@Ashley 100% it's different just as you say...this is a generalisation of course but assuming a 55 y.o has been in the workforce for ~ 25 years, he/she is likely to have a small mortgage or nothing left at all, a decent superannuation balance and be in a position to live off their partners income or savings they may have. Note to older readers I said generalisation! I realise not everyone in Australia is in this position...
Us in our 20's... well, we're all just trying to enter the ridiculous housing market Australia has become and if we had any savings for a deposit they are likely to be partially used up during treatment.
There is also discrimination in the workforce to consider after treatment, something I feel I was recently a victim of.
I was eligible for a measly $98 a week from Centrelink, all because my husband earns a whopping (note sarcasm) $850 a week after tax. I am fortunate I had income protection insurance and took that route after learning Centrelink give you basically zero. 50% of my husbands income went to rent each week.
I am glad to hear you have your parents; I didn't have any family support during treatment but thats my sad little life story so we won't go there. My husbands family were amazing but they are in the UK.
Friends are hit and miss...I find myself not bothering to reach out anymore almost as proof if they don't contact me, they don't give a shit. They all seem to think everything is fine and dandy now treatment is done, despite me constantly saying there will always be a risk of recurrence and statistically I won't make it to old age like you all.
Fertility and body image is difficult isn't it; I have a lot of guilt I have taken my husbands chance away at becoming a father...did you have egg harvesting discussed with you at all before chemo? I completely sympathise about your scarring etc and admit I have that easier than you, being in a relationship.
Did you reach out to Samantha.roza at all? Another very vocal young BC patient is named Sofie, she's in Brisbane so we've kept in close contact but never met in person, she was 24 at diagnosis....however disclaimer she has just posted a pregnancy so be warned if you're not ready to see that! I find it comforting seeing her instagram though because she is now 12 months post treatment and its inspiring to see where we can head from here.
You can ask your breast care nurse or McGrath nurse to contact their colleagues around Australia and see if anyone else your age is currently getting treatment. Honestly having my two pals going through it all at the same time was incredible. Just having someone to text and cry with about losing hair etc who is experiencing it right then and there really helped...however its all still pretty fresh to me so if you can't find anyone and need that person, we can connect on FB/text or whatever
Exercise helps a lot for physical and mental symptoms during chemo. I walked my dog 3-5km each day and also started weight training and kept up jogging; I figured if I achieved nothing else that day except walking my dog, well I achieved that. To be outside seeing trees, water etc and then binge Netflix afterwards was very cathartic.
Take care, don't hesitate to reach out x
