Booked a place on the Younger Women’s Forum but worried about going alone?
Considering booking a place but not sure?
Every year we receive queries from women, including concerns about coming along to the Forum on their own. Feedback from previous forums has said how helpful it was to talk on the Forums before the event.
This thread is a chance for you to say hello and “meet” others attending the Forum. I will check in regularly and if you have any questions do let me know and I will do my best to answer them.
Hi I live in Newcastle and I’m attending the breast cancer forum in Leeds. I have a mixture of normal nervousness of going to a new place on my own but excited in meeting women to share our experiences of BC. I have no doubt there will be a lot of laughter over the two days. I had a mastectomy and lat dorsi reconstruction. I know breast reconstruction is on the agenda but I am more than happy to talk about it.Talking to peer support helped me gain insight into the benfits the forum has. Having had non hodgkins at 20 then getting BC at 42 I really want to have a better quality of life which I know the forum will provide. looking forward to seeing you all soon.
Hi everyone, I’m looking forward to the Forum, bit nervous about attending alone but know I’m not the only one! I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Primary Breast Cancer in October last yr which was of course devastating, but I am determined not to get down or mope about it, after all, it’s out of my hands isn’t it? All we can do is put our trust in the medical professionals and get on with it! People tell me I’m strong, but I don’t see that, I just want to live!! I am looking forward to speaking to others who have been through similar situations as we are the only ones who know how it feels!! Hope to see you there! :)) xx
Hi ladies, I’m attending the Leeds forum along with a friend. I was diagnosed in April last year at 36 and have had a wle and axillary clearance. I’m looking forward to meeting all the lovely ladies and having a good old natter.
I am attending the forum in Leeds alone. Im nervous, but looking forward to meeting other younger people going through similar experience’s. I was diagnosed last October with multifocal BC. Have had 5 months of chemo and 3 weeks ago I had left mastectomy with immediate reconstruction, using an implant. Still recovering from op but feel I am doing well. Recently started on tamoxifen and am having herceptin as well. I am due to start radiotherapy in 3 weeks time. I have a 3 year old daughter who has got me through the last 8 months. Having to carry on as normal for her, has helped me to stay positive. Will be nice to meet other women going through these issues and look forward to chatting and making new friends.xx
Hi muddles, you are right about your kids bringing you through - I have two children aged 11 and 13 and all through my treatment (lumpectomy, 6 cycles of chemo, now having radiotherapy) they have been amazing!! I have always tried to keep life for them as normal as possible but also been brutally honest. My youngest asked me ‘Mum, are you going to die?’ Nearly broke my heart! As hard as it was, I didn’t want to give them false hope so I replied, ‘I don’t know, but I will try really hard not to!!’ I mustn’t forget my husband, so amazing too, I am so lucky to have him. Support is so important at times like these, that’s what this Forum is all about! Lots of lovely ladies, sharing their troubles and hopefully having a great time!! Cancer DOESN’T define us, it is WHO we are that counts!! C you all soon!! :))) xx
Hi Everyone,
I can’t wait to attend the forum and meet other young ladies like myself who have been affected by breast cancer. I am 36 and was diagnosed with Grade 3 BC in June last year. My journey so far has been quite sureal and a blur but i am keeping strong and focused on the NOW and living each day to the full with my little boy who is 2yrs old and my ray of sunshine.
I had a WLE followed by 6 months of been injected with the poison and then decided to have a mastectomy only to discover that i had another tumour that had grown whilst been on chemo. I then had 4 weeks of Rads and had another local recurrance in my scar so back on chemo, capecitabine. Had a pet scan 3 weeks ago and my cancer has now resloved and i just have 1 little bit that is being a pain and wont go. I will keep fighting my corner as i am determined to kick ass with this disease!!
Everyday is difficult and i find it hard to sleep at night but i have more good days than bad now. Having cancer has changed my life as i guess it has with all of us attending the form, but i feel blessed that i see my life in a different light now and value every breath i take.
Looking forward to meeting all you wonderful amazing ladies and grabbing onto lots of hope!
