I’ve been reading this forum since being told I likely have breast cancer on the 22nd Jan this year. My biopsy results have come back and confirmed I have IDC and I am currently waiting to find out my results of the MRI and CT scan that I had earlier this week. I was 34 when I first was told I likely have cancer and have since turned 35. I guess I’m not really sure what I’m looking for - this forum has helped me feel calm and reassured and other times I feel scared and overwhelmed. I think I’m looking to feel less alone and to find others similar to me? I’m finding everything difficult to process at the moment, not just my diagnosis but things like navigating other people’s reactions, having to wind work down, coming to terms with potential fertility implications etc etc (I don’t have kids) I’ve taken to long dog walks and working my way through all the mission impossible films (
) to cope but thought I’d reach out here too. It was such a shock to receive a breast cancer diagnosis - no history in my family that I know of and I just never thought I’d be navigating cancer in my thirties 
If any one relates or is going through/went through something similar I’d love to hear from you.
Aw @nat_26 that’s tough. I’m very similar in age to you, I found a lump last March when I was 35 and got the diagnosis in April. Since then I’ve had surgery and I’m just about to finish chemotherapy, then will have radiotherapy and hormone treatment.
I have two young daughters already so I didn’t have the extra burden of concern around fertility as I never wanted more than 2 children. I’m so sorry you’ve got that extra challenge to deal with
I hope your dog is offering comfort.
I found at the start there were often long gaps while waiting for the next thing to happen, and looking back I really appreciate having had those moments to be a bit more normal.
Are there any support groups near you? I’m on a local Facebook group for breast cancer although ironically haven’t managed to go to any of the in person meetings yet, nearly a year later! I am planning on going on in one of the Younger Women Together events as well, just haven’t decided which one yet as Manchester is my home city but that’s only a one day event whereas there’s one in Birmingham that’s two days.
Ask me why questions you like, as it does help to chat with someone in a similar situation xx
Thanks so much for your response, I appreciate it. How are you doing? Have you finished your chemo now?
I’ve got surgery due to take place this Tuesday, a wide local excision and full lymph node clearance. Feeling a bit nervous about it all but I’m just trying to focus on how relieved I will feel once I’ve woken up from it. How have you found your treatment so far?
I’m not sure if I will be having chemo or not but my surgeon has said it’s highly likely due to my age. Was this the case for you?
Thanks for the idea about local groups, I hadn’t thought of that. I’m based down south in West Sussex so I will def see if I can find something as that might be nice to do.
Sorry to hear about your diagnoses. I am 36 and was diagnosed recently. My tumour is huge so I’m having chemo first then will have a mastectomy plus axillary clearance probably (regional spread). Then radiotherapy and so on!
I have 2 very young kids and breastfeeding I think masked the tumour for a long time. Awaiting genetic results. My cancer is advanced and aggressive and I’m obviously petrified about the future…
@nat_26 the fertility elements must be so distressing and I am sorry you have this added burden. But whatever decision you make will be the right one.
sending love x
I’m so sorry you’re also going through this 
Do you know when you’ll be starting chemo? I had a lumpectomy and lymph clearance on Tuesday so am recovering from that now. It’s made it all feel very real which has been difficult to deal with but I’m just trying to navigate all the ups and downs as they come.
I too am awaiting genetic results and also waiting for the results of the surgery. All the waiting is draining for sure 
I’m no wiser re: the fertility stuff, it all depends on whether I need chemo or not but every time I see someone, the narrative changes about it. Looks like it’s likely I will have it but not fully sure why at the moment, just keep being told it’s cause I’m young.
This must be very tricky to deal with alongside having little ones to look after too so I hope you’ve got good support to help you not just practically but also emotionally.
Sending lots of love right back x
I started chemo this week. It has been better than expected so far actually (the meds they give are amazing to help with side effects)! But I have been prepared that it gets worse as time goes on. I think the almost guaranteed hair loss (even with cold capping) is going to be hard for me.
How is your recovery going? I hope the surgery went well. Do you feel better psychologically now the cancer is hopefully cut out? I bet waiting to hear results about margins etc is like a repeat of the early days and tests and scans. It’s big surgery so to have that behind you is a real step in the right direction. Keep going the surgery recovery will improve as the days go by. How long do you stay in hospital after?
Make sure you talk through the fertility stuff long and hard. It must entail such mixed emotions. Having young kids means I feel so lucky (they’re a blessing and keep me fighting) but also the stakes feel so high and the risks of treatment not working are unthinkable. Luckily I have a supportive partner and other family around which is something which I am so grateful for. Do you have enough support around you?
It is just totally blindsiding going through this so young. I feel so naive that it never crossed my mind I’d be in this situation! It’s very scary. However the good things are the wonderful community you meet (which you never wanted to get a membership card to) and the love you can feel from others I think.
Keep us posted with surgery results if you are happy to. I really hope it is good news and you can move down the pathway! Are you in the UK? Xx