I was diagnosed with breast cancer 3 weeks ago - Invasive ductal carcinoma!
I know we are all in the same boat but I really don’t think it’s sunk in that this has happened to me, I’m only 32 years old!!!
It all started about the Jan/Feb 2009 when I started having aching pains in my left shoulder and arm, I thought it was down to a pulled muscle or poor posture - maybe I had the wrong type of chair at work or something, anyway, when I pain didn’t go after a few months I started going to the doctors, he sent me for a shoulder ex-ray and said it’s prob just nothing!
About 1 month later I started feeling pains in my chest so I went to the doctor again, then he sent me for a chest x-ray and ECG, the ECG was fine but the x-ray showed a shadow on the left lung, whilst I was waiting for the x-ray to come back, I went back to the docs to get a breast examination as I was feeling pains in my left breast now, I was referred to St,Georges Hospital one week or so later and after a biopsy of the breast, scans and a mannogram they told me I have breast cancer!
The doctors say it hasn’t spread to the lymph nodes but they are running lots of test before deciding if I should have chemo, I met with my oncologist for the first time yesterday and she said my bone scan is back with shows concerns around my second rib on the left??? I have a CT scan booked for next Monday so she will be able to give me a better picture next Wednesday when I see her again…I know it’s only been 3 weeks but I still don’t know where I stand and the million and tests with no clear idea of what is gonna happen to me is driving me crazy!
I work in an office job and it’s the last place I want to be right now but I still have bills and a mortgage to pay, I’ve also only been in my jobs for 5 months so I’m only entitled to 1 weeks sick pay!!! My company have said to me, “they will support me as much as possible during this difficult time but they still have a business to run”!!!
Can anyone give me me any advise on when the docs may be able to give me a clear picture? Why can’t they run all the tests on 1 day instead of dragging it out week by week?
Welcome to the BCC discussion forums, you’ve come to the right place for support as the many informed users of this site have a wealth of information between them.
In the meantime you may find it useful to contact our free helpline on 0808 800 6000, opening hours are Monday to Friday 9.00 – 5.00 and Saturday 9.00 – 2.00.
Hi Sam
I’m new to this site. So sorry to hear your crappy news. You must feel like you are in hell! I know I did when it happened to me in late January this year. (i’m 34)
I remember feeling like I’d never sleep again (but I did). You are in shock and the tests the doctors are talking about are necessary to make a full diagnosis and unfortunately they take time. It is a nightmare waiting, something that consumes you and unless you’ve experienced it nobody can ever fully relate to what you’re going through.
I remember thinking ‘i don’t belong on one of these sites’ but it does help for as little or as much time as you need.
I don’t want to bombard you with information cos i suspect you’re head will be swimming.
The most pressing thing is for the doctors to determine specifically what type of cancer you’re dealing with. There are lots of types, size, grade. stage and whether yours is hormone receptor positive or negative. The only way to find out is to have the lump removed and examined in detail. Things will drag on for a few weeks more but somehow you’ll get through a day at a time even though it seems impossible just now.
I’ll stop typing for now to give you a break!
Ask me any questions you like, anything at all. I’ll tell you more of my story if at some point you want to hear it, the jist of it would be that ‘what i thought i could never go through ended up being do-able:-)’
Good luck in the meantime.Have you got good friends/family/partner etc? to support you to?
X
im sorry u have to join us,i remember how hard it was to deal with waitin for results.im 44 and was diagnosed in march,havin chemo fec hard but doable,it will get easier when you get your results and you know what your dealing with big hugs take care xxxx
Sam - sorry to hear that you have just been diagnosed… to be honest given your age it is almost 100% certain that you will have chemo… as they seem to give it to almost everyone under 40… i hope the results next week give you a better picture of what happens next - i think it would be a good idea for you to give the helpline on here a call…
I was 34 when dx and was told I would probably get chemo. However after my op, my results showed I was 100% positive for both hormones, grade 3, 2.1cm, with no nodes involved.
As I walked in the room for my results I was told by my bcn that it was good news and I didnt need chemo. They gave me zoladex and tamoxifen which for me they said would do the same as chemo.
Therefore, everyones results are different, and you dont always need chemo just because you are under 40.
If you find your company can’t, or won’t, pay you, contact the Citizens’ Advice Bureau. I am certain they will be able to help you claim some state benefits and put you in touch with charities that can help with finances. The last thing you should have to worry about is money. You need to be looking after yourself.
Hi Sam - sorry to hear your news but this is a really good place to chat and get advice and help from others in similar situations. I was 33 when I was diagnosed in May (on my mum’s birthday) - I’ve had 4 chemo and just had the WLE and SNB and anxiously waiting for my results on monday - I know how slowly time goes when you’re waiting for results, but you get through it somehow.
Sending big hugs to you and fingers crossed for your results :o)
Bev
x
Sorry you had to join the club, but welcome! I joined on 7/15/09 and I can tell you that, so far, the waiting is the absolute worst! You hear the words breast cancer and it’s like your brain freezes time. Well, the good news is you found this forum, which is awesome, and that there are plenty of members who offer love and support.
As I live on the other side of the pond in the U.S. I can tell you that the whole waiting thing seems to be universal. I had a surgical biopsy on 7/0/09, got the result back on 7/15/09, had lumpectomy on 7/24/09 and then still had to wait for more results from another test that didn’t get back until 8/26/09.
I know it is hard, but if you can focus on something else that will make the waiting more bearable. I created little projects for myself. Things like putting my shoes back in the closet the way I wanted them or finally going thru the stack of mail that has been collecting dust. Nothing to strenous, but something small to focus on for just a little while. It helped me not only pass the time, but my house got cleaned too.
