27 and diagnosed with Invasive ductal breast cancer

Hi Everyone,

 

I’m new here. I was diagnosed on Monday with Invasive ductal breast cancer grade 3 (meaning it’s fast growing). I found a lump in my breast about 4 weeks ago and I wasn’t too worried as the doctor said it was probably something called a fibrodonomia which is really common in young women and benign. I collected my results on Monday and I was in complete shock to be told I had Cancer. It’s been a really tough week coming to terms with everything especially being so young. When they took the biopsy about 2 weeks ago they also took one from a lymph gland which they said was clear, so I am hopeful I have caught this early and the doctors have pointed me in that direction. I am yet to have an MRI scan, but I met with the Oncologist on friday and they have already told me my treatment plan and said it won’t change regardless of the MRI scan. I will be starting chemo within 2 weeks to firstly shrink the lump, then having surgery to remove the lump and then finsihing with Radiotherapy.

         None of it really seems real at the moment and I don’t know anyone my age who is going through this. I have felt so many emotions this past week and I feel completly emotionally drained. I wrote a list of questions for my oncologist and looking down at the page I couldn’t believe the questions I was having to ask. I am trying to stay positive and I know I can fight this it’s just such a scary time and I really feel like I need to talk and connect with people going through the same thing. 

 

Sarah xxx

 

 

Oh Sarah sorry you have had to join the club. Another under 50 I am starting to think the statistics are wrong. I am 45 today. I was diagnosed with a stage 3 IDC on the 1st Feb. I have my lumpectomy tomorrow removal of senital nodes. You will go through a roller coaster of emotions and they are all normal having been told you have Breast cancer. It is sureal at times as life and everything and everyone around goes on around you. You are having treatment first then the surgery. It appears different areas do things differently. I will be thinking of you and you find great support on here. Love Lou x

Oh Sarah, sorry you find yourself here, but hopefully you’ll find the help and support you need amongst us. I’m sure others will be along to help and direct you to different threads but the one I recommend you check out is on the Going through Treatment section - Chemotherapy Monthly threads. There is a new March starters thread, but also check out the Feb starters and Jan starters. Ask as many questions as you like!!
I’m sure there a section for those of you diagnosed at a young age to. I’ll try and find it and let you know. But I’m quite sure someone else will direct you if I can’t - this really is the best place to be!
Our main piece of advice is, if you have any worries or questions avoid Google!!! Ask here or ring the helpline on here (I’ve heard they are fantastic).
Sending you loads of love, Kim xxx

Ah, I see Seren has found it for you!
Have just found this link too;
m.facebook.com/YoungerBreastCancerNetwork?ref=bookmarks
Kim xxx

Thank you CJRD x

Hi Sarahlee - So sorry your another member of this most amazing club and best thing to come out of having Breast Cancer, none of us want to be here, all of us felt exactly as you do, all of us were as shocked and as adrift as you feel now, this forum is the best place to ask questions and to get advice an infomation, PLEASE please don’t Google, its useles and scares the whits outta yourself, use this forum and get infomation from real ladies who are sadly in the same place as you, ask away someone on heres had it done it or knows about it. They are not messing about with your treatment plan are they??? A lot of ladies on here play an horrific waiting game, that messes with their heads and leaves their imagation to riot,. you are So very very young 27, christ. I will tell you a story of a lady, who is not on this forum but is the wife of someone I work with. She continually went to her doctors with breast lump, anyway she eventually insisted on biospsy having been fobbed off for a month, she was told by the radiologist doing the biopsy who told her she had been doing the job for 20 years, that there was nothing in her opinion wrong, her and her husband went back the following week to confidently get her results, except when they walked in there were 3 specialists in the room, he said to me, we thought at that point, Arh, she was 28 weeks pregnant Sarahlee, she had grade 3 too, they had to return that afternoon with the maternity team present, whereby they argued the two departments oncology wanting her to start treatment, obviously the hormones were making it grow faster, the maternity team arguing the baby would have a better chance of survival if they could give it 30 weeks, the parents were left to make the decision, both decided to give the baby the 2 weeks which would make all the difference, anyway their little girl was born by section and weighed 2.5lbs, they called her Grace, 1 week later mum started chemo, by the time surgery was decided the chemo had shrunk the lump and instead of a mastectomy which they had previously advised she could have a lumpectomy, anyway she was having none of it and had a double mastectomy with implant reconstruction at same time, by then her daughter was 5 months old. Now, some 4 years later, now she is a STUNNING figure to envy, turn mens heads, she has since had a little boy, she met me the other day as she had heard through her husband that I’m also having double mastecomy with immeadiate reconstruction, and she wanted to ressure me IT DOES COME GOOD, I watched her arrive and the heads turn to admire her, she wasnt aware, she is more your age than mine, Ive a daughter your age and another older, but she came through that, she is now clear and has been for 4 years. And that Sarahlee is an absolutely TRUE story, so as we say on here, one day at a time, DONT GOOGLE, and your not alone, everyone here will talk to you. Another bit of advice, there is a phone line on here, they have wonderful people who will speak with you, if you ask them for “THE SOMEONE LIKE ME SERVICE”, they will buddy you up with someone who has had what youve got but is through it and clear, they will ring you at home and they keep in touch, I’m not sure if your gonna get your age but all sorts of people volounteer to help,

