with your treatment:)

    x x

  • scvmom65
    scvmom65 Member Posts: 16
    edited April 2015

    Hi Ndgrrl,


    Good luck at your appointment tomorrow. My doctor did not put me on anything but I know that is not what he normally does. I was so freaked out after having the Tamoxifen side effect that I told him I did not want to be put on another drug, so he made me a "deal" . Because I have low body fat ( I work at it, I have autoammuine hypo thyroid disease, watch everything that goes into my mouth and workout an hour 6 days a week) and he said fat makes estrogen, he agreed to test my hormone levels with every blood test. As long as my hormone levels stay bottomed out, he felt okay with my decision and they have. My onco says he might put me on something in the future depending on my bone density scan in July so bone health factors in too I guess. I hope you get the best treatment for YOU, good luck!

    Anna

  • juneping
    juneping Member Posts: 634
    edited April 2015

    scvmom - thanks for your post...though it's not directed to me. but i will ask my MO to do the same. i was always skinny so i don't know about the estrogen vs fat thing....

  • scvmom65
    scvmom65 Member Posts: 16
    edited April 2015

    Your welcome Juneping, and always feel free to pm me!

    Anna

  • ndgrrl
    ndgrrl Member Posts: 645
    edited April 2015


    Thanks Anna for the information. 

  • Emeraldmom1970
    Emeraldmom1970 Member Posts: 1
    edited June 2015


    Hello, just recently dx with Stage 1 bc.  at the age of 44.  Scheduled for my lumpectomy this coming Monday Jun 15...My BRCA was negative and I am hormone positive.. Seeing Radiation Oncologist tomorrow for an initial visit...so not looking forward to having surgery or the treatments 

  • MizMimi
    MizMimi Member Posts: 21
    edited June 2015

    Hi Emeraldmom! I'm 44 as well with DCIS. Good luck at your appointment tomorrow! I understand how you're not looking forward to surgery! I am not either! Ugh. This really sucks!

  • youngturknyc
    youngturknyc Member Posts: 115
    edited June 2015

    Emeraldmom and MizMimi,

    So sorry that you had to join us on these boards.

  • Tresjoli2
    Tresjoli2 Member Posts: 579
    edited June 2015

    hi ladies! Joining as I was diagnosed two weeks after my 40th birthday. Went for my baseline and BAM! Cancer.

    Anyone here on Lupron? I just started and I'm wondering if I will even get a period first month of treatment? My doc has not started me on tamox yet, I'm not sure why. I'm 95% ER+, 95%PR positive, and Her2+++ (FISH 4.8)

    I have a 3yo and an 8yo and married for 11 years

  • treelilac
    treelilac Member Posts: 138
    edited July 2015

    Hi Tresjoli and everyone:

    I took Tamoxifen before and felt I had become forgetful and "slow." That was the only thing that really bothered me so I stopped taking it after 3 years. Do you think it's a true SE or something else causing it? I'm thinking of getting ooph also because of the study. But I'm concerned about potential SE.

    I'm 46 and have 2 kids. :)

  • youngturknyc
    youngturknyc Member Posts: 115
    edited June 2015

    Tresjoli, treelilac,

    sorry you had to join us here.  I had an ooph, and it was the easiest surgery I had.  I was 41 when I had it (now 43).  Very few side effects; I had already gone into chemopause from chemo at the time.  My MO would not do Lupron, but I did not even ask her why because I knew the ooph was the right path for me.  I am BRCA negative although strong history of breast cancer in my family.

  • Mommato3
    Mommato3 Member Posts: 468
    edited June 2015

    I've never noticed this thread before. I was diagnosed last year at 41.

    I have had three Zoladex shots which are just like Lupron. My MO said the closer you are to your next period before getting your first shot, the greater chance you'll have of getting your period. I took Tamoxifen for four months with no problems. I've since switched to Arimidex. My only SE so far seems to be some stiffness in the morning or when I've been sitting. I have decided to have an ooph in September/Oct so I don't have to continue with these shots. The thought of getting one every 28 days for the next five yearsmakes me shudder!

  • youngturknyc
    youngturknyc Member Posts: 115
    edited June 2015

    Hi Mommato,

    I agree with you - I am very happy that I had the ooph!

