I'm 28yo. New to this. Found out about me having breast cancer at the start of October. Thought its better to keep a blog than writing in a journal/diary. I'm more of a device kinda girl! I also wanted to see if there's anyone out there my age who has also been diagnosed with this stoobi sickness - their experiences/stories etc.. I've started my first out of 8 cycles of chemo two weeks ago. I have to go once every three weeks.. I've had biopsy of my lymph nodes-my arm/underarm hurts and is swollen.

Hello Missy Meow and welcome to this wonderful site. I can not believe how many young girls like youself are being diagnosed with BC lately. You all seem to be getting younger and younger. There will be heaps of support on this great site for you though and there is some great groups available for youngies like youself. You will find the groups on the right hand side of the page. If you need any assistance at all with anything just let us know. There is also a search button up the top where you can find all the precious posts on various subjects. I hope you have managed to either be given a My Journey Kit through your breast nurse, ordered it online through this site or phoned to order it. Details about this and various other information is at the bottom of the page. Do you have a lot of family and friends to give you lots of love and support. What type of cancer do you have? What area do you live in as there are a lot of wonderful groups to support you spread all over Oz. Just let us know if we can do anything to help in anyway. I am 2 years nearly post my diagnosis so I have been there and done that so can help with advice along with many many other ladies on this site. We have all been where you are now sweet. Lots of love, Mich xoxoxoxoxo

Hi missy meow, Agree, there is so much support out there, which you will find that you call on as you need help or stumble into another unfamiliar stage of this journey. People really do want to help, so let them! It makes them feel good too. I was diagnosed August 12, age 40 and had the works - double mastectomy, AC+Paclitaxel chemo then radiotherapy and now on Tamoxifen. I finished treatment in May13, and am pleased to say, life has returned to normal. One of the things that surprised me most of all was how long the process took - this is a marathon, not a sprint, so take good care of yourself and pace yourself. Apart from all the wonderful booklets from BCNA and the info on this site, the best resource I found was a book by Prof John Boyages called Breast Cancer: Taking Control. Such a wealth of information and could be available at your local cancer clinic/hospital. It talks you through the whole process from beginning to end, and in my experience, forewarned was for-armed as they say! Pretty much a map to help you understand the treatment and the many options right from beginning to end. It really helped me understand this new cancer language and have more meaningful conversations with my medical team. So you're 1 chemo down, 7 to go. I found breaking the process down into bite-size chunks the way to go. Just focus on the next step in front of you. Hair generally falls out about Day 17/18 after first chemo, so watch out for that one! Best to be prepared for what you will do (ie, wig/scarves/naked?) as that was a really challenging time and for me, really made it feel 'real'. Good luck! Keep your chin up! xx

Hi noobie Missy Meow :) Crappy to meet you under these circumstances! Im 33 now, 31 when diagnosed. There's lots of us on the Young Pink Sisters facebook site. It's a closed group for members only so you need to be 'added'. What's your name on Facebook luv? Merrylee Punchard might just see this post and add you straight away - or even better email youngpinksiters@hotmail.com xxx

Hi missy meow I wish none of us had to meet/chat under these circumstances, I was diagnosed 28th June 2013 37 years old, I've had my last round (round 6) of chemo Wednesday 13th November, it's no picnic but with support & love & the medications available you will get through it Good luck with everything I have found just reading others stories comforting & we all cope in the best ways we can at that point in time Take care xxx rach

Thank you Kim for recommending YPS .... Would love to add you Missy meow. & would love to meet u in person if your interested. We have alot of events on in Melbourne for young women diagnosed with bc. Myself I was diagnosed at 28 also. gone thru alot of stuff - i could write you a long essay but im really tired. feel free to email me at youngpinksisters@hotmail.com or via this site. Merylee Punchard

28yo noobie | BCNA Online Network

22 Replies

Kermit
Member
12 years ago
Hi Missy Meow,

I am new to this site and am not on line much as I don't have the internet at home.

I feel for you and what you're going through. I was diagnosed at 22yrs old in 1999. I am now 37yrs old and I am well and cancer free. I had many rounds of chemotherapy and then radiotherapy to try to shrink the lump but unfortunately that didn't work and I had to have a mastectomy of my left breast and removal of at least half my nodes followed by more chemo.

It was and still is very traumatic to live with as my surgeon didn't take into account my being so young and that reconstruction would be very important to my sense of womanhood and emotional wellbeing. So I have been unable to be reconstructed and as a young woman that has been one of the most challenging things to have to live with.

There is so much more technology and medical knowledge out there now. When I went through my journey there wern't many young women diagnosed and I guess it was a learning time for all involved. I wish I had places and people I could have talked to who could have helped give me advice. All I can recommend is get as many opinions as you can. Ask all the questions you can think of. No question is dumb or stupid when you are going through something so scary. Look into all your options before going through with anything.

I also feel that diet and exercise are hugely important as is our emotional wellbeing. I think the combination of these things have a significant impact on our health and I believe that is why so many more people, especially young people are getting breast cancer now.

I hope everything goes well for you. If you want to ask me anything feel free. I am only able to get on the internet every so often. But I will always checkin whenever I can.

Mel (Kermit)
polkadotbowsoph
Member
12 years ago
Hello :) Again another young one! I was diagnosed at 24 I am 26 now if you need any help or advice email me at sophiepolkadotbow@hotmail.com as at our age the issues we face seem to be so different from older people I was busy worrying about work and how I was going to rock my wig at the pub on a Friday night haha anyway iof you ever need to chat I'm here :)
yme71
Member
12 years ago
Yes, had my nodes removed and it was very sore and tight t first and hurt way more than the mastectomy!

Best advice I can give is make sure you do the gentle stretching exercises a couple of times a day. I found I needed to do them for first few months after surgery too, but the good news is, I have full mobility back and no pain so its worth it.

Have you been put in touch with a breat care nurse? They can show you (or loan you a video) of the recommended exercises. Ask your nurse about "cording" (that rubber band feeling might need special attention).
yme71
Member
12 years ago
The book costs around $30-40

But many hospitals have a cancer support center which contains a library of relevant books, cd's and videos which you can borrow for free!
missy_meow
Member
12 years ago
Did u get ur lymph nodes taken out? I can't stretch my arm properly.. I can feel like rubberband like in my underarm when I stretch.. Is this normal? I can't reach for things I'm worried I will stay this way :(
Kirboxx
Member
12 years ago
it all depends on the type of cancer you have, what grade it is etc. I did 3 rounds of FEC then 3 rounds of docataxel. If you want to know more it's best to ask your oncologist :)
missy_meow
Member
12 years ago
Spanx for the advice! Goodluck next Friday!
missy_meow
Member
12 years ago
Thank you so much for your msg.. Just wondering-why is it some ppl have fewer cycles of chemo.. And what is all the diff kind of chemos for? Isn't it supposed to do the same thing..... Ughhhh.. Compusing!
Kirboxx
Member
12 years ago
it's a private group where we gather to talk, ask advice, vent and just be ourselves with other women with breast cancer. :)
missy_meow
Member
12 years ago
Thanks heaps!! Is it like a whole group chat? I deactivated my fb but activated it again for this YPS group.. :) xx