Hi, i’m 28 years old and was told last week i have breast cancer. since then i’ve been told its grade 3 and will need a mastectomy in 2 weeks. I have a 2 two year old and a 16 week old baby. I feel very scared and would love to hear some words of encouragment.
Jesus, i thought i had a hard deal being diagnosed at 32. I have a 10 mth old and a 2yr old. Mine is grade 3 but managed to have lump removed as i have big boobs! Was my choice too.
Start chemo in 13 days.
The beginning bit of diagnosis is S**t. No point beating around bush but as the picture becomes clearer and the plan in place it feels more manageable. The op soons comes round and i found it ok-altho it wasnt a mastectomy. I was off the ward in 5hrs and straight home to help bath my girls. Every step has been better than i thought. Had a wig fitting today and even that went ok. I dont kid myself. I am still heavily in denial and probably will be until chemo starts but i no longer feel out of control with the diagnosis now like a did a few weeks ago.
Keep asking questions. Read up a little bit- not too much as youll get freaked. Get plans in place.
You will need lots of help with your babies- have you got it?
Have you got a partner? If you do lean on him where possible.
Overall, keep thinknig your kids wont remember this phase of your life as they are too youung and all of this is for your fantastic future with them. A necessary evil to be conquered.
Good good luck
Keep posting here. the friends needed-dignosed in may thread is friendly.
sue
xx
Hi,
I too found out yesterday that I have breast cancer…I am 33 years old…I stupidly thought it was a disease for the elderly ladies…but am fast learning that it isnt !!! Felt so alone and isolated waiting to hear my news…I must have been the only person below 50 in the waiting room !!!
I have two little girls…a 2yr old and 5 yr old…and am so scared cos I just want to protect them from it all !
I’ve just been told Ive got to go in for my op next Thurs…Im having a lumpectomy and my lymph nodes removed…it will then be followed up by chemo and radio…they are gonna throw the lot at me.
Am trying to stay positive…at our age and with all the treatments available there is lots they can do to help us beat this cruel twist of fate that we have been dealt. But with family and friends support we will beat this…my two beautiful girls will get me through the dark days…and hopefully some friends of this site !!
I wish you well…keep in touch Sally xxx
Hi Charlotte, welcome to the BCC forums,
I am sure you will continue to recieve support from your fellow users, in addition BCC can offer you further support and information. The following links will take you to a couple of our publications, the first of which is specifically aimed at younger women which you may find helpful to read, the other is a resource pack to help you to better understand your diagnosis and treatments:
breastcancercare.org.uk/server/show/nav.718/changeTemplate/PublicationDisplay/publicationId/80
breastcancercare.org.uk/server/show/nav.718/changeTemplate/PublicationDisplay/publicationId/8
Our helpline is on 0808 800 6000 and is open Mon-Fri 9-5 and Sat 9-2, you are welcome to call for a confidential chat with one of our helpline team for support and more information about any of our services.
Best wishes
Lucy
Hi Charlotte
So sorry you’re going through this, regardless of age. I think being diagnosed with bc is just as shocking whether you’re 20 or 70. I was diagnosed recently aged 36. I think it’s hereditary as my mum died of bc at 41 (is there any history in your family?). I’m due to have bilateral mastectomy (my choice) when I get back off hols in 3 weeks time.
I felt like my world had fallen apart when diagnosed. However, it was preferable to the waiting for the results I’d been doing 11 days before. At least I knew what I was dealing with and could make a plan. You must try and stay positive; bc is not a death sentence these days. You have age and health on your side too, which will help during the treatment. I feel very positive mostly, although I do still have the odd wobble! Keep talking to us, you’ll find lots of support on here and will even get to have a giggle, especially if you join the thread Sue mentioned; we’re a crazy bunch on there!!
Chin up luv and good luck with the op. Let us know how it goes.
Hugs and love,
Caro xx
Thanks so much for your positive comments,I’m feeling better today and more positive - think it helps that husband is at home today as the days don’t seem as long!!! I told work yesterday which was my next big step - actually having to admit it to those other than family! The positive side to work is that i get a longer time off with my babies! My body and bone scans are booked for next week - did anyone else have this done? he said it was routine because of my age?
Charlotte, sorry you have had to join us, its a scary journey no matter what age! Everyone on here is brill and its such a good support has been my life line. I’ve just started chemo was dx 3rd march.
Take care and come on here, it helps, love Debs xx
hey charlott i kinda feel the same as was due back to work 1st juen after a year off so now i wont be back before next year!
