Grade 2 Breast Cancer at 32

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Hello everyone,

 

I’m Hayley, 32 from Sunny Suffolk ( well not so sunny today!)

 

On Tuesday 9th February I went to hospital to get a lump checked out, thinking nothing of it as I thought I had just knocked myself in the gym whilst training. The next minute I am having a scan done to be told the lump was ‘suspicious.’ As a result of this suspicious lump I had a mammnogram and was told by the nurse they were sigficantly concerned, so they were going to carry out a biopsy on the same day.

 

I can remember the tears were streaming down my face and I wasnt able to talk. Lying there on the end thinking why has this happend to me?? What I thought was going to be a quick check up ended up being a 4 hour appoinment. 

 

On the 10th Feb myself and my husband went back to the hospital to be told that I had Grade 2 Breast Cancer and that it had spread to my lymph nodes.  I belive the told me the size of the dirty cancer was 3cm x4cm. Thats all I can remember from the appointment, other than the words ‘‘It is treatable.’’

 

Since this time, I have been a mixed bag of emotions. I am orginally from Bristol, so all my family are miles away, however my husband Simon has been fantastic and I have been talking to my family and friends a lot. I have been on this site for a few days now and have been reading other peoples stories and it reasures me to now that I am not alone. Saying that it is not nice that we are all here. As a type this I am looking at my boob sticking my middle finger up at it (lol.)

 

I have a MRI and CT scan next week and meeting with the Oncology clinic on Wednsday 24th Feb. The wait is so difficult, I just want to get the cancer removed.

 

I am worried that I am still in shock as I havent been crying as much as i thought I would. Yesterday I was so busy I seemed to forget it, yet today I was awake at 6:00am thinking ‘‘what should I be doing to prepare.’’

 

Today I am going to visit the Big C which is a cancer charity here in Norfolk. I am really looking forward to talking to people there, however I was wondering if you lovely ladies can help?? Is there anything I should be doing??

 

I was going to contact Head Strong and arrange an appointment with them prior the treatment starting and I would also like to talk to someone of the same age who has gone through this journey themself.

 

Sorry for so many questions…

 

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

 

Big hugs to you all

 

H xxx

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Hi Hayley,

I’m new to posting on here but was reading your post I felt I had to reply.
A lot of what you say about your diagnosis sounds very similar to myself.

I was diagnosed in October 2013 with a grade 2 Idc that was roughly 4cm and had spread to nodes.
I remember like you been in clinic and 4 hours later been told it was suspicious! I was 34 years old with 18 month old twins and a 5 year old ?
I started chemo first then a mastectomy with node clearance and went on to have radiotherapy and now on tamoxifen and zoladex. I’m doing ok now and have regular check ups. I know how tough it is in those early weeks and I can really relate.

I am a member of a private Facebook group YBCN which is really good support for young women.
Hope I can offer you some support, Any questions just fire away…

Take care love k xxx

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Hi Hayley

So sorry that you have joined this club, but glad that you are able to reach out for help.

Our HeadStrong service is great and i really recommend that you contact them so that you are ready for when your treatment starts.  Also, we have a Someone like me service which can put you in touch with someone who has been through a similar experience; the contact details are at the bottom of the page via the link.

Best wishes
Anna
Digital Community Officer

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Hi Hayley, 

 

Firstly I’m really sorry to read of your diagnosis. I was diagnosed with HER2 positive breast cancer back in July of 2015, and like yourself I was still classified as “young” at the ripe old age of 34! And believe it or not, this is the first time I’ve ever posted to the forum!!

 

I would be really happy to chat with you if you’re looking for any tips or just want to share your experience with someone of a similar situation (I’m now an expert at the perfect pencilled in eyebrow). I’ve pretty much tried to get through it just with the help of my husband and friends and family, but I now know that I need to start talking about it to people who really understand. If anything, just to get some reassurance that I’m not going mad…

 

So if you have any questions that I can answer then I’d be more than happy to help out.  I know we don’t live in the same area (I’m in Scotland), but I’d love to pass on my experience with dealing with the side effects of treatment etc. One particular service to look out for is Look Good Feel Better…a class where you get make-up tips for when your skin changes…and the plus side is, you get an amazing goodie bag to take away (my goodie bag included Lancome, Clinique, Urban Decay, Chanel and many more amazing products).