  • Lj061197
    Lj061197 Member Posts: 9
    edited July 2015

    hi,

    I was diagnosed June 15th at age 47 I'll be 48 next week, I have my lumpectomy tomorrow follow by 5 week rad then 5 years tamoxifen.

  • Englishmummy
    Englishmummy Member Posts: 40
    edited July 2015

    Hello Everyone!

    I was diagnosed May 22, 1 month before my 41st birthday - no family history, no risk factors. I have 3 'littles'.. 8,10,12 that I homeschool. Been married for almost 19 years. Took my first Tamoxifen Sunday. Thanks for starting this thread...It's hard to know where you fit in!

    Good Luck tomorrow,LJ06

  • karabesque
    karabesque Member Posts: 37
    edited July 2015

    Hi,

    I just noticed this thread, too. I was diagnosed a month before my 42nd Bday last August. In the last almost a year (WOW), I have had a bi-lateral mastectomy, TEs placed, and I just finished 4 treatments of AC. I start Taxol on Friday. I am a single mother of 2 teenage daughters and this has, hands down, been the hardest time of my life. I have also experienced a break up and I find myself very lonely. I have a few friends that have had cancer, so its a nice support but I do have a hard time finding people that are as young as me that have gone through all of this.

  • thinkingpositive
    thinkingpositive Member Posts: 564
    edited September 2015

    has anyone had elevated ca125results due to ovarian cyst? First time in five years that ithascome back elevated. Number is 51. Normal is 35 and below. Just went for ultrasound this morning. It's been something that I've been following up on for many years and now that I decide to have it out finally this happens. Also just got my bone density back and I'm on the border of osteopenia and osteoporosis due to the hormonal drug. Really nervous and scared.

  • panthrah
    panthrah Member Posts: 140
    edited September 2015

    Good afternoon everyone...my roller coaster started at 38.. Ill be 40 this oct. have an over the top supportive husband and 2 cats. I think I missed the boat on having kids ( hubby has a 23 yr old...cant really talk him into going for round two) . and being I "just" have LCIS and the full high risk checklist... puts me in an awkward place within the some of forums of where I fit in.

  • youngturknyc
    youngturknyc Member Posts: 115
    edited September 2015

    Hello All,

    Dear newcomers - so sorry that you had to join us on these boards but I hope that you will find the support you need.

    ThinkingPositive - my MO does not do the CA125 so I do not have the information on that but I can tell you that the ovary removal was the easiest surgery I had, and I was up and about in 2 days. I also had already hit the chemopause, and so I did not have menopausal side effects. Only some light hot flashes. If you have any concerns about it, please let me know.

    panthrah - welcome and I hope that these boards will be helpful to you.

  • JerseyRenee01
    JerseyRenee01 Member Posts: 144
    edited November 2015

    Hi Ladies!!!

    Just saw this thread! I figured I bump it up! Well tomorrow is my 42nd birthday! So the gift I receive this year is breast cancer!

    It is so nice to connect on here & get the support!! No offense to my good friends in my life but they truly have no idea the emotions you go through.


    Just copied this from my post earlier to fill you all in:

    I will briefly summarize my situation. 1st Mammo {3D} phone call next day saw microcalcifications. Stereotactic biopsy done Oct 16. DX DCIS Oct 21.

    In the months time. I saw Oncologist, ehh very text book didnt really care for. Saw Genetic Counselor, did the basic 7 gene test. Still awaiting results. Saw BS & PS on Oct. 29. MRI was done Nov 5. I told them I wanted to wait til after holidays for surgery. Oncologist & BS seemed rather pushy & waiting til Jan was too long. PS & Nurse Nav were ok with it. Last I heard from anyone was with Nurse Nav where she told me to advocate for myself in my choice to wait til Jan since I only have DCIS. She said would compose email to team advising them.

    So here it is Nov 19, I haven't heard from anybody! Not even on my MRI. I left message yesterday with nurse nav to call me about MRI & no call yet. Is the silence because I want to wait? The no call on MRI mean it fine? Do I show up & demand a copy?

    The communication is disappointing.

    Shall I seek 2nd opinion at perhaps Penn? I am 20 min from Phila. Currently going through MD Anderson Cooper. PS is Jefferson.