Claire M
xxx
Hi, I’m also attending the forum alone and looking forward to meeting all you ladies. I live near Leeds, so not far to travel. I was diagnosed in March and currently undergoing pre operative chemotherapy, due to have number 5 the day before the forum. My amazing family and friends are keeping me positive through these trying times. I have 2 fantastic children aged 6 and 3 and a wonderful husband. The past few months has certainy reminded me how lucky I am!! Looking forward to chatting with you all. Xx
Dear all,
After deliberating for a few weeks decided it would be a great oportunity to meet others in the same boat so sent reservation off yesterday. Hopefully there are still places left. At 42 years of age I’m ‘middle earth teretory’ but with two young children who have been my primary concern, probably have some very similar experiences to others.
Hope to see you all there.
Hey, I am coming to the forum too… am 35 and was diagnnosed last October… just finishing my last treatment -2 more radiotherapy sessions to go so timing of forum good for me… have been acutely aware of being surrounded by ‘old’ ladies during my treatment so am looking forward to sharing experiences with younger women…
Am a bit worried about coming alone also but suppose we are all in same boat and will have lots to chat about!!
Hi everyone, I’m attending the Leeds YWF event. I’m 43 and was diagnosed with DCIS in August 2012 and I had my right breast removed followed by immediate reconstruction and lat dorsi. My scars are healing nicely, I refer to them as my shark bite LOL!! and am having part 2 of my nipple tattoo later today. After my surgery the doctors discovered I had a 2mm invasive cancer but fortunately it had a 10mm clear area around it. I am taking Tamoxifen for 5 years and am having the Zoladex injections for 2 years, the cancer they found was hormone receptive. I have a lovely and very supportive husband, without him I don’t know how I would have got through all of this, but am determined its not going to get the better of me. BC has changed my outlook on life and although I’ve had my breast removed I feel very lucky that the cancer was found at a very early stage.
Whilst on my ‘journey’ I have met some wonderful people who have been through the same, similar or much worse experience than I. The support groups that I attend mainly have older ladies at the sessions, I don’t think there are any regular groups where younger women go to in my local area, but this is probably due to work/family commitments, but the group of older ladies give me hope, they are still with us, some after 25+ years since first diagnosis and living a full life!! They are an absolute inspiration!!.
I’m really looking forward to meeting BC ladies closer to my own age, I’m sure we will have lots to talk about, things to compare and share, the things we can expect to happen that isn’t written down in medical journals etc… and our own personal experiences.
Carol
Hi, I’m attending the forum in Leeds. I was diagnosed in April mx in May and waiting to start chemo. I’m also pregnant with my second and 40, so it’s been a bit of a roller coaster. I’m nervous but looking forward to meeting other women to talk to who ‘get it’, if you know what I mean?!?
Hello L-Rap, and all!
I’m sure I’m not alone when I say I know where you are coming from when you say meeting others who ‘get it’ will be immensley helpful!
Not long to go ladies!
Hello everyone,
Just signed up to go to Leeds on Friday and feeling very brave and empowered From Newcastle so am getting the train down- no takeaway cheeky bacon sandwich for me on the train but a nice coffee and magazines will see me through.
Looking forward to learning some new stuff, meeting some new people and having some fun along the way.
Kerry
Hi ladies,
looking forward to meeting you all.
i was dx last June, following screening due to my family history. (My mum died of b.c. In her early 30s and my sister was dx 4 years ago at 35)
Had a bilateral mx and implants, followed by chemo (epi/cmf). I’m on tamoxifen now and on Tuesday am going back in to have my ovaries removed.
I am 42, a mum of 3 children aged 16, 13 and 6. I work as a midwife in stoke on Trent but Im originally from Leeds. I’m travelling to the forum with my friend Alison. (Wholovesbeer hehe)
See you soon
Mandy x
Hi cannot wait to meet everyone. im excited . I am wondering if any of you ladies were staying on the thursday night snd if so be up for a drink as arruving there 8 ish. I could leave my details with Stephanie if you do. See you alk soon xx Michele
Lots of lovely ladies, sharing their troubles and hopefully having a great time!! Cancer DOESN’T define us, it is WHO we are that counts!! C you all soon!! :))) xx
. I am wondering if any of you ladies were staying on the thursday night snd if so be up for a drink as arruving there 8 ish. I could leave my details with Stephanie if you do. See you alk soon xx Michele