Sending a HUG

Love BlossomHill XX 

Thank you Seren x

Thanks Blossom I blooming hope so. I hope I will be enjoting a large glass of Pinto. Funny just thought when I was a University I could buy a pint of wine and soda for £1.10 those where the days. X

WOW Ladies thank-you so much for the overwhelming support. I allready feel so much better connecting with others going through the same thing and it’s a big relief to not feel alone. I have an amazing support network of friends and family that have been fantastic but I have a feeling this support network of lovely ladies like all of you is going to really help me: ) I guess things have moved pretty quickly so far i’m just still anxious that as mine is fast growing it will get worse before I start my chemo in 2 weeks time, but I guess that’s me being too in my head about everything, it’s hard to get out of that place in your head and just take a moment to breathe and relax.

 

Sarah x

Hi Sarah, not as young as you, I’m 42, but my cancer was also grade 3, I panicked at that but my surgeon said it just means the cells that are there look more abnormal, it’s not necessarily fast growing, they’ve just changed more than grade 2. Mine was stage 2, I had it removed last month, it was only 18mm so my chemo is after to prevent any recurrence. I would reiterate not using Google, ask on here or ring your nurse or the helpline. Don’t struggle alone, we all know how it feels, love Sarah xx

Hi Sarah. I think we are pretty much in the same shoes. I am 28. Been diagnosed with grade 3 invasive ductal carcinoma end of Dec. If you want to talk just text me on facebook I have started my chemo already. My name is Brigitta Verdes. I have a pink ribbon as cover photo. Feel free to contact me. Xxx

Hi Sarah

 

The fear of not knowing what to expect is often worse than the reality. I’m approximately two years post treatment and I was diagnosed with invasive ductal cancer too. I felt squeamish and a bit panicky because I was told that as well as having the lump and lymph glands removed my nipple would have to be cut, peeled back and sewn back on during my operation. Well the op wasn’t as bad as I expected, I recovered quickly and I also had chemo and radiotherapy. My nipple didn’t even feel sore after my operation, I was amazed because it doesn’t look any different and there has been no loss of feeling in it. My breast looks a little bit of an irregular shape in one place now but that is a small price to pay to be rid of cancer. The cancer hasn’t come back by the way and I am doing everything I did before. I feel really well now, I’m certainly not tired all the time like I was just before my diagnosis, I do an hour of exercise every day and I haven’t developed lymphoedema either.

That’s great to hear, one day I hope to be two years down the line getting on with life too, it seems a long way off though ?

Yes, great to hear your story Flora. Thanks for sharing. It’s cheered me up this evening.

 

Ruth xx

Sarah sorry you have joined this not so exclusive  club, I am 48 so a tad more mature than you :),  just to reiterate all the good advice you havel had especially  about avoiding  Mr Google,  sending hugs x

Sarah I was diagnosed yesterday… Wasn’t told the grade just that it was in my left breast and the biopsy from the nodes was positive too. I felt sick instantly but then calm came over me. I have to go back Thursday for a further biopsy, then another appointment for a cat scan and then hopefully start the chemo soon. It’s a bit of a shock, I’m 40 and have a 4 year old. I’m a single parent too but got loads of support from family and friends and my girls daddy. Apart from being awake at silly O’clock I feel ok. Still in shock I guess. Would be great to chat as we have both been diagnosed around the same time. You take care and keep smiling. Xxxxx 

Hi Emmajane, I’m Sarah. I’m 42, so similar age to you, I also have a daughter she’s 13. I was diagnosed 14 Jan, had WLE ( so joining in the nipple stories I no longer have one on the right!) my grade 3 18mm cancer was in the nipple. This forum is wonderful, I’ve had, like everyone days where I’ve felt so desperately scared its paralysing. I’m furious that my normal life has been taken away, I’m a teacher and been told can’t teach through chemo due to risk of infection. I’m going back next week for 4 weeks part time until chemo starts after Easter. I had a second surgery 9th Feb to remove lymph nodes as 2 had traces, luckily the further 21 removed were clear, but it’s chemo and radio to follow then 10 years of tamoxifen, great! Try to be kind to yourself, do what feels right, I’m most desperate for normality so hope that going back to work even just a few hours will help with that. Keep in touch, we are all here to support each other as we truly do understand the range of emotions felt. Big hugs, love Sarah xx

Hi Ali and Lizzy thank you the someone like me service sounds like a great idea. I’m home alone tomorrow morning so will ring the helpline number then, there’s a number of things I would like to talk about. Thanks, this forum really is amazing xx

Thanks Sarah ???yes I’m worried about the infection thing too I teach year 1… Will c what they say and of course follow advice xxxxx does infection stop the chemo working or just make u more ill?? Ur so brave keep fighting xxxxxx

I agree Pam , I know it’s lovely to have some normality but I work with very young children and was told by my oncologist under no circumstances should I work. However I do understand that this can put great financial strain on some families but there is help available. The breast care nurses can advise xxxx

Lesley xx