 

Wishing you a speedy recovery. 

 

xxx

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Hi Hayley, so sorry to hear your news. I’m kinda in the same boat but I’m 34 and had a little girl last April. My husband and I got married last valentines day and I got diagnosed in September. Right breast mastectomy in October and just gone through my 5th round of chemo, the 6th being my last. Still got herceptin and tamoxifen to continue. Happy to answer any questions and will try to help. X

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Hello everyone,

Thank you so much for all your replies. It is reasuring to know that I am not alone out there, I shall be asking lots of questions so I apologies in advance.

 

 I had a good day yesterday, I went along to the Big C charity and met all the staff there. The support is overwhelming. There is a group there what meets twice a month and it is aimed at women aged 30-40, the first meeting is on the 3rd March. :slight_smile:

 

Can someone tell me if you can send personal message on here to other users? If so how?? I am still trying to work my way around the website.

 

I was wondering if I could also pick your brains in terms of hair loss. I am really worried about this, espically as I feel my hair is my best feature. I have been reading up on the cold cap and there is mixed views. Has anyone on here used it before? I don’t know what treatment/medication I shall be on yet, but was told by the nurse that they are going to ‘‘throw everything at me.’’ 

 

I have booked a hair appointment on Thursday at a lovely salon in town (normally i have a mobile hairdresser) so thought I would treat myself and get my hair cut ito a bob or shorter style. I keep changing my mind and feel making any decision at the moment is a challenge in itself. Would you reccommend this or did anyone else do the same?

 

Again sory for so many questions.

 

Big Hugs to you all xxx

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Hi Louise,

I would love to chat to you. Be great to talk to someone who has been through this horrible journey. Not how I add you as a friend on here, could you add me

Xx

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Hi Hayley, how are you? Just read your story and it sounds exactly like mine. I am 35 and last Thursday was diagnosed with breast cancer, 2 areas in my right breast with lymph node involvement. I am totally and utterly in shock, i had no symptoms and just went for a check up as we have a family history of Breast Cancer. 

We live overseas and i have no family, i live in a middle eastern country and the mannerisms of the Doctor was harsh and blunt, i dont even now what he said, i dont know what stage i am at, all i know is ive never been so scared in my whole life. 

I have 3 children, 8,4 and 2, i am terrified of not being here for them. I had a PET scan yesterday to see if there has been any spread, i am going back to the hospital tonight for the results, i feel physically sick at the thought of it. Ive never cried so much in my life. I feel so alone, even though i have good friends here.

I need a mastectomy and chemo, but we are in the process of moving countries and now all that is on hold, i feel like ive messed everything up for my family.

I hope you got some support Hayley, good luck for your next appointment, all this waiting with things out of your control is so hard xx

Kiera x

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Hi Hayley, thanks for your reply. Thankfully finally some good news from the scan, no spread! All contained within my right breast and lymph nodes. He has said its stage 2, so I can deal with that. He said its triple negative and I have 3 tumours so it looks like I might have BRCA 1/2 gene, he will send it off for genetic testing. So I’m gong to have a double mastectomy as soon as maybe next week!
All very overwhelming, I haven’t even come to terms with it all yet. I’m now sat at the hospital waiting to see a plastic surgeon to discuss reconstruction options…You are right, I feel better now I have an answer and I plan in place.
How are you feeling, you have a scan tomorrow? I will be crossing fingers and toes for you, let me know how you get on xx
Can I send you my email address, in not too sure how to do that on here?

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Hi Hayley, just wondering how your MRI scan went, when do you get your results? All this waiting and Drs appts can be totally draining.
I felt really positive after seeing the plastic surgeon on Wed but now feel down and fed up. I hate this rollercoaster of emotions!
Let me know how you are xx

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Hiya Hun,

My MRI went okay they done the CT scan whilst I was there too so I don’t need to go back Monday which is good! I get the results on Wednesday which is when I find out my treatment plan too.

