37 yr old, 25 weeks pregnant & diagnosed with BC yesterday

[Guest user]

I'm sorry that you've had to enter the Breast Cancer club and also the rarer experience of being pregnant at the same time!

I was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was 12 weeks pregnant (on the same day as my scan) and as I'm sure you are finding out it is an emotional rollercoaster.

As others have said the health professionals will do everything they can to support you and if you have any concerns big or small then don't be afraid to contact them.

Due to being early on in the pregnancy I had a Mastectomy, 3 x FEC and 3 Taxotere chemo treatments whilst pregnant.  My son was born, healthy after 40 weeks and is now 5 months old. 

Please feel free to inbox me if ever you want to chat. I am also on the facebook group: Maria Hopkins - I have the pic with a cupcake next to my face .

Big hugs xxx

[Guest user]

Hi LG1,

hope you are hanging on in there. so sorry to hear your diagnosis. i am 37 and discovered my 'lump' when breastfeeding my baby (now 5mths). i am now almost half way through chemo (3rd this friday) and doing ok.  surgery is to follow for me then radiotherapy. i'm sure things are happening like greased lightening, i was amazed by how quickly the process has gone so far, but i hope you are able to cope. i wish you well and hope you have some answers and a plan now. hugs xxxx

[FurryBoots]

Hi LG1, so sorry to hear this. It's utterly devastating when you're first diagnosed, and to be pregnant it must be a nightmare. There are a few lades on the Younger breast Cancer Network (YBCN) on facebook who have had chemo during pregnancy. Search the public page Younger Breast Cancer Network  (UK) and email the admin asking to join the private group (only private group members will see your posts). Big hugs xx

[Mindy63]

I am so sorry to hear your news and hope you have lots and lots of support. My tumour was discovered in late August 2012 but I didn't have surgery until October. I think this was because they wanted me to have an MRI and unfortunately the initial biopsy had given me severe bruising and they had to wait till it calmed down before I could get that test. I then started my chemo at the very end of November. So it was basically 3 months from diagnosis to getting the nasty chemicals. In a long winded way I'm trying to say you may have a delay before surgery/chemo which will give you time to get used to the news and for your wee baby to continue to develop and mature but i don't know if they get started earlier when you're pregnant.
I will keep everything crossed for you.

[lorjema]

Hi LG1,
I'm so sorry to hear of your diagnosis, it is news that nothing and no-one can prepare you to hear. We are all here to listen and help.
The reason I am replying to your post is that I was in the very same situation as yourself, although I was only 28 when I was diagnosed with cancer whilst I was 25 weeks pregnant with my second child too.
It was a crazy, crazy roller coaster ride, but rest assured your obstetrician and oncologist will only do what is best for you and your bump, neither of you will be jeopardised.
The care I recieved was second to none (it was NHS), I had regular check up's with all my doctors on a regular basis, regular scans. Nothing was left to chance. I had both surgery and chemo whilst pregnant neither of which had any effect on my son who is now a mountain of a baby age 14 months. I also worked right up to the last couple of weeks before my due date.
Make sure you rally all your family and friends around you because as you go on your journey will need as much strength as you can muster, nut remember it IS do-able 🙂
On a side note - At the time my partner went to the doctors and explained our situation, they were very sympathetic and signed him off for 6 months to help with the newborn whilst I underwent the worst of the chemo and radio after baby was born. Whilst I appreciate that not every company has a great policy about pay when signed off, if you have this option open to you, I urge you to do this when you feel the time is right.
I am here, and happy to listen or answer any questions that I can.
Feel free to PM
Lorna xx

[Guest user]

Hi All,
Thank you all for your support and help. I will see if I can find the facebook page and I am just about to look at the 'Pregnancy & Breast Cancer' pdf sent by Swissmiss.
I will try to keep you updated on how things go.
Thank you again so much X

[Swissmiss]

Hi LG
The best of times and the worst! Sorry you have to join us on here but hopefully you will find some support from others who are in a similar situation to you. The group that lynsey44 refers to seems to be very popular and I do think many ladies who are dx join this forum and then make their way to the Facebook group and in fact I think a few of our newly dx and pregnant ladies may have joined recently so if you do decide to join hopefully you can all support each other as your pregnancies progress.

