Hi Ladies…
I’m Lauren, 25yrs old with 2 babies 3yrs & 10months and have just been diagnosed with breast cancer …
I will need a masectomy & chemo and am going into hospital on friday…This week seems so full with tests etc!!
Need a little support from people who understand what i’m going/going to be going through…
Thanks in advance.x.x.x.x.
Hi Lauren
I am so sorry to hear of your diagnosis, I am quite a bit older than you at 44 with two big babies 24 and 21, I too am going into hospital on Friday to have a mastectomy so prehaps we can compare notes!!! I don’t really know what to expect as such as I didn’t want to know just want it done out of the way. I can’t handle too much detail!!!
I keep loosing the plot and just breaking down and I am sure you are the same. We will get through this
Deb x
Hi there Lauren and welcome to the forums.
I am posting to let you know that Breast Cancer Care have published a Resource Pack, it has been designed for anyone newly diagnosed with information to help you better understand your diagnosis, test results and various treatments, it is available via the following link or by contacting the helpline:
breastcancercare.org.uk//content.php?page_id=7514
You may find our helpline useful to call to talk through any concerns that you may have, they can talk to you about our other support services too and also offer support, information and a ‘listening ear’. The number to call is 0808 800 6000 Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm, Saturday, 9am - 2pm. I hope you find this helpful.
Best wishes
Lucy
Hi Lauren
I am so sorry to hear your news. I also have 2 yong children as do many others on this site. Mine are 18mnths and 6yrs old and I had Mastectomy Feb with full axillary clearance.
You will find lots of comfort and suport on here, please feel free to ask questions, shout, sceam. sometimes laugh
( comes later) but most of all know you are not alone. We are all here for you…
sending you a huge hug for now
((((((((((hug)))))))))))
P xx
Hi Lauren
So sorry to hear that you have had to join us here. I am 40 and have two children who are 17 and 13. I am waiting for surgery next Wednesday and am counting down the days.
I really have had a lot of support from this site and it has kept me going. It really helps to know that you are not alone.
Thinking of you.
Claire x
Hi Lauren,
I am so sorry you’ve had to join us, but ‘welcome’ to this most awesome site. I was diagnosed with bc in March last year, age 34. I had a right mastectomy and total axillary clearance a week after diagnosis. Then had chemo May-Oct, then rads and now I am on Tamoxifen and Zoladex as my tumour was hormone receptive. Phew!!! Anyway, before I was diagnosed I knew v.little about bc to be honest, and it has been a VERY steep learning curve for me and those closest to me.
Your mind will be in a whirl over the coming weeks and months, as you try to make sense of all that is happening to you. Rest assured that we all totally understand what you are going through right now, as we have all been there ourselves. If ever you need to scream or shout, share some good news or just sound us out about a few things then I’m sure you’ll find loads of support from fellow forum users. The ‘younger women’ page is particularly good, check it out if you haven’t already.
Do you know if you are having surgery or chemo first? I guess either way it’ll happen pretty quickly after your appt on friday, they don’t tend to hang around which is good.
I wish you well as you start out on this journey. Be sure to keep in touch and let us know how you get on on friday.
Take care and I’ll be thinking of you,
Kelly
-x-
Hi Lauren,
So Sorry to hear your news, I a a bit older than you (42) and have a four year old and 22 month old. I found out a week ago and also have to have a masectomy and chemo, however no date for the hospital yet… just more people to see. At least once the treatment gets moving you can feel as if something is being done to deal with it.
Thinking of you, let us know how you get on.
Helen x
Hi Helen
Sorry to hear your news too. I am 43 and was dx in Jan after a 3 month wait of “benign” tests. Mine was IDC grade 3 Iam now on chemo then radiotherapy. My lump was reomoved in Dec then they wanted to get a clear margin but I opted for a mastectomy so had that 1st Feb. As you say is better once things are moving forward.
So how are you doing? what more tests are you having done?
Thinking of you
Best wishes
P x
Hello Ladies…Thankyou soooo much for replying, it makes me feel better to know i’m not alone and other people are going through the same…
I went to see my breast nurse yesterday and she took me through everything-even the chemo and i’m now understanding a little more!
I go in for masectomy on friday, stay in 5 days and then chemo will start when i’m healed…I’m not going to try the cold cap, but i will have my hair cut very short to save my little girl from asking too many questions… Not feeling anything right now, maybe i’m in shock, maybe i’m taking it well?? Maybe it’ll hit me when i’m in hosp… Have had to breastfeeding straight away so one breast is very engorged and sore, but this is the least of my worries!!
Thanks again for your kind words & support…Think i’m going to need you over the coming year!!
Lauren.x.
Hi Lauren,
just wanted to wish you all the very best for your op on friday. Like you, I also had my mastectomy before chemo and opted to get my long hair cut very short. I got it done just before I went in for my op as I couldn’t be bothered with straighteners and things while I was in hosp! Personally I didn’t fancy the cold cap either, wasn’t happy about the fact that it stops the chemo from getting to the brain, and also I hate the cold!! My boyfriend actually shaved my hair off for me the day we got home from my first chemo.
Anyway, all the very best for your op, and I hope you have a speedy recovery. Be sure to do all your exercises regularly, I found the ‘exercises after breast surgery’ booklet from this site was excellant and I took it into hosp with me. I would defo recommend you order it if you haven’t already,
Take care,
Kelly
-x-
Thanks Kelly…Really just wanting to go out now n get hair cut!!! Trying to hold back…
Thanks again to you all.x.x.x.
