Hi i’m 29 newly diagnosed with BC and booked in for my op at the end of the month just wondered if anyone in a similar situ or who has been thro all this was able to give advice or wanted a chat?
Hi Allie and welcome to the forums,
In addition to the wonderful support you will receive from your fellow forum users here,
BCC have published a booklet for those newly diagnosed which may help you to understand more about diagnosis and treatments for breast cancer, you can order it via the following link:
breastcancercare.org.uk/server/show/nav.718/changeTemplate/PublicationDisplay/publicationId/82
We also have dedicated ‘younger womens’ services and information which you can read about via this link:
breastcancercare.org.uk/server/show/nav.712
Please also call our freephone helpline on 0808 800 6000 which is open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday 9am-2pm, here you can speak to one of our team who are either specialist breast care nurses or have had an experience of breast cancer themselves and are here to support you and help you through.
Best wishes
Lucy
Hi Allie
I’m 28, diagnosed in january, had lumpectomy 27th feb, had my first dose of chemo last wednesday. My tumour was grade 3 but only small (11mm) so i think i found it pretty early. I found out that i’m HER-2 positive too so I need herceptin after chemo and radiotherapy.
It all seems really daunting at first but time flies by and before you know it your on the next stage!!
If you need any advice then I’ll try and help, I’m probably only a couple of weeks in front of you so we can help each other hopefully.
its horrible going through this, especially when being so young too.
emily
Hi Allie,
I’m kathryn and I’m 33. I was diagnosed just under a month ago with grade 3 ductal cancer. The tumour was 21mm and like emily found it really early (thanks to still breastfeeding my youngest). I had a lumpectomy last week with node clearance and it was much better than I expected. On the pain threshold from 1 to 10, my highest was 3 and that was when the nurses were really late with the painkillers! I got my results today and although it’s spread to 1 out of 9 nodes I don’t need further surgery. I don’t know yet if its HER-2 positive, but have chemo and radiotherapy to do first.
I find taking one small step at a time really helps. These forums have also been a godsend. My husband and parents try their best to understand but sometimes it helps to talk to someone who knows what you’re going through and on here I’ve always found someone with excellent advice and who knows what it’s like.
kathryn
kathryn
Hi Allie, I’m Emma. i’m 30 and was told last week had grade 3 DCIS. I’m booked in for a mastectomy on 16th of April and am really nervous about it, this will be the first time I’ve ever had to go into hospital! Hope you’re ok x
Hi everyone
Thanx so much for replying. My friends have been great and the breast service here is really good but it felt like I was the only young person ths was happening to.
Emma i’m really nervous also I’ve never had an op either and work in a hospital thankfully not where i’m having my op. Good luck with the 16th i postponed mine till the 28th as running a half marathon, I must be crazy.
Kathryn that’s the op i’ve decided on so nice to hear that it wasn’t too painful. How long do you think it’ll be before you feel back to normal? I’d like to go back to work before my other treatments start for a couple of weeks.
Emily how is chemo I think that’s the thing that worries me the most i’m rubbish when i’m ill.
I’m trying to stay positive and focus on one step at a time. I go to pre op on the 17th. So that’s my next target.
Allie
Hi Allie,
I’m nearing the end of my treatment and currently on Herceptin… nearly a year since I was diagnosed. I’m 24 so understand how hard it is to be so young and feel like there is no one else who really understands! There are a few younger women on here that I talk to and have been really supportive.
You are right taking everything everything one step at a time and suddenly you’ll look back and won’t believe just how much you’ve accomplished!
And running a half?! You go and kick its ass!!!
Love
Erin xxx
Erin Hi
It’s so good to hear that you’re coming through the other side thank you so much for getting in touch. I will do my best to kick the ass of the half marathon been out today for 6 miles not fast but just want to get round. We are running for a friend of ours, in aid of the air ambulance. Most of the girls from work have signed up for the race for life in june i’m going to enter even if I can’t run. Were you 23 when dignosed? I can’t imagine how that felt.
I’ve found the forum so much help even tho it’s only been a few days since i signed up, just knowing other people are where i am or have gotten through everything.
Thanx again
keep in touch
Allie
Hey everyone
Thanx for all the posts it’s so good to realise you’re not alone. Do the half marathon next sunday then go in for my op not sure how i feel about it haven’t really cried yet just getting on with last couple of normal weeks. Would love advice on chemo as has been told it’s almost a definate.
Was hoping to go to New York for my 30th but have been advised against booking it by hosp as may still be having chemo so was quite miserable about that.
Allie
Hi Allie,
I was diagnosed a week after my birthday last year so was just 24! Just getting round the 6 miles will be an achievement for anyone so to go for it is fantastic.
I was booked to go snowboarding for xmas but had to cancel but I did go to New York in January for a week… so you might just have to put it off for a little while. (Oh and insurance isn’t very easy but if you want to know where i got mine and how much PM me and I’ll let you know).
I’ve been very calm throughout my treatment really, had a few really rough days but just wanted to get on with it and I think it made things go a lot quicker that I tried to still get out and about even if it was just to walk to the corner shop and then go home. My chemo was TAC and I had 6 cycles every 3 weeks. Its not great but I thought I’d be very sick and unwell which never really happened… I found the best way to stop feeling sick was to eat little and often and lived on cheese and crackers after chemo. I made up a chemo box which was one of those cleaners carries things that had a handle so that I could take medication and stuff with me. If you look at the chemo threads there are lots of lists with what people found worked. I would say essentials are senokot for after chemo and then immodium after that (because my stomach turned at a moments notice) and cordysal mouthwash which meant I had no ulcers but it does stain your teeth. But I’ve been told that my symptoms were like clockwork and every cycle on the same days the same things happened. It is cumulative but because it builds you get used to it.