I’m so sorry to hear your feeling low and fed up, your not alone, I’ve been having a few days like that myself. I hate waiting. I just want it gone now. It’s getting to a point where I don’t like looking at my boob any more.

I know it’s easy for me to say but stay strong, we can get through this.

I hope you got my email?

Xxx

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Morning, I’m new to all this but found this thread this morning and am in a similar situation.
I found out I had Breast cancer about 5 weeks ago and it’s been a roller coaster ride ever since. I have a lump about 4cm and it has spread to my lymph nodes also.
I have just started chemotherapy… I am 13/126 days! 2 weeks into my first cycle. It’s reassuring to hear that someone on here is so having chemo first then surgery as many seem to have the other way round. I wanted them off instantly! I too am trying to get my head around hair loss As I only have a couple of weeks left at best. I have long auburn hair, as soon as I started treatment I noticed it was Looking lank and dry, my hairdresser has cut it into a bob and I love it!!! So easy to manage and is helping with the transition. I didn’t go for the cold cap as I’ve heard mixed things and I wanted the chemo to reach every cell in my body (I’m sure it does with the cold cap) and I was told my treatment would be over a longer period and I just wanted to get it started and over with. I spent yesterday experimenting with headscarves… Luckily which are currently very fashionable with my 13 year old daughter. My way of dealing with the chemo is wake up… Act accordingly… No expectations x I started my chemo on my 40th birthday. The chemo itself is not scary it’s more boring so I took lots of things to do and someone who treats me normally and doesn’t fresk me out by crying and looking at me with fear and sympathy.

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Hi I’m relieved to find someone who has had chemo first… Everyone else I hear of seems to have surgery first but my consultant assured me this would be the best way. I hope u don’t mind asking, did you go for reconstruction? I am week 2 of 18 week treatment so have a while to decide but want to make sure Ive thought hard about all the options. Did u use a cold cap? Sorry so many questions xxxx
L xx

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Hi Coxleonie, how are you?
It’s a bit of a rollercoaster ride isn’t it! I’m having surgery first then chemo, in an unfortunate situation that we are in the middle of moving countries. I opted to have surgery first as I have friends here to help me out after wards, then chemo once I move.
Can’t believe you started chemo on your 40th birthday! I hope you still had a sip of something bubbly! How have you been on chemo, I keep reading horror stories about it. I even went and chopped my shoulder length hair off into a crop yesterday in preparation! I figure it will be easier post surgery and it’s going to fall out anyway might as well do it in my terms!
You will have to let us know where you got your head scarves from.
Take care xx

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Thanks KSaint …They say life begins at 40, my new life does as this will change me forever… Hopefully in a good way, I certainly know what is really important now.
What have you decided with surgery, is it a mastectomy or lumpectomy you are having?
So far chemotherapy has been ok… I’ve tried not to read too much and just woke up each day and reacted to how I’m feeling. I have vowed to walk as much as I can and this helps me get out. I start the day with a superfood smoothie which hopefully helps my system and gives me all my vitamins I need.
I too cut my hair last week into a bob which is so much easier to manage and I really like it too… Should have done it years ago! Knowing my luck I’ll shave it all off and it won’t fall out ? I’ve been told it definitely will so trying to prepare now. The head scarves are just my normal neck scarves but I have ordered some head caps to wear around the house/ underneath as it gives the headscarf lift… I don’t want to look like an old woman ?

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I have chemo every 3 weeks for 6 cycles so 18 weeks/ 126 days in total… I’m ticking the days/ weeks off. I go in for a couple of hours on day 1 then nothing for 3 weeks. Somebody bought me a diary to write how I’m feeling each day so I can refer back which is helpful especially if I’m planning days out. I was dreading it but really it was just boring as I went private so you have your own room and was a bit quiet. My first cycle has been ok, I’m trying not to think about how it could be and just waking up and seeing how I feel.
I hope your consultation goes well. I felt so relieved after as I knew what was happening and felt like we were getting on with it.
Xxxxx