I am 38 years old and live in Braintree, Essex.I have been diagnosed with BC and am awaiting the results as to what type of cancer I have, I find out my results on 4 January 2010 and the last week has been one of the longest.
I have no children, but found myself having to tell my family a few days before Christmas, which was one of the worst things I have ever had to do it is awful seeing your mum break down in front of you and I find myself trying to be strong for my husband too. There is no history of BC in my family and I just keep thinking about what I have done to find myself in this position - I made the mistake of looking on the internet.
You all seem a friendly bunch and it is a good way of sharing with other people that are going through the same thing.
Hi traceyrainbow, Welcome to this forum. I am sorry that you have had all this on your plate over the festive season. I was 39 when I was originally diagnosed yet I still remember the fear, anger and upset that the diagnosis brought to my family. I am sure you will get lost of support from this site. It wasn’t around when I was first diagnosed. It is now 20 years since that first diagnosis and now there are many more drugs and treatments available. So I know this is hard for you but hang in there. When you know what you are dealing with and your treatment is explained you will probably find you are more more able to deal with the months/weeks ahead. Much love being sent your way.
Hello Traceyrainbow, I am so sorry that you find yourself on here - I was 38 when I was first diagnosed and it is such a shocking thing to happen, isn’t it? I just couldn’t understand how it could happen to me.
Like you, I have no history of bc in my family, but it meant that all of my sisters (I have 3) had to get checked out.
The first thing my consultant advised me was to always remember that my cancer was not the same as other people’s and that I shouldn’t listen to horror stories (this was 1997 and internet wasn’t on the scene)from other people. That has stuck with me since and I can tell you I haven’t met anyone with the same scenario as me.
You will ‘meet’ people on here, like myself, who have gone on to develop further problems (I had a recurrence this year after 12 good, healthy years)but our story isn’t yours, so please don’t let that upset you. Plenty of people have one episode and thats it. The internet is great for info but can be terrifying, but all the statistics in the world won’t change your experience of cancer.
I hope your test results are the best possible outcome. Once you have them and a plan for treatment, things start to have a focus and it is a bit easier to start moving on from this stage.
I will be thinking of you, please let me know how you get on, but in the meantime, there are lots of us here, happy to listen and try to answer any questions you have.
take good care
monica xx
Hi Traceyrainbow,
You have come to right place for lots of support. We all know exactly how you feel though I’m sorry you had this over Christmas. Know exactly what you mean about your mum.
I’m a bit older than you at 51 with no history in the family. I also made the same mistake looking on the internet and scaring myself silly. This is the best place for information and support from other ladies/gents in the same position.
I was diagnosed in May and am not quite finished with my treatments.
The waiting is the worst but as scottishlass said, when you get your results you will then know more about your treatment which you may or may not need.
Let us know how you get on,
Love Jane xx
Hiya, sorry you have had to join us, the ladies on here are lovely and have helped me enormously since I was diagnosed on 8th Dec this year. I am 29 and BC hadn’t really even crossed my mind, but thought I would get that lump checked anyway and very glad I did!!
Good luck with the 4th Jan and let us know how it goes.
Welcome TraceyRainbow (What a pretty name!) Waiting around is very very hard, like you my next appointment is jan 6th and hope to get an action plan then. Im looking forward to having a schedule for the year so that i can start to plan a few nice things to look forward to - there will be good days too, despite whatever treatments you need. Im kind of thinking, yeah okay, 2010 will mostly be cr*p but by 2011 things will be getting better… We won’t exactly look back and laugh but… keep with us and all the best!
Hi TraceyRainbow. I just wanted to add a quicky to what others have already said. Please just take some time to get your head round all this. It is a very scary time, but I promise you that once you have a treatment plan in place (which may not necessrily involve chemo) you do feel a little bit more in control.
I was diagnosed at the end of May aged 38 with a nine month old son and I remember just being in pure and utter shock for the first few weeks. I had a lumpectomy to remove the tumour and then a week later I have eight lymph nodes removed. I didn’t have to have chemo, but had four weeks of radiotherapy and am now on a drug called Tamoxifen because the type of cancer I had was receptive to the hormone oestrogen.
I am now back at work, and have just come in from a night out with good friends celebrating my 39th birthday.
So, hang in there, you will find a wealth of support, advice, help and friends on here to get you through this - and you can do it!
hi TraceyRainbow, i too am so sorry that you find yourself on this forum but you will find the support you need through this time. I am 41 and was diagnosed in May and like the others the waiting is the worst bit, you will find strength that you never knew you had once you find out what you are dealing with. Rest assured treatment has come on so much the side effects are not always as bad as you think. Telling family is the worst, telling my mum (she buried my dad 6 years ago of pancreatic cancer) was horrifying but she has been amazing, your mum too will find the strength, we all have to be strong for those around us, but on here we can get our needs meet in so many different ways. I had chemo and had no bad side effects, tablets they give you are marvellous now!! When i was given treatment plan it was overwhelming but make sure you talk through all fears etc to oncl and then come on here and we will reassure you to the best that we can. Be positive, mind and body play a big part at this time - you know where we are…we are here for you!! If you want to send a personal message feel free, xx
Karen xx
I am sorry to read of your recent diagnosis. As well as the support and you are receiving from your fellow forum users you may find the BCC resources pack useful. It has been designed for those newly diagnosed and is Filled with information to help you better understand your diagnosis, test results and the various treatments available. If you would like a pack just folow this link:-
Ditto to what has been said already. It does get easier once you have a treatment plan. I was diagnosed in Sept 2009, aged 42, with no family history. I’ve had the lump removed and the lymph nodes (it was in 1). I’m now on chemo and have been side effect free. I WON’T let this interfere with my life and am back at work. Telling family and friends is hard, but the support is invaluable. You will get through this!
In additrion to the support you have already received on this thread there is one called Essex girls where isn addition you may meet people who live near you. I have posted the link below.
sorry you have joined the club that no-body wants to join. I was dx in May aged 37, no history in family etc and was in complete shock when dx and in some ways I don’t think it has really sunk in yet! I had my last chemo on 16th Nov and just had surgery to remove my remaining lymph nodes on left side. Like you, telling family and friends was extremely difficult. The waiting is the worst and for me, when I knew the detail, I was very focused on getting on with the job in hand as it were. Just take it in bite sized pieces. This site is invaluable and has been great support for me througout my journey. There is lots of good advice on here…Happy to listen and answer any questions you may have and thinkin of you on 4th.
Jayney
x
Hi Traceyrainbow,
well I wish you hadn’t had this crap news but just wanted to say hi as I live in Chelmsford. There are a group of us who meet who are all treated at Broomfield. You may be pleased to know that it is a centre of excellence, they have a high survival rate and they spend a lot on their BC patients. So at least you can rest assured you will be well looked after at least.I hope you are being treated our way and do say hi or join us on the other thread if you would like to. Lots of luck for the 4th Jan.
Cyber hugs
Lily x
Hi there Traceyrainbow, welcome {i know its weird!} Im 40 and was diagnosed two weeks ago, i too don’t have children or a partner, but i have amazing family and friends… Very happy to be in touch, all the best and lets get through this together