In May 2006 I was dx when I was 30 weeks pregnant and had surgery a few days later. It all happened so quickly that I am not even sure whether my surgeon spoke to my obst at that point. However, it is vital that both your surgeon and obs and onc (if you do require further treatment such as chemo etc) do all work together and that you have confidence in your medical team because although numbers are rising, it is still rare to have a bc dx whilst pregnant so not many hospitals have experience with this. In fact, this is one of the questions you can ask all of them.
Another important factor will be your pathology results which once they are to hand will determine what treatment you will need and whether they need to start treatment sooner rather than later. There are a few ladies on here who have had to have chemo whilst pregnant and have gone on to have healthy babies. They may also consider inducing baby a few weeks early.
This happened to me, I had surgery at 30 weeks and then they tried to induce me at 35 weeks but baby was staying put. It wasn't until I was 36 weeks and 6 days (precisely!) that my baby was induced. Two weeks later I started chemo. If you do need to have chemo after baby is born the hospital will try and avoid a C-section if at all possible because of the length of time it takes to heal and to avoid any complications/infections. Basically my onc said from the moment I was dx I had a 12 week window in which I needed to start chemo and I ended up starting it 9 weeks from dx. Again, this will all depend on your pathology results.
It will be a worrying and terrifying time for you at the moment and you may feel very isolated compared to other pregnant mums because of your dx. Do you have family/friends support around who can help? Please remember though that all the medical team will be fighting your corner to get the best outcome here for you and baby. I remember my surgeon telling me that he had 2 patients he was dealing with!

It may be helpful if you get the time to read through the other posts in the pregnancy category. I notice that Sam has provided the link for the BCC publication but have a look at this other link too which you may find helpful:-
http://www.rcog.org.uk/files/rcog-corp/GTG12PregBreastCancer.pdf
I hope your appointments go well this week and please keep us posted if you can. You will draw strength that you possibly didn't think you had from your growing baby, your other child and your husband so hold onto that. With best wishes. Love xxx

[lynsey44]

Hi LG
Like Poemsgalore i cant begin to imagine how you are feeling right now. I just wanted to say there is a facebook group for younger women with breast cancer and i know there is some women in the group who will be able to offer you advice. If you feel like joining us search for younger breast cancer network (uk) i have gound this group a great support.
Big hugs
Lynsey xx

[poemsgalore]

Hi LG
I didn't just want to read and run. I can't begin to imagine how devastated you must feel. It's bad enough being diagnosed with BC, but while you are pregnant!!
I see you have already found the thread for those just diagnosed while pregnant, so I hope you get some advice and support from there.
One word of advice, please don't Google. Just stick with this site and the Macmillan site. Dr Google is reknown for telling porkies, or giving out information which is either out of date or wrong.
Sending big hugs and best wishes.
Poemsgalore xx

[Sam_BCC]

Hi LG

Firstly, welcome to the forums, I hope you will find it a great source of information and support.

I'm sorry to read of your diagnosis, the first few days and weeks are always difficult when coming to terms with things especially in a situation like yours.

Whilst you wait for the other users to reply with there experience and knowledge you might find it helpful to order the BCC publication 'breast cancer during pregnancy' If you would like to order a copy just follow the link bellow:-

http://www2.breastcancercare.org.uk/publications/diagnosed-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-during-pregna...

Also, do give the helpline a ring if you need any further support or information. They're on 0808 800 6000. Open 9-5 Monday to Friday and 10-2 Saturday.

Best wishes Sam, BCC Facilitator

[Guest user]

Hi, I am 25 weeks pregnant with my second child and was diagnosed yesterday with BC. I don't think it has really sunk in with either myself or husband. I am seeing the obstetrician next Thursday and the breast consultant next Friday once they have all had a meeting what to do. I was in real shock yesterday when the surgeon wanted to book me in for surgeory next Friday until he spoke to Obs and they want to wait at least until I am 30 weeks pregnant. Has anyone else had similar?