Hi All,
I’m 24 and am currently having treatment… will finish radio on xmas eve, hurrayyyy!
I thought I’d start a thread for the younger ladies on the forum because the younger forum covers a lot of ages and thought that the younger lot might appreciate our own thread!
Its so weird having breast cancer… never mind when you’re in yout 20s and think it will never happen!
Erin xxx
hi erinG
good idea your totally right its crazy at such a young age wow 24 it just gets younger its sickning really good news you finish your treatment xmas eve hurray to you must be so relieved.
Im 26, 5 weeks post op, from mx and LD reconstruction had high grade dcis luckly no invasion or lymph nodes but still feel like ive been through a wild journey and to say i am very traumatised to be honest, and fet really alone with my age as my friends would always say my nan ,my aunt,my mum ,has had bc but never any body so young, so i felt what they were telling me about there relative etc was not relevent to me selfish mybe but thats how i feel.
Never in a million years did i think A- it would happen to me. B- at my age never just goes to show never say never lol
I am now waiting to hear back now fom the results to see if estogen positive to see if need tamoxfin so thats my next step touch wood wounds healing how they should.
any way ive been talking far to long on here starting to waffle lol
take care xxxx
All year I’ve felt like I’ve been surrounded by retired people, mainly because I haven’t been working (all my work mates are in their 20s or early 30s. I’m on of the older ones at 33) The village I live in has a lot of retired people (Lake District) so I found myself thinking like a 70 year old. I even got invited to join the Womens Club!
Arghh.
I’ve done chemo which made me all fragile and achy, then rads that made me knackered but that’s all done now, I’m back at work and out clamberring over the fells again (or sliding down them like today 
I never thought it would be cancer either as there’s no known history in my family and yet it turns out I have the BRCA gene so it was actually pretty destined to happen after all…
What a year, I’m looking forward to the next one (even though it means starting tamoxifen and have the ovaries removed).
Angie
Hi Erin, am I too old (at 36) to drop in on your younger, younger womans thread once in a while???
I still feel really young etc, but have been married for quite a while and have 2 kids, and I do appreciate I must sound old compared to 24. LOL
Ness1.xx
I’m 29 and have often felt like a freak in the waiting room. The other women always seem to think ive come to support my mum (it really upsets her that its the other way round)
've hadmx and ld recon and am struggling with the results. Do any of you feel like you’ve really aged during all this? I look at other 20 somethings and feel alien to them. I cant believe how much i took my beautiful nubile body for granted. Now its all scarred and wrong looking i want to run up to other girls moaning about their tiny imperfections and tell them how lucky they are which is something my gran always said to me!!
Lou xx
Hi All,
Firstly Ness of course you can!
Faith, I know what you mean… that’s why I joined this website because its always someone knows someone else and they are usually older and in a completely different stage of life… so this forum has been a complete god send! And its not selfish, its hard for friends to really understand and I felt the same that someone who was a lot older who not be really that relevant to how I’d feel. I’m assuming that you’ll be having chemo, rads and maybe tamoxifen and/or herceptin depending the results from what they removed. I started taking Tamoxifen a few weeks ago and so far (touch wood) I’ve been fine, no side effects really and I’ll be starting Herceptin soon. How have your friends and family been?
Angie, I know what you mean… I joked to everyone that I’m like a retired person because all my friends work so I’m left to my own devices and especially during chemo when I was really tired and all I did was knit and do cross stitch… if nothing else I’ve learnt some new skills! How did you fall over?
Louise, I get the “looks”… and it is frustrating but its just part and parcel I suppose. I know about the body stuff… I put weight on through my chemo and now I think to before when I had a lovely figure and used to hate it and think I was fat, etc etc… at least I’ll appreciate it when I get the weight off!
I generally feel a lot older than my friends… not jaded just feel like i’ve been through more than they have because bc is the hardest thing i’ve ever experienced…
For me I get frustrated that every other 24 year old is carrying on as normal… out and about… they have hair! lol… and I was up for a promotion at work but have been off sick and they had to give it to someone else… and this someone else is awful, she couldn’t do her job before and all she does is complain about how much she hates the promotion and I want to shake her and tell her she wouldn’t have the bloody thing if I hadn’t been off sick. I suppose, I just feel like I’ve missed so much whilst I’ve been through all this. Also, does anyone else feel like everything has changed forever? Its like not matter what cancer will always be part of me and my history and even though I might get better it will never go away… I just want to go back to the day before I found my lump and not have this hanging over me!
Its great to speak to some younger ladies!
Is anyone going to the forum in Sheffield next year?
Erin xxx
Even though im a bit older then you guys, the looks from the older people in the chemo/rads waiting room drove me mad. I just knew they were saying ‘poor thing’ or words to that effect as soon as i left the waiting area.