The scans are hospital policy. My hospital does not offer it as they said its a 1% chance the cancer is elsewhere and the funding doesnt warrant it! Seeing as i was told my cancer was 99% benign and harmless doesnt fill me with confidence!
My chemo starts in 12 days now…ticking down.
My lovely wig is in the hallwayy now and my little girl is eye balling it suspiciously! she was not keen. destined to be a bald mummy i feel if she continues to cry!
hey ho
Hope weekend is restful as possible, Going to teddy bear picnic for fathers day tomorrow weather willing!
sue
hya,
Just wanted to join in and say its definately not the end of the world,i was diagnosed march,am 38,with two little babies to take care of as well as an older family.Its hard going as i decided to take the chemo first then the op afterwards,purely my choice to get the chemo in there to minimise risk of spread as i have it in my main lymph node.
Take things easy,be kind to urself,i realy should practice what i preach actually haha,anybody on facebook that wants to chat or just be somewhere ‘in common’ please dont hesitate to add me sharon fox (west mids network).I write my blog for a local newspaper every week which helps me knowing im raising awareness not from a celebrities point of view,not from an expert/doctors point of view just me,a normal working mommys point of view of gettin dealt with the crappy cancer card far too early in life !!
Keep smiling,take each day as it comes and remember the key thing is negative thoughts make u feel worse and that doesnt help your progress:-)
love to u all xxxxxxxx
Hey Charlotte and Sally (and others)
So sorry you have had to join us on here, but believe me when I say that you will make new friends who will do their best to help you through this.
I’m 38 with a 10 month old baby boy and was diagnosed four weeks ago. Have had two lots of surgery (lumpectomy and then sample lymph node removal) and am due to start Radiotherapy and hormone treatment in a few weeks (after my baby’s christening in Spain!)
Being a new mum is hard enough without this added pressure. As others have already said, take offers of help, either babysitting or helping with housework, or even just to get out of the house and meet a friend for an hour. I think I spent the first couple of weeks in total denial, and I agree - it is very hard telling people about it. So far, everyone I’ve told has said that their mum or aunty or grandma has had it, but I only know of one other younger person like me. Guess we’re just blooming unlucky, but our babies (and each other) will keep us going!!
Love to you all …
She xx
Hi Charlotte & all
I too am 28, I was diagnosed in late April (grade 3) and had a Mastectomy & full lymph removal 6 weeks ago. I’m due to start Chemo (FEC) on Wed… eeeeek!
Charlotte, I’ve found these forums invaluable and a massive comfort. I know everyone is different but I found my strength from learning as much as possible, and taking note from all of the brilliant posts on here.
When I first joined this club and posted on here, someone advised me to only focus on what lies directly in front of you, and not get swept away with other processes that lie ahead in the future. This was brilliant advice too.
Keep in touch with us.
Good luck and much love to all
AM xx
i was 37 at first diagnosis 3 years ago but got a new primary last month.
it is all a big shock and so much to take in with lots of waiting for results etc.
i have kids too but had them when i was young so they are 24 and a18 but 18yr old daughter has learning disability and mental health probs so is hard work.
i think no matter what age you are its bloody scary… but i just wish i was older when i got it so i dont have to worry about it coming back to bite me in the bum… but we dont get much choice in these things.
i started my first cycle of chemo on thurs its epirubicin (the E bit in FEC) and i actually feel mighty fine… a bit of a headache and dry mouth but not much else… i get 4 cycles of the then get 4 of CMF (the C and the F of FEC plus methotrexate)… but will deal with that one nearer the time.
the epi is red and makes you pee pink… i like pink anyway lol… it also makes you hair fall out unless you use the cold cap but no guarantees that will work as its very individual… i hate brain freeze when i eat ice cream so didnt fancy it… although it was never offered to me anyway.
everybody tells you to stay positive but if it is all getting on top of you dont be afraid to speak to your GP to get something to calm you or help you sleep and speak to your BCN who can be really helpful with advice and reassurance too… it definitely does get a bit easier in time.
im also on facebook Lulu L (NHS and Edinburgh networks).
Sorry for the late reply to the thread but just wanted to say Hi to everyone.
Like everyone here i’m young(ish) 39, have 3 children 11,10 and 3. The 3 year old is a mummy’s girl and wont allow anyone but me to put her to bed etc which is hard but she know’s no different.
I’ve had 2 ops and various tests and start chemo on wednesday.
Hope to chat more to all of you that i’m not in touch with already as more friends for help and advice the better.
GinaXX