Topic: Ladies in their 30s

Aug 23, 2010 08:01AM Twinmom77 wrote:

Hi!  33 here, 32 when diagnosed.  At the time my twins were 3 and I had a husband that checked out (he thought, and still thinks, that I use cancer as an excuse to not do anything! We're separated now).  Fortunately, my family stepped up and helped out so much so I could focus on getting well, but yes, there were lots of times when it was hard to get up off the couch and take my boys to the park or make them an actual, real dinner instead of letting them snack on whatever they wanted all day!

Once rads are done and you just have Herceptin, it's a breeze!  And the Herceptin goes much quicker than you can imagine.  Just finished mine up at the end of July and it's so good to finally be done!  It's nice you can finally get a break with school going back in.  How old are your kids?

Aug 23, 2010 09:28AM tougherthanithought wrote:

Hi!  I was 38 when diagnosed and my kids were 5 & 7.  It was really hard not to be able to do everything that I normally did as a busy Mom.  But I had a lot of help from my parents, in-laws, and friends. 

krobbins- I know what you mean about the looks of pity from the elderly patients at the oncologist's office.  I was usually the youngest one in there by decades.  Now that I look healthy (hair is back, although pretty short), I tell myself that the looks are of envy because I look so good! LOL

I have one more Herceptin left (next week) so I'll be happy to be hitting another milestone. 

I hadn't really checked this site for quite some time, as I was busy trying to get on with life, but I found myself back here the last several weeks.   On Friday, I had a chest CT scan, because of an area above my implant I was concerned about.  I hopefully will find out today that it's nothing. 

It still amazes me how many young women are diagnosed.

Sherrill 

Aug 23, 2010 11:23AM jsw19 wrote:

I am 32 and was diagnosed a few months ago.  I am married but do not have kids yet, we were married almost 2 years ago and were hoping to start a family in the next year or so.  Of course that is all on hold and I am worried that I may never be able to get pregnant.  I am taking Lupron injections to try to protect my ovaries during chemo.  This week I am starting chemo - AC x4 then Abraxane x4, I had a severe allergic reaction to Taxotere so I cannot do TCH even though I am HER2+. 

I am also ER+/PR+ so my onc wants me to do at least 2 years of Tamoxifen before stopping to try to get pregnant.  I turn 33 in a couple of months so I will be at least 35 before I can try to get pregnant.  And of course I worry that getting pregnant may end up triggering a recurrence.  At this point I am just trying to focus on getting through chemo, then rads.  But it is hard not to be upset that this disease may be taking away my chance to get pregnant. 

Aug 23, 2010 01:28PM Lady_Madonna wrote:

Hi everyone!  Wow, I wanted to connect with others but I'm so sorry to see so many of us here!  This disease blows!  

Twinmom, kudos to you for doing it on your own, that's sooo hard!  But you certainly don't need deadbeat dad/hubby in the picture.  

Sherrill, (tougherthanithought...great name!),  Let us know what you find out about your scan.  Isn't waiting for results the worst?!  I had my echo last week and I've been feeling so short of breath and dizzy.  Maybe I'm just dehydrated, but of course I'm paranoid.  Today when I go in for Herceptin I'll find out if there's anything to worry about.  Congrats on being at the finish line!!  You and Twinmom are so lucky to have family around to help you, I miss my family very much- they're all up in the northwest and I'm down here in Vegas.

krobbins, I understand all too well the looks of pity.  It's wonderful that things have settled down for you.  

SunDiego,  How difficult to go from a stage I to stage IV so quickly. You're giving your wife a gift by supporting her in this way. You both must be so overwhelmed.  This is a great place to be!  We're here for you! 

jsw, I'm so sorry you're in this position.  On one hand you can fight with all your energy, but it must be awful to wonder if you'll ever be able to have a family.  Damn cancer.  My husband is an ob/gyn and I do know there are women who have successful pregnancies after chemo.  I really don't want my ovaries to fire back up since I've had my two beautiful boys but he told me that they could at any time, with premenopausal women they often do.  

In_cognito, What an awful time to be diagnosed (not that there's a good time!)  Sometimes it is easier to be busy through all this crap.  But with a baby- Wow!  That's pretty tough.  We women really have an amazing amount of strength!  

I'm so pleased to meet everyone, in spite of the circumstances.  The friendship and support I've found here are just amazing.  Let's keep in touch.

Have a wonderful week,

~Melanie

Aug 23, 2010 02:07PM yellow78 wrote:

Hi,

I am 31 with two little ones (5 and 3) year old.  My husband and family have been very helpful through this.  Chemo has not been easy for me but with a great support system it helps.  I feel quilty with I can't play with my kids or do as much as I used to but I have to think that hopefuly this time next year will be different.  Nice to meet everyone!  Jenn

Aug 23, 2010 02:48PM Latte wrote:

Hi Everyone,

I was 39 when diagnosed (but turned 40 2 weeks ago  - hope i can still stay on this thread...). I am a single parent to a 2 year old, with no family where I live. It's been rough going, with a lot of paid babysitting help. But my Dad arrived last week and he's staying for 3 months, while I finish neoadj AC and Taxol. So it's going better now. After he leaves I have to work out how I will get through surgery and rads with my daughter...