Lou - you mentioned your ld recon results were ‘wrong looking’ were they not what you were expecting? or did you research and found yours to be different? were you expecting a replica of your real boob? Sorry for all the questions Im just keen to learn stuff from others who have had LD recon. I will hopefully be having this next year, couldnt have it at time of mast as I needed rads after. Any information would be greatly received, positive or neg.
And yes about going back to the day before dx when your life was normal, wouldnt it be nice just to have the same worries as everyone else, instead of ‘is the cancer gonna get me’??? I too have found this website invaluable as as one of you has already commented, everyone on here understands, where as friends and familiy try hard but are not even close to how this feels, and yes its always someone else mum or gran who has been there before. (Although, unfortunately I happen to know a number of aquaintances/friends who are going through this at the moment, I am the youngest at 36 but the others are 37, 38 and 41 which I think is still way too young to be suffering this.
Check in again soon.
Nice chatting.
Ness.
x
Hi everybody
Im 28 and I was wondering if any of you are not having reconstruction following mastectomy. This is my choice but I get the feeling the hospital think Im in shock or something and I’ll want it later on. Maybe I will change my mind but I dont think I so right now. Ive just started chemo( 1 down of epi/cmf)- HER2 positive, rads after chemo then herceptin, tamoxifen ( a wee background there). Good to find this young thread
Yvonne x
ness,
i’m probs not the best person to ask about ld recon as i’ve been pretty bloody unlucky and had every side effect that is possible, its been a nightmare since my surgery. This is partly because i have a blood clotting defect that everyone was unaware of until i had major surgery…they still havent got to the bottom of it, but it has caused a lot of problems.
Its 3 months since my surgery and i am still not fully healed (although i think ive got less than a week to go!) thats why i eel down at the mo. If i’m being more reflective however i would say i’m glad i had a recon, it has just changed how my body feels soooo much more than i had anticipated.
My BCN keeps telling me its not about getting back to normal, but finding a new normal. We cant get rid of the physical and mental experiences we’ve had and they fundamentally change us. She thinks its harder the younger you are as the shock that your body is not invulnrable is more profound. I like to think of the cheesy old adage that what doesnt kill you maks you stronger. fighting this horrible disease will surely make alot of lifes other ‘trials’ seem like a walk in the park!
It is good to know that i’m not the only young one out there. (although its also quite sad!)
Lou xx
Hi fellow youngsters! I was 29 when I found my lump, Diagnosed with Grade 3 invasive then 2 days before my 30th had lumpectomy where they foun 2 lumps not 1 and now had mastectomy and undergoing chemo (FEC/Docetaxel). Had planned a holiday to Australia for mine and my partners 30th Birthday but we had to cancel. I was shocked due to my age more than anything, and the fact that to my knowledge no one in my family other than my dads sister had BC (she was in her 50s). But I was more shocked when they said I was not the youngest, and now talking to some fellow youngtsers I realise I am in the mid range when it comes to the age this horrible thing can catch you at.
YCM1980 my Surgeon is the best in that all the cancer has gone! Hoorraaaghhh!!! However he has the tact of an X factor judge! First he said “Recon wouldn’t be a problem as there is plenty of me to play with” then said he would see me in 9 months to discuss further after I have had all my treatment. I said “Recon was the last thing on my mind, I want to get on with my life”, then he said “well if you are happy looking like that…” I thought get me while I’m down why don’t you, is it not bad enough that I was already overweight, I have now lost a breast, gonna lose my hair any time now, and he says something like that!!! Joking aside, I feel fine when I have something in my bra, but I don’t like it when nothings is there but that is only 10 minutes a day in teh shower and I think I can cope with that rather than have more surgery. At the end of the day its personal choice.
hi Mandy
I think youre right going to see him in the months after treatment- I guess this is what will happen with me, it is a very personal choice so we’ll see what happens (one thing though there is definately not plenty of me to play with, ,lol, as Im just an A cup). Im getting my proper prothesis fitted on thursday morn so looking forward to that- even with a little comfie it rides up a bit.
Its weird waiting for your hair to go- I was shaved to a number 3 the other night but will ask oh to go to a number one tonight as now have massive bald patches. I know it sounds weird but I just want it all gone now so that I can look forward to it coming back- Ive not enjoyed the waiting. Hope yours hangs around a bit longer.
Yvonne x
Hey ladies!
I’m Anna, I’m 21 and have decided that I will be having preventative surgery in the next year or so.
There is a long family history of breast cancer, despite going to geneticists we can’t find a common gene but if you saw a pattern of over 5 generations, there is very much a hereditary factor somewhere!!!
I have been told that it looks like I have a 1 in 2 chance of getting BC at some point in my life, my mother was diagnosed when she was 29, which isn’t that far off. So it worries me a lot and with a lot of conversations with my GP and other doctors we’ve decided to have a double mastectomy and reconstruction to remove as much of the breast tissue as possible to reduce my risks dramatically.