And I would have replied sooner but I never saw the post before this one!
Feel free to PM me if you want to talk and I hope that everything is going well
Erin x
Hi Erin
Cheers for all the advice. I may be being a forum div here but what is a PM and how does it work?
Ta Allie
Hi Allie,
Sorry I haven’t posted in a while. Was out of hospital in a week. Would have been sooner but with young kids and squeamish husband stayed in until they removed the drain. was on the school run again within the next week and drving within 3 weeks. Started chemo last Wed (3xFEC and then 3xT) and have to say wasn’t prepared for how much it knocked me out. this is the first day i’ve felt well enough to stay up and come online. (Bit of a lie - had an afternoon snooze, but after i walked to end of street and that felt like a marathon!)The sickness didn’t last more than 12 hours although still feel a bit queasy. Like Erin, find cheese and crackers has been a godsend and ready meals as smell of food makes me feel worse. Could be i just have low pain threshold and am too feeble and pathetic for words!!!
Hope whichever stage you’re at, you’re doing well.
Thinking of you.
Kathryn x
Hey everyone
did the sheffield half yesterday so have v sore legs but feel that having got round will help me be positive through the next few months.
Go in tom for my lumpectomy so feeling a bit unnerved that this is all real and not some bad dream!
Kathryn thanks for the positive info on the op especially about pain etc. Sorry to hear that chemo’s knocking you about are you feeling better?
Emma how did your surgery go?
Bye for now
Allie
Heh there Allie, came out of hospital last wednesday and the mastectomy went well (well if there is such a thing lol). It was no way near as bad as I expected, just a pain having to carry around two drains with me for a week. I’m healing well, have some pain and tightness under my armpit and along the underside of my arm. This is prob due to the fact they decided to remove all the lymph nodes on my left side. I get the results of my surgery this thursday, when I will prob also find out what treatment lays ahead, fingers crossed! Lots of luck for tomo, you defintely sound fit and healthy so I’m sure you will be fine. Take any advice, support and painkillers they offer you lol. And remember everyone on here goes through the same weird mix of feelings and emotions you are, and we’re all here to support you. Wishing you lots of luck for tomo, and a speedy recovery. Take care for now, xxx emma
Hi there!
Can I join you on this journey! I am 34 and diagnosed with Grade 3 Invasive Ductal on the 7th of April, I am having a rh Mastectomy and Lymph Node Clearance on Thursday (30th) and only just found the strength to start thinking about it (my method is to get on with things, it helps me focus and stay positive!) I’m not too scared about the surgery (most of the time) but the invalidity at home afterwards and the strain on everyday life (I have a 4 month old baby!) But so far this forum is helping me loads
Donna x
Hi - I was diagnosed last April (08) at the age of 35 had a grade 3 lump and extensive DCIS therefore had to have a mastectomy and temporary reconstruction and had sentinal nodes (2) removed (thankfully they were clear). Had 6 cycles of chemo and 15 sessions of radiotherapy. Mine was HER2 positive so currently having Herceptin. I found it all too much to deal with at first especially as my daughter was only 18 month old at the time. It was hard work for 2 months following the op - i.e. not being able to pick up my daughter etc or having to be so carefully not to strain etc. However you do recover. Chemo was nowhere near as bad as I thought it was going to be. Radiotherapy just made me feel very tired and had some mild skin soreness but nothing too bad. Herceptin so far is ok. The main point I am trying to make is that it is really frightening if you don’t know how you are going to feel and exactly what is going to happen etc - but most of the time it is not as bad as you think it will be, that is what I found anyway. It is not easy - but my daughter, fiance and family have been my towers of strength to help me get through it and I am slowly getting there. Still got to have further reconstructive surgery - but only when I am ready.
Heh there Donna, it’s good to hear from you. I hope everything goes well for you on thursday, I’m sure you will be fine. It can all get very overwhelming and scary when you start to think about whats going on, but I am staying focussed on the long term, and all the things I’m gonna do once I’ve beaten the cancer. It wont be nice in the short term not being able to hold your baby, but taking your time to heal and doing your exercises is important. Lots of love, and let us know how you’re getting on xxx
Hi Kathryn and all,
I have posted this on behalf of new user Leonie.
Regards Sam
I have just registered with the website. I have been diagnosed with BC in March 09. I am 37 years old and single. I had surgery end of March and like Kathryn within three weeks I could drive and do my usual stuff again. I had a lumpectomy and four nodes removed which were negative.
I am now getting myself psyched up for the chemo treatment. I will have same as Kathryn, 3x FEC and 3x T. No idea how you feel after the first session?? I am a bit scared because I live by myself as to whether i should have my family (Mum, sis, friends…) around me all the time or just in the first week after chemo?? has anyone got any advice on that?
Leonie x
Hey all
Well am recovering well from WLE even managed to go out last sat. Took me 2 days to recover either too soon from GA or massive amount of wine! So now i’m just waiting for my results. Have come to the irrational conclusion that i’d be upset if i needed more surgery. On the other hand have decided to believe that i’ll need all treatments so if it isn’t the case it’s a bonus. just want to thank every one for they’re support it meaans alot.
Allie xxx
Hiya. I am 32 and was dx on 24th april Grade 3, 2.5cm lump NOW REMOVED!!! ha!
I feel like you allie…i would be gutted if i needed more surgery! Had WLE on thursday. Sentinel node was negative so armpit was left alone! Cons said if the histology report showed something unexpected i would need a mastectomy.
Already prepared for treatment but more surgery would realy gut me. Hated leaving my babies and hate the long 5inch scar that is peaking out of the dressing!
One stage done tho.