I have noticed that my daughter is much more clingy, and stubborn, but it's hard to tell how much of it is because "Mummy doesn't feel well" and how much is just standard two-year old behavior. and it tears my heart out when she tells me that she is very sad, and when i ask her why, she says "mummy, mummy" :-(

For those of you who are struggling, where i live there are organizations that help children with cancer (special activities, counselling, etc.) - I was surprised to find out that they also help healthy children whose mothers have cancer. Things are pretty quiet here in August, but I am going to start using their services in September. Maybe there are similar things in your areas that can help?

Aug 23, 2010 06:07PM in_cognito wrote:

Aug 24, 2010 02:34AM Lady_Madonna wrote:

Hi mightymon!  We're all warriors here!  Glad you've got a good support team, that makes such a difference while you're going through chemo. 

Quick change of subject..., has anyone used Latisse for lashes?  Mine are really pathetic and I think I might want to try it!  It's been two months since chemo, I think it might be okay now?!  I'm still in rads tho...

Aug 24, 2010 09:42AM Summer38 wrote:

LadyM - you're nauseous on rads? I have my last chemo tomorrow then I'll have a few weeks off before I start rads but I really was hoping to not have those type of SE's with rads... I'm curious about the Latisse also - my lashes are pathetic! I can't wear mascara because it "highlights" the gaping holes LOL.

Mightymon - Hope you are healing well. A good support system makes a world of difference!

Angi - Looks like you have a busy month coming up!

So glad to have another group to connect with here on BCO!

Aug 24, 2010 09:51PM tougherthanithought wrote:

Hi Everyone!

I posted the other day that I was having a chest CT scan because of an area I was concerned with, and I found out yesterday that all looked OK.  Yes, I'm relieved that nothing obvious showed up on the scan.  But I did speak to my Dr. briefly today, and I told him that I do feel something there.  He said we could look into it further when I see him a week from Thursday and possible do more testing.  Do you think he means an ultrasound?  Would something show up easier with an ultrasound vs. the chest CT scan?

Lady M (Hi!) - I haven't tried Latisse, but I do have Revitalash, which is suppossed to be similar.  You don't need a perscription, and I think a lot of places carry it.  I've used it a little bit, but I end up stopping, because I keep losing my lashes  Not entirely, but every few months they they really thin out (I finished chemo on October 09 and hair started growing back in December)  My Dr. said this may happen a few , times, so I guess I'm waiting until my lashes are here to stay before I diligently appply the Revitalash. 

It's so nice to connect with all of you!

Sherrill

PS:  One more Herceptin for me next week, then I can get this annoying port taken out!! Horray

Aug 24, 2010 11:17PM in_cognito wrote:

tougherthanithought - The CT is more definitive at ruling out possible malignancies than an ultrasound would be.  Some Oncs will order a PET scan to rule out anything weird from a CT - just depends on how much more radiation you want to be exposed to (and PET scans usually can only pick up malignancies if they are at least 1 cm).  When you say you had a chest CT - did you have lung problems that warranted the CT?  Or are you talking about a lump on your chest?  If so - the ultrasound could show another detailed view - but the CT is more definitive.  The Onc could also order an MRI as another view.  The only way to know anything for sure is by biopsy of course. 

Jamieh - Nice to "meet" you.  It's nice to hear the perspective of someone a few years out.  I wonder all the time what my new normal will be like. 

Aug 24, 2010 11:49PM Kate0574 wrote:

Hello Ladies.... I finally found a 30's forum... pretty sad I have been coming here since 2007.  I was diagnosed 3/07, I did mastectomy and 8 rounds of chemo but didnt need rads.... three and a half years out and I am doing good, I have been on tamox for three years now only two left... weeeehaaaaa!!!!! 

GL to all of you lovely ladies..... you will all do fabulous.... take care all and let me know if you have any question... I have been there and been through it all!! SO GLAD I FOUND THIS FORUM... OH AND LADY M I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO VEGAS AND I LOVE IN CALI.... I WANT TO COME THERE SOOO BAD... SOMEDAY!! LOL

Aug 25, 2010 01:41AM Lady_Madonna wrote:

Jamieh, Boy do I know what you mean about trying to trust your body and the new normal, I'm already discovering those issues.  You can have the most loving DH in the world, and the most supportive friends, but they just can't understand the way your bc friends understand! 

I'm also amazed at the level of knowledge you beautiful, brilliant ladies have acquired!!  We are truly a force to be reconned with when it comes to this fight, aren't we?!  

Thanks in_cognito, you too!  I see ALL these beauties here and I just want to reassure those who are just starting chemo that it'll be okay, you can come through this looking relatively normal (with a little smoke and mirrors!  )

Have a great night all!

Aug 25, 2010 01:56AM cheers247 wrote:

Hello all, it's been a while since I've checked in on BC.O.  I hope everyone is doing as well as possible.  I am a single mother of 1 son.  I have been on medical leave from work since my diagnosis, I'm hoping to be released to return soon.  Chemo brain and periferal neuropathy are my big obsticles at this point.  Much love!  Jessica

www.caringbridge.org/visit/jessicam

Aug 25, 2010 05:10AM alison34 wrote:

hi all

i was diagnosed at 34 in Jan 2010 -  I have 2 children 5 and 10

had left mastectomy, chemo, rads, Tamoxifen

NICE TO MEET AND READ EVERYONES POSTS

good luck to all going into chemo or rads

its been a long year for me but i am finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel yeaaaaaaa