I’m on here really for as much support and advice from as many people as possible regarding life after the op and what you go through when having it - pretty much everything! Everyone has been amazingly supportive so far on here, it’s lovely to be able to talk to other women who are going through similar situations and gaining advice and support. Really makes me think that I have more strength to be able to deal with it.
All of my friends have been amazing when I’ve talked about it. It was funny, one of my best mates was talking about it with her boyfriend who I know very well and he said “It’s alright it’s happening to her as I know she will be able to cope with it and come out smiling, if it had happened to anyone else, they would be a complete mess”, which shows that my friends think that I can do this.
So there’s my story! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
hi everyone
im also 21 and have just started the procedure for my risk reducing operation
i decided 2 find out if i had the gene last year, after lots of thought i did feel sergery was the way forward- after watchin my mom aunts grandmothers having breast cancer i didnt want 2 go throught wat they have- especially my mom who has suffered wit it 3 times!
i have had my expanders put in and have my first session of saline pumped in 2 morrow which i can say im lookin forward 2
I have amazing friend and family and i feel very supported by them.
my story - lisa xx
Hi everyone
I was 35 when first diagnosed had lumpectomy and lymph node clearance - results showed I had 38/40 involved so had invasive chemo and mastectomy and rads
I was just in the process of seeing plastice surgeon for delayed tram flap recon and I was diagnosed with secondaries in my lymph nodes to the chest and partially in my lungs - so this has completely stopped my recon. I also have the BRCA2 gene which should mean me having hysterectomy but now cant as I have started chemo again - but hey I am here and thats is what keep me going.
I understand where people are coming from with not having recon and having it I have days where i wish I had had my surgery but others where it really dont bother me as I am just glad to be here
I hope everyone dont mind me gate crashing
Take care
Lisa xx
zena
your very brave and have an amazing attidude xx
Yvonne you might like the breastfree website:
www dot breastfree dot org
Strangely now that I’ve lost the steroid induced puffy cheeks and my hairs a really short grade 1 look I’m being mistaken for being early 20s instead of early 30s by quite a few people so the theory I read on there that some people don’t even notice you’re *that* flat chested and rather see you as young and athletic is true.
I’m not even sure I miss my old boobs now, at least they’ll never get saggy now, I don’t mean that to sound dismissive but I’m starting to actually like the new me on some levels so I’m really quite sure I’ll not be doing reconstruction now. I don’t even bother with the prosthetics. I don’t *need* a bra anymore and in some ways that’s really very liberating so I’m not going to wear one just to make other people comfortable and having been totally flat chested for months now no one notices… not one at all it seems
Hi, just sneaking my nose in, (I’m 39), you’ve probably noticed but in case not there is a younger women’s forum in Cardiff on the 23/24 Jan. I’m not sure if I am going yet but if any of you are going it would be great to put faces to names (Louise79 - we might meet - having missed each other at the BRI for so many weeks by only one day each time!)
Hi all
It is so good to find this forum! i was diagnosed with breast cancer just over 4 weeks ago, it doesnt run in my family and so was a big shock. i had a total mastectomy 3 weeks ago and i start chemo in a couple of weeks…so i get to have christmas which is nice
i have been feeling pretty positive, but somedays are really hard and it would be good to chat with people who are in the same boat, sometimes you fell like no one can really understand!
I am hoping to get internet at my home soon, so will def be using this alot!
xxx
hi Charlotte
Im sorry to hear of your news. i just wanted to say that I am also 28 and was diagnosed in september. Im a little further down the line than you in that Ive had my mastectomy and am currently going through chemo ( had 2 so far). Id be happy to chat anytime, and there are lots of lovely helpful ladies on here.
Yvonne xx
Hello everyone
I just wanted to make sure that you know about Breast Cancer Care’s telephone support groups for younger women (women in their 20s & 30s). The next one is due to start on January 29th 2009 & it lasts for an hour a week for 8 weeks. Up to 8 women take part plus a counsellor & nurse who act as facilitators. The groups provide an opportunity to talk to other young women with breast cancer about the issues which affect you. If you want more information you can either call the helpline on 0808 800 6000 or e-mail <script type=“text/javascript”>eval(unescape(‘%64%6f%63%75%6d%65%6e%74%2e%77%72%69%74%65%28%27%3c%61%20%68%72%65%66%3d%22%6d%61%69%6c%74%6f%3a%74%65%6c%65%70%68%6f%6e%65%73%75%70%70%6f%72%74%67%72%6f%75%70%73%40%62%72%65%61%73%74%63%61%6e%63%65%72%63%61%72%65%2e%6f%72%67%2e%75%6b%22%3e%74%65%6c%65%70%68%6f%6e%65%73%75%70%70%6f%72%74%67%72%6f%75%70%73%40%62%72%65%61%73%74%63%61%6e%63%65%72%63%61%72%65%2e%6f%72%67%2e%75%6b%3c%2f%61%3e%27%29%3b’))</script>
best wishes
Suzi