On the subject of exercises, I has wide local excision and axillarry dissection 1 Feb. Started exercises the morning after and no problems with using my arm no. As I’m a student chiropractor, use of hands is rather important to me.
Good luck and big hugs.
By the way, you can get really fun wigs through a certain well-known auction website for the price of an inexpensive top. Maybe you and little girl could play ‘dress up’ together? I’m old enough to be your mum but, trust me, my pink wig lifts my spirits every time i put it on!
Love and hugs
a
x
HI Lauren
Im Lisa - and 42 is a couple of weeks. My baby is 23! Im with you also, and due a masectomy next week. Not sure after that because they dont know a lot about mine yet since I dont have a lump, jsut calcifications behind the nipple. SO it’s all off! There are a lot of us - you are not alone. Good luck XX
Hi Lauren,
Firstly I am so sorry to hear about your bad news. Its such as shock to the system at any time but especially when your kids and so little. I was dx dec 07 2 weeks after my 34th birthday and never thought I would ever have such an illness as I didn’t smoke, drink, eat red meat had 2 kids b4 30 and 1 at 32. My kids are 7,4, and 1.5 at the time of DX. I thought it was the end for me initally but, there is a light at the end on the tunnel. The hardest bit more me so far was not knowing the type of cancer, grade, staging etc etc., I had a lumpectomy and a further clearance. I did have invlolvement in my lymp nodes which i found difficult to accept and still do. I’m currently going through chemo at the moment and it not as bad as people make out. Yes you do have bad days but more good than bad. Have you got family near by to help out with the little ones as at times you will need that support. I’ve been very open with my 7 and 4 year old and told them mommy found a spot in her booby and it needs taking out hence no picking up after the op. i showed them the scares and also told them about chemo is a special medician to take away any bugs left over, but it might be a bit difficult for your 3yr old to under stand.
Try not to worry as and good luck for friday.
(((HUGS))))
Sukes
Hi Lauren
You may find of interest a new publication Mummy’s Lump, this is the UK’s first-ever book to help young children whose mums have been diagnosed with breast cancer, the book is aimed at the under-sixes. For more information about the book and to order a free copy either see the link breastcancercare.org.uk/content.php?page_id=12225 or contact the helpline on 0808 800 6000
Kind regards
Katie
Hi lauren
I’m just new to this forum today. I’m 37 and was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma on 27th Feb 2008. What a shock I can tell you! i had a mastectomy on Friday 7th March 2008 and started chemo 3 weeks after.
my advice is to take one step at a time. dont let things rush ahead in your mind and block out the ‘what if’ questions. You will be in such good hands. keep telling yourself ‘one step at a time’. now is about you; let yourself be looked after! Your friends and family will be amazing! My oncologist said to me ‘now is not the time to be Superwoman’. so listen to your body and let those who care help you.
as soon as you can after the op try some movements in the arm. And stick rigidly to any physiotherapy.
you are only a few steps behind me: take it easy: good luck. one step at atime mind!
A x
Hello,
Sorry to hear your news. I was diagnosed with breast cancer last July aged 35, had mastectomy 10 days later. My children were 3 years and 9 months at the time. Finished my last chemo just before Xmas.I choose not to have cold cap prefering to get home to my children. I bought a wig but never wore it opting for bandanas and headscarves. My little girl loved wearing my headscarves and told me regularly how lovely I looked. She also loves playing with my prosthesis, throwing mummy’s boobie around the room!!! Can be abit embarassing when she wants to look down my top in public!! Am now back at work, taking tamoxifen for the next 5 years and awaiting reconstruction. There is light at the end of the tunnel!
Best wishes for friday, my breast surgery ward were very supportive allowing my children to take over the dayroom with DVDs etc.
Christine
Hi,
I was diagnosed may 05, i was 15 weeks pregant at the time with son no 6 ( no daughters hence 6 sons), i can easily say it was the most terrifying and isolating thing that has ever happened. We had not long moved to a new area and had absolutely no one to help us, my family all down south and partners all in ireland, but we managed and the kids actually kept us sane! My the 3 year old delighted in telling everyone mummy had three boobs and that i kept two in a drawer, the look on peoples faces were i sight! Funny little things like that still make us giggle!! This sight has been a godsend although i dont often reply to threads i still log on everyday to see how everyone is doing!
Good luck for friday and let us all know how you are doing XX
Hi Lauren
How are you feeling today ( 2 days to go) I feel a bit better about things now, I know a bit more having spoken to my BC nurse today she is coming to see me before the op, I could have gone and seen her today but after going yesterday as well really didn’t feel like it. From what I can gather they are taking a sample of my lymph nodes so not all I think. And she is also going to try and arrange that my son can come in for 10 mins on saturday on the way home from the airport, it will probably be around 9.30 ish but she said she will see what she can do , as I haven’t seen him sinced september. Where are your babies going?? and how long did they say you will be in for?? I am hoping to be out on Sunday but maybe Monday. Hope you are feeling ok I must say you seem very ‘together’
love Deb x
Thankyou for the messages ladies… I’ve now been home for 2 days and am still feeling very positive about everything!! Although today i’m in a little more pain and feeling a bit ‘drugged up’…My eyes are heavy so may need a little sleep!
It’s great to know that so many other people are in the same boat as me, and know how i’m feeling…
Looking forward to my reconstruction but taking everything else one day at a time!..
Gotta have a little lay down now, lots a love.x.x…x.