  • truffles1968
    truffles1968 Member Posts: 6
    edited November 2015

    Thank you for starting this thread. I am 47, with triplet 8 year olds and a 10 year old, married for 22 years. Found out I had bc in October after getting a baseline digital mammogram after 7 clear regular ones. Switched from local hospital to Johns Hopkins so waiting almost 2 months from dx for BMX. Having surgery 250 miles away from home in December is stressing me out- trying to get house ready for holidays and presents bought and wrapped now. I have never been away from my kids for more than weekend so this is going to be tough- I will be in Baltimore for about 3 weeks.

  • JerseyRenee01
    JerseyRenee01 Member Posts: 144
    edited November 2015

    Hi Truffles196:

    Wow you have a full house! I am so sorry you are going through this as well especially at the holidays! 😞

    I will be thinking of you!

    How did you know what Doctors at Hopkins?

    I just made decision I will go for 2nd opinion at Penn. it cant hurt!!

  • Tresjoli2
    Tresjoli2 Member Posts: 579
    edited December 2015

    jersey did you have your second opinion yet?

  • JerseyRenee01
    JerseyRenee01 Member Posts: 144
    edited December 2015

    Tresjoli2:

    Yes I did & I now chose Penn. I go Tuesday breast ultrasound & see Penn surgeon after discuss surgery.

    Thank you for asking.

    Merry Christmas!!!!! 🎄🎁

  • heidi s
    heidi s Member Posts: 398
    edited December 2015
    1. Hi everyone! I'm 48 years young, so I barely squeak into this thread.:). I was diagnosed last May with DCIS, with a possible borderline micro invasion in my right breast, opted for a BMX (June, no recon), because of strong family history. Well,I'm glad I did, because a 1.5 cm tumor (IDC) was found in path. Had a second surgery to clear the margins, and a third to make my prophylactic side as flat as the affected side. I've been on tamoxifen since Early July, and I find that I'm very anxious. There are definitely outside contributors to this, but I wonder if the lack of estrogen, I.e. Hormone imbalance is the cause?? I asked my MO about this and he thinks it's unlikely, but I wonder.
  • jenwith4kids
    jenwith4kids Member Posts: 216
    edited December 2015

    Hi hsant. I think anxiety is totally normal at this point regardless of what is causing it. Did your doc give you something to take? Life is too short to give in to anxiety! :)


  • rleepac
    rleepac Member Posts: 193
    edited December 2015

    Hi all. I just found this thread but I'm not new to BCO.

    I was diagnosed 3 weeks before my 43rd b-day in Jan 2015. I felt a lump in my armpit a few mo the earlier but I waited until my sisters wedding was done before I sought care - just too much going on. So, Dec 2014 I had a mammo, 3-D mammo and ultrasound but NONE of those found the lump! I insisted on a biopsy and sure enough I had a 2.1 cm IDC with a micromet in one node.

    Fast forward a year and I've had 5 months of chemo AC-T with Herceptin and Perjeta and BMX with implants. Still doing Herceptin every 3 weeks through March 2016. Started Tamoxifen about 3 weeks ago and I hate it. It makes my spine and hips hurt something fierce but I am giving it some time before it call it quits. Haven't had a period since before chemo and I'm ok with that.

    I have a wonderful and supportive DH and a 14-yr-old DD who is a pretty typical teenager except my DH homeschools her. I am a PA and I'm currently working only 3 days a week due to persistent fatigue.

    I'm trying really hard to get back to 'normal' now that the majority of my active treatment is done but my body is not back to normal yet and I know it will take a while. I constantly worry about recurrence or mets but I know that will get better with time.

    That's me in a nutshell. I've read through all the posts on this thread and it's nice to 'meet' you all. Hope your holidays are shaping up nicely!

    Bekah

  • jenwith4kids
    jenwith4kids Member Posts: 216
    edited December 2015

    Hi Bekah, nice to "meet" you. I was dx'd in January 2014 so I am a year ahead of you. I had rads, bt was her2- so no herceptin. Give yourself some time, most days I'm totally fine, then I will have a whopper of a day or two, then I'm ok again. The social worker at my cancer center said it can take 18-24 months to feel normal again. And as my husband always says, it's a new normal. He's right, nothing is the same..but it's not bad either....

    Happy New Year! Another one behind us!


Categories

Join Us on Zoom: Upcoming virtual meetups. Read more...
Give your account some personality! Add a profile photo.