Forum Discussion
Early BC young woman
Hi there everyone, my name is Melissa & I was diagnosed in May with very early stage BC HER2+, I just turned 30 in March. I know it may not be so recent, but I wanted to reach out & share my story & hope to seek comfort that I am obviously not alone out there. It has been somewhat quite confronting to say the least. My first thought was, how is that possible. No family history, overall C is rare in the family, I am 30, surely they have got it wrong. Surgery was a success, a tiny lump removed & on June 1st I was cleared of all cancer, after undergoing all their routine tests. However my oncologists said I would still need Chemotherapy and Raditation + the wonder drug Herceptin as a preventative, as much as I technically didn't have cancer anymore. 1st round of chemo was abit rough, I ended up in hospital, being neautropentic, however recovered well within a few days. I guess the Chemo basically did it's job. I had my 2nd round of chemo last Friday & doing much better than the 1st. I have a great support network in my family, but it can be so mentally challenging :(, some days I feel lost, so overwhelmed and anxious. Is it normal to feel the anxiety of it all, feeling like I don't want to do this. I know the mind is a powerful thing, but it gets lost in all the worrying and sometimes I feel like I am worrying for no reason even though my body may feel okay. I feel even though it's a few months in and already half way through Chemo, I still haven't accepted that his is happening xo
19 Replies
- I also think that all of us come out stronger than ever after having gone through this journey
- What you feel is normal and your team are doing exactly what is needed for the very best outcomes. My niece had bc in her early 30s which was a her2+ cancer. She has 10 positive nodes. With chemo and herceptin she remains cancer free 14 years on. I thought if her a lot during my treatment. Mine was Es + and her2+ (age 51) but same regime and no nodes. She referred to herceptin as liquid gold, she was on the trials for it. Yes chemo sucks. Cancer sucks. But know you are doing all this so you will remain NED ...no evidence of disease...and not just for 5 years...for life. Take care. Kath x
- Melissa Socoda's suggestion about the Cancer Council I recommend.I rang in despair within 3 days I had a call from a lady in Brisbane of similar age and type bc who had taken the same road as me and gotten thru.It's called Cancer Connect - to hear her voice and talk to her at length was wonderful.Also I reiterate there is so much support on this site from others going thru it - bc is a great leveller - age/ background no longer seem to matter - everyone here has had their world upended .The important message is you are not alone and we all help each other.Keep communicating and reaching out - we are here . The BCNA kit is worth a good read not just on medical stuff but what questions to ask and other places to get support Maybe when you're ready you might search out a local bc support group .
- Melissa, well we are all here for you to talk to or bounce off, it helps so much when we all get it! I do think you'd benefit from some counseling too, it helps more than you know. The other thing I wanted to say to you was, majority of Breast Cancer is not hereditary, it's like 5% so 95% of Breast Cancer is completely random. I'd been getting mammos since I was 38 only because my Mum had BC at 40, there is nobody else in the family. I got it at 43 but was well ahead of it. I don't have the BRCA Gene and the good news is my daughter who is nearly 20 risk is only about 2% higher than the normal population. There is no rhyme or reason to it, it absolutely rips your world apart, so its important to keep talking and get some help to get through. Hugs Melinda xo
- @Zoffiel - thanks Marg I will keep going, determined to get through it all of course day by day xxx
- It sucks what ever age you are but sucks even worse when you are young. Keep going, Melissa. Good luck. Marg xxx
- @MelissaD don't forget you can also phone the cancer council 131120 if you're feeling a bit down, overwhelmed or just need to chat to someone who gets it - you don't have to be feeling well enough to see any one :) - worrying and stressing unfortunately comes with the diagnosis but talking about it does help. I don't think any of us make it through without feeling emotional so don't think you should be holding it all in, or dealing with it. Release your emotions - it helps and is good for you. Xx
- @MelissaD, I too had the fibrodoemas/ breast mice since my early twenties. Unfortunately when I noticed this latest lump, I ignored it as I was caring for my mum,she had terminal cancer and I was a mess and just didn't care. Mine was stage3 grade 2 and very large. I'm only b cup and lump hasn't shrunk enough with chemo so mastectomy only choice. Good on you for being vigilant and getting it checked.
- Thanks @socoda, I think I may have come across that one earlier on. I will have to take another look. Considering the circumstances I am doing ok, though I really do have my days as I worry and stress & as much as I am half way through Chemo I still think I don't want to do this, why should I have to put my body through this and my thoughts get so overwhelming, again feeling like it's a bad dream but I have to think to myself I was cleared and as I'm so young they are hitting me strong with all treatments as I have a great prognosis & advise its preventative. Still scary