Wow, thank you all for your comments,so many of you have responded in such a short space of time,I really appreciate it, I wish I got responses this fast on dating websites in the past!!! LOL!!! I’ve been single for 6 years but obviously dating is now the last thing on my mind now.
I will also speak to CAB about work and what I am entitled to, work is driving me nuts, I know it sounds bad I just can’t focus at work, my mind keeps drifting and I start thinkging about crazy stuff like who would come to my funeral if I died!!! I’d much rather be at home co-ordinating my wardrobe, cleaning, anyhting but work to take my mind off things!
Hi Samantha Sweetpea, You are in a scary place just now. How do we know? We have been there. Believe us when we say the waiting is the worst bit. Perhaps you need to have some sick time off work and use that time to visit the Citizens Advice Bureau. They also sometimes have experts at Maggie Centres and at the hospital. Your Breast Care Nurse could advise you where you could get help from experts. I was young when I was diagnosed and twenty years on and I am still here. Yes I am having treatment just now but I had a 10 years break when I was well. We are here for you. Come on to the site whenever you need someone to talk to, to sream at, to cry with, or to give you support through this difficult time. Lots of love and huge hugs, love Val ( Scottishlass) XX
Hello Samantha
just want to reiterate what others have said, really. This is a tough time and you need to get advice (CAB are great) about where you stand, and be able to take some time to think through all the issues that are coming up. You won’t lack support on this website, from young women like yourself, who are facing this far too young in life, and from old birds like myself, who were diagnosed as younger women, but are still around 10, 12, 20 years later.
Please keep in touch and fire away questions at us - there is an amazing amount of expertise and experience on this site that you couldn’t get from anywhere else.
You need to take care of yourself, ut you have lots of cyber friends!
lots of love
Monica xx
Hello Samantha
just want to reiterate what others have said, really. This is a tough time and you need to get advice (CAB are great) about where you stand, and be able to take some time to think through all the issues that are coming up. You won’t lack support on this website, from young women like yourself, who are facing this far too young in life, and from old birds like myself, who were diagnosed as younger women, but are still around 10, 12, 20 years later.
Please keep in touch and fire away questions at us - there is an amazing amount of expertise and experience on this site that you couldn’t get from anywhere else.
You need to take care of yourself, ut you have lots of cyber friends!
lots of love
Monica xx
you will get lots of support and help on here, it very early days and your head must be spinning. its normal and ok to think about funerals i think we all have, but there are some positive stories out there. You need to speak to your HR, cancer is now seen as a disablilty so they have to treat you fairly. Do you have citical illness insurance. If you have been paying Nat ins for a few years you will be entitled to sat sick pay, its not much, yes contact CAB or the help line here or at macmillan they are good with finacial advice.
I’m 29 and got diagnosed a few weeks ago. Having a lumpectomy tomorrow morning. The best advise I can give is keep busy and don’t be afraid to ask your nurse anything. I made sure in the time between being diagnosed and my op I’ve done things I love doing. I’m lucky though that I have been on school hols the whole time as I’m a teacher.
I’ve found this site such a support so far, just knowing there are others in a similar boat. My consultant has said I am more than likely going to have Chemo as I’m young fit and healthy, to make sure we blast this thing and minimize the risk of it returning.
I also recommend getting a referral to a fertility specialist (if you’re thinking of having kids that is). We had an appointment this morning and it was good to find out our options.
Hi Fairyem, Just to say I hope all goes well for you tomorrow when you have your lumpectomy. What a star you are giving support to Samantha Sweetpea when you have this to deal with yourself. I am glad you find the site helpful too, love from Val ( Scottishlass) X
Hi Samantha, I am a bit further down the line as I was dx in June 07 at the age of 33.
I hope you don’t mind “justmarried” but I just wanted to say that Samantha may not have the lump removed first as they don’t need to do this to get full results. I had a core biopsy done (like a staple thingy!) on both lump and lymph nodes and they found that I had cancer cells in both, I then had 8 courses of chemo which reduced the lump to nearly nothing and then I had a lumpectomy afterwards to remove as much margin as possible without the need for mastectomy.
I am only saying this as I panicked when I was told that I was having chemo first as thought that it was best to remove the lump first and I could not find anyone else who seemed to have it done, (it is actually very common!)
So good luck with whatever course of action they recommend, I just had my 18month check up and everything tickety boo ok, so there is light at the end of the tunnel
hi samantha,
just wanted to add to the support you have already been given on here. I’m 35 and a bit further down the line, diagnosed IDC apil 09 had WLE and halfway through chemo - no nodes involved but my hospital (christies) is one of the ones that likes to throw the whole lot at you when you are young. There are a lot of us ‘young’uns’ on here - so you are not alone.
I visited the macmillan centre in christies (check if you have one at your hospital) and a lovely nurse gave me tonnes of leaflets to trawl through - you should be able to get them online at cancer backup. “work and cancer” and “help with the cost of cancer” might be useful. If you live in england go to your docs and pick up a medical exemption form to get free prescritions - i didn’t know about it and forked out over £20 for my first ones. It may be helful to talk to your gp too if you havent already done so - mine has been great filling out insurance forms and sick notes for me.
Best of luck on monday.
xx
to be honest given your age it is almost 100% certain that you will have chemo… as they seem to give it to almost everyone under 40… i hope the results next week give you a better picture of what happens next - i think it would be a good idea for you to give the helpline on here a call…