Yes its confirmed as cancer. Im.having mri scan wednesday. Sentinel lymph node op biopsy. Got to have chemo to shrink lump before can have surgery as its so big compared to size of my breast. Then radiotherapy then hormone treatment for 5yrs. then herceptin for a yr as have the gene which only 20% have that will recur etc. my treatment is other way round to others it seems! Or been offered masectomy but will need chemo & rad after. git to make choice by friday. im 32. So scared & confused.x
Hi there,
This is my first post on the forum, but have been reading posts on here since I was diagnosed in September 2012.
I, like you, was 32 at diagnosis and had never felt more confused or terrified. I began chemotherapy in November 2012 having undergone a successful round of IVF once I had been diagnosed. I completed 6 rounds of FEC-T chemotherapy, then went on to have a mastectomy, full lymph node clearance, followed by a course of radiotherapy, which I finished in June. I am now on Tamoxifen, due to being strongly ER positive.
What can I say… it has been a complete roller coaster of emotions. When you are at the beginning of treatment it feels so surreal - you know you have this mammoth challenge in front of you, but have no idea how you are going to get through it. Chemo scared the life out of me, but in all honesty, it was not as awful as I feared. Don’t get me wrong, there were days when I really had to grit my teeth and remind myself that I would feel better soon, but the 6 sessions flew by and before I knew it I was moving on to surgery.
I am now back at work, my hair is growing thick and fast and I’m slowly trying to adjust to the new me.
I couldn’t read your post without letting you know there are people out there that know just how you feel and have walked the path you are about to embark upon. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you need to talk or just want someone to listen to your fears.
Take care,
K x
Hi Helenstevo
It’s normal to feel scared and confused when you get diagnosed. I am 35 and I was diagnosed in mid September.I had a lumpectomy on the 25th of September. The tumour was grade 2, ER+ and PR+ and HER+ and the lymph nodes were clear. I will be having radiotherapy, hormone therapy for 5 years, herceptin and possibly chemo. I have an appointment with the oncologist to confirm the treatment plan.
The first time chemo was mentioned I cried. I was so devastated and in a total panic as I was worried this would fertility. I have had a long time to think about it and I have decided to go with the option that will give me the best chance of preventing a reoccurence.
Its is daunting at first but you just need to take it one day at a time. I found this forum very helpful because guaranteed you will be able to find someone who is going through or has been through a similar experience. I hope your operation goes well and you recover quickly so you can carry on with your treatment.
take care xxx
Dear Helen
I am sorry to read about your diagnosis, please feel free to call our helpliners to talk your concerns over with one of our team as they are on hand with practical and emotional support for you on 0808 800 6000, lines are open 9-5 weekdays and 10-2 Saturday
This link will take you to further information about diagnosis, treatments and support from BCC which I hope you will find helpful:
breastcancercare.org.uk/younger-women
Take care
Lucy BCC
Hi Helen I’m 32 too. I know that I have cancer but that’s all, I’m having my lump removed on the 6th November then they will discuss my treatment. I think it will involve radio and chemo as that’s what they said. Some people seem to know a lot more before they have had their op. X
Hi Tortiosegirl
You are also very welcome here and please see the link I have posted to helen below, it will take you to information and support aimed specifically at younger women, our helpliners are on hand for you too so do feel free to call to talk any concerns over
Take care
Lucy BCC
Hi helen
Firstly, big hug to you x
It’s a big tough decision. There’ll be no right or wrong answer, you really have to decide what feels more comfortable for you at this stage. You might change your mind 100 times before Friday or you might just go with how you feel on the day. Either option is going to get you on the road to recovery. Did you get put in touch with a breast care nurse? If you did, use her that’s what she’s there for…ring her and talk over the pros and cons. Ring the helpline too. By talking to people and getting advice from the forum you might be able to put things into perspective.
We’re all here for you and am sure people will answer any questions you have.
Just remember there’s no wrong answer, like picking between cheesecake or coffee and walnut cake, both are good options to fill you up…neither is a particularly bad choice and you’ll arrive at the same destination (sorry, it’s the great British bake off tonight…I’m going to be the size and shape of my sofa before too long!)
Send in you lots of love and hugs xxx
Helen…
you have had some really helpful replies… i’m not sure that I can offer anything helpful at all as early stages of diagnosis my self and starting to understand the different grades and types.
But I am thinking of you… and sending a big hug…
I can only suggest to use your resourses, breast care nurse and helpline here, gather all the information and be in control of the decision that you make xxx
Hi Bella1977,
I was just the same - always worrying about everyone else and how they’d react to things. I don’t have children myself (we were about to start trying when I was diagnosed) but the children in my life all reacted amazingly to my hair loss - none of them were scared, which I’d feared they might be, they were all quite fascinated!
I wore wigs to begin with, but moved onto wearing hats a lot of the time as found them more comfortable. I was lucky it was winter when I was going through treatment so never looked out of place with a warm hat on in the street 
As I said in my previous post, chemo was nowhere near as bad as I’d been expecting - it’s not easy, but I think the fear of it is far worse than the reality. Of a 3 week cycle, I would say I felt ropey for a maximum of 7-8 days - then each day would get better.
Like I said, any questions you have, please feel free to ask or message me.
Take care,
K xx
My best friend had ovarian cancer last year (better now) she was concerned about how my then 4 year old son would react about her hair loss. I told him before we saw her about the magic medicine and how it had made her hair fall out but it would grow back. When we got to Weston Park he saw her spent about 20 seconds just looking at her and the. Asked her if she wanted to play on his ds and never mentioned it again.
The thing is children are very expecting so tell them your having a medicine tell them you’ll be ok. We’ve read mummy’s lump. It’s nice and positive . X
Thank yoy for all your encouraging and informative comments! Youve all been so helpful. one question…has anyone used the coldcap? What is it, hows it used; is it realky bad & how & does it work? Someone mentioned it but said it was awful. mri scan for me today. not sure what irs for…looking for further cancer in breasts i think. not sure why they dont look at whole body on it as im desperate to know if its spread to other organs etc but dont think ill know that until after my sentinel node biopsy operation? X