New to all this!!

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Hi there,

I have just been diagnosed with having breast cancer and cancer in my lymph nodes under my arm. I am 22 years of age and i have been told its very rare to get it at my age… WHAT A BUMMER!!!

The tumour in my breast is 5cm and the one under my arm is 3cm.
My oncologist has said its mainly pre-cancerous and that they can treat me well…

I have had my first FEC chemotherapy and luckily i have had hardly any side-effects other than severe tierdness!!! (Normal i suppose!!).

I will be going on to have a masectomy/reconstruction, radiotherapy and then medication for 5 years.

I would really like to speak to someone in a simular situation as me as it is so hard for everyone around me to understand how i feel.
I have FANTASTIC family/friends/boyfriend/collegues who i am very open with about my diagnosis. But i would like to share my experience with anyone who is in the same boat as me.

I have read some of the posts on here and i really think everyone is so amazing for being so open and positive (in some ways i suppose you have to be. I am staying as positive as i can, but some days i just feel like crying!! :P) it is a hard thing for anyone to have to face but its sounds like everyone on here is doing brill. :slight_smile:

So if anyone would like to comment on this or chat i am open to anything!!!

xxx

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Hi

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis at such a young age. I am not surprised your head is spinning. There was a thread a while back for women diagnosed in their 20’s it might be worth doing a search for that to find others in a similar situation. I am glad your chemo is going well. I am due FEC 3 on tues depending in wbc count. Good luck with your treatment. dx

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Hi xxjd_22xx

I am sorry to read of your recent diagnosis, you are in the right place for support here. I am posting some links to information which may be of help to you, we have a new resource pack which has designed for those newly diagnosed and there is specific support aimed at younger women which I have also put up a link to:

breastcancercare.org.uk/healthcare-professionals/publications/quick-order-list/*/changeTemplate/PublicationDisplay/publicationId/82/

breastcancercare.org.uk/healthcare-professionals/publications/younger-women/

Our helpline is open 9-5 weekdays and 9-2 Sat so please feel free to call, our team are able to offer you further support, information and a listening ear, the number to call is 0808 800 6000.

Take care
Lucy

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Hi,
I am sure you will get to know a lot of ladies on here, and find some your own age to go through this terrible journey. Well done on getting through your first chemo. It can be a lonely road out there, but on here there is always someone to come along and help with advice or just a general chit chat. As Midge says there was a thread about young women, perhaps you could start your own, if it is no longer there! or even put in your area, to see if there are ladies near wher you live to meet up with.
Lots of Hugs
Sandra xxx

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Hi There,

Sorry you had to join us here.

I started chemo last Monday and so far side effects have been ok for me too, with just some weariness. I’m a “bit” older than you at 49 but apparently I’m still young! (must tell my husband that).

I too have lymph node involvement, have two tumours so I am having the chemo first then the op, rads, recon etc… so understand a bit where you’re coming from as my plan is similar to yours, I’m not having FEC, I’m on 4 x EC then 4 x TAX.

My family and friends too are great, but it can be a very lonely road at times and you do wonder how you’ll manage to hold it all together, but this site is brilliant so stick with it. There’s so many women going through this horrible disease, all at different stages and of different ages, and there’s always somebody here for you. My mum has been through it twice, and it’s only now, by having it myself that I actually realise what she went through.

I think as Sandra says, if you start a “young thread”, you may be surprised by the response, as I’m sure you’ll have lots and lots of questions to ask and we “oldies” would probably be stuck for words (not you I can hear my OH say), and the answers are experiences from real people.

We often have a laugh and do general chit chat on here too, and not always bc related so somebody reading our post would think what a crazy bunch of women we are - but laughter really does help!

I hope you can continue to study during treatment, but check out the infection thing as I was told to avoid crowds, people with coughs colds etc, and you know what colleges and schools are like! If you can study at home, online etc, it may well help you get through this too.

I wish you luck with your treatment, and as they say “you are not alone”

Love & ((hugs)) Denise x

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hi xx,

I am so sorry to read about your diagnosis, what a dreadful shock for you when you are so very very young. I am 36 and feel myself to be young to have breast cancer, but there are many many other women in their thirties who have been diagnosed too. However, it is much rarer in your twenties and you may be feeling pretty isolated. Please use this forum as much as possible to help yourself, but try not to scare yourself by reading about things which may never even affect you! I did that and once somthing has been read, its really hard to “un-read” it and it plays on your mind.

There was a recent thread started for girls in their 20s, i have bumped it up for you to read. I am sure that as soon as they are next on the site, they will contact you.

Be kind to yourself, you sound like you have a fantastic support network which will stand you in good stead.Any questions, just ask, and dont be scared to add your comments to threads.

Vickie
xxx

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ps. not strong at all, i cry every day , if its bed time and i havent cried, i wonder whats wrong with me! Are you just having fec chemo or changing part way through? I had 3 fec, have had 2 tax and one tax to go.Wish i had had no side effects on fec, felt sick as a dog and still cant properly eat/drink red things!

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Hi xxjd_22xx,

I’m sorry you are having to go through this at such a young age. I was diagnosed when I was 24. So I went through similar feelings.

Young, just started on my career path, and so looked forward to the future. And then, suddenly, everything changes. Who had thought that a cancer diagnosis at our age would be around the corner!?

Good to know that you’re not having too many side effects (I’m having lots side effects on FEC, but only have one more to go!!!) Also good to know that lots of people are really supportive around you. That’s really important. Staying positive also helps, but I find that sometimes I just need to let off the steam and have a good moan and this site and the help line are great for those kind of things.

Please keep in touch.

Take care

xx

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Hi xxjd_22xx

So sorry you have had to join us.

Glad you are not having too many side effects on FEC. I have just finished my chemo. You are very young to be diagnosed but i hope you find lots of support here. There are so many lovely ladies on here to offer suport and advice. And regardless of our ages we are all fighting the same disease. I have found this forum amazing for support and advice. Wishing you all the best

Ask away if you want some info

Lots of love

Jaynexxxx

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Thanks everyone!!

Its so good to knw that others are feeling/going through the same thing. It was shocking - but the way i think of it is like im on a ride i dont want to be on, i cant get off, so ill have to bear it and continue untill it stops.

Attitude is key i think. :slight_smile:

You all sound amazing and i do wish you all best of luck also.
Thank you for your time and advice!!

P.S tors, i am just having FEC as far as i know. my OC said depending n how well i react will depend on wether they change it.

xxx

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Hi
I’m sorry to hear about yur dx.
It is hard and horrible but it sounds like you have a great support network around you. Which is great, I don’t know what I would do without mine. Although it does seem as though i am supporting them now, as my Mum is getting tired from all the worry and helping with my 2 kids.
I am having 3 FEC and 3 Tax but it may be 8 courses instead of 6 but i don’t know when we make that decision. My tumor is similar size to yours and I have it in my lymph nodes too. They are hoping to shrink it with the chemo so that i can have a lumpectomy instead, and then it’l be radiotherapy. Feels like a long and rocky road right?
I am having my 3rd FEc tomorrow. Dreading it. It almost feels somedays that I hate the chemo more than the cancer - sounds silly, i know.
Anyway, take care
Kate x