Hi, I am a newby to this posting but feel it is a good idea to share as all your posts have been helpful to me. Over the last 2 weeks I have spent everyday getting ultrasounds, Mammograms, Core Biopsy and then MRI. With it being over Easter period the public holidays have caused a lot of waiting/thinking time. I still held hope that I just have some unusual, firm Breast Tissue as all results before MRI were inconclusive. Unfortunately the MRI has shown a large mass of DCIS 8cmx7cmx6cm so only option is a 'Simply Mastectomy' (still don't understand why it is called SIMPLE when removing my whole breast!). Yet still there is no clear evidence whether or not there is any Invasive Cancer and this will not be known till the Breast Tissue has been analysed. This all strated 4 months after i stopped Breast Feeding and my husband pointed out a large firm area of my left breast. I had an ultrasound at the time but the conclusion was just changes in the breast due to the Breast Feeding, that was a year ago. The area resently became more dense and I have been much more aware of it so I thought no harm in getting it checked out again. So 2 weeks ago today I went for what I thought to be a routine check just to put my mind at ease and now here I am. What a whirlwind, the doctors I have dealt with have been nothing but supportive and fast in getting action to find out what is going on and in 2 days time I am having my breast removed. I consider myself to be too young to go without my breast but have decided to wait to have reconstruction in case I do need any Radiotherapy or Chemo (fingers crossed I don't). I am currently feeling angry at the situation and the Cancer but as I have an amazing little 2 year old boy and a gorgeous & loving husband I will cut anything off if it means I can stay alive to be with them longer. Sorry this was a bit long, it just felt really good to write about it. Guess I will let you know how my journey goes. Thanks

Hi Smifette, I just wanted to say hi - I'm glad you found your way here and have shared your experience. It sounds like it has been a tough 12 months already - but hopefully after your surgery you will have some more information and can make some informed decisions for the next steps. If you need a hand finding your way around just shout. In the mean time - it looks like you have seen there is a face-to-face/online support in Adelaide that you might want to connect in with ( http://www.bcna.org.au/group/9280 ). ~Daina

Unfortunately BC doesn't discriminate when it comes to age.I had a mastectomy last September and then chemo.I was scared witless about having my breast off. I had never had any sort of operation in my life. However I want to tell you, that a mastectomy is not at all painful,and apart from a painkiller in hospital the first night, I only needed panadol.Lots of others on here will tell you similar things I am sure.The most important thing to remember when you come home, is to do your exercises because it can get very tight and stiff.So even if it feels tight, DONT STOP the exercises.Be guided by your doctors, and use this network for any extra support you might need. This online blog is the best!!! Take care and let us know how u go. Cheers Robyn xxx

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, 33 is quite young. You won't regret coming on the website, it is so helpful for advice or even if you need to have a rant. I wish you well with your surgery and any treatment that follows, stay in touch and let us know how you go, big hugs to you, Hazel xx

Thanks heaps. My family and friends are being so great but I thought it might be nice to talk to others in a similar position.

That is so great to hear about the surgery. I hear the reconstruction is very painfull so nice to know there is some relief. So far the worst pain I have had is the Biopsy and I was numb for it so a little nervous to say the least. Note taken on excercises, I won't stop :)

33 y/o, diagnosed and feeling a bit angry

14 Replies

JodieWall
Member
11 years ago
Hi kristy. Im a member of YPS on Fb too and its a great group. Its perfectly normal to have all the emotions you have. I had them too and my baby was 10 when I was diagnosed and I felt I had ruined his life :( my older kids understood, but i couldnt do the things I normally did with my 10 year old and I was so angry at myself :(

But it does get better. the girls here kept supporting me and telling me I could get through it and I did. Surgery done, Chemo done and now im half way through rads.

You will get through it all too. xxx
Smifette
Member
11 years ago
Hi Sarah. Thanks for touching base with me. Had my first night in my own bed last night and can't believe how uncomfortable I was in a bed that I normally find perfect! At this stage I am happy with my decision to remove the breast as like you said the chance of reoccurrence with just chemo was ,in my eyes, not worth the risk. I want the cancer gone. Unfortunately I do not have large breast and I swear my right breast has shrunk in sympathy :). I had my surgery at St Andrews with Dr melissa Bochner and I have to find a way to thank all the nurses there, I have never met a group of women in 1 place that are so nice and supportive and caring, they are simply amazing. And my wound is so neat! I have nothing to compare it to but so happy I went with Dr Bochner. Hardest thing by far is not being able to play with my baby. He keeps getting angry with mummy for not chasing him or playing when I normally am all over him. This makes me cry :( Thank you for these links I am going to jump on now and have look. Thx again Kristy
kinsa
Member
11 years ago
BTW angry is normal so is crying, fear and everything else. Good luck with your results and I wish you a speedy recovery.
kinsa
Member
11 years ago
Hi Smifette,

I got goose bumps reading your post because your story is the same as mine. I had a mammo/us a week after finishing breast feeding a lump and it was put down to changes due to breast feeding and then 10 months later I(Dec 13 age 33) became concerned about a hard area on my right breast and went back to the Dr. I felt so stupid asking for another scan and nearly didn't go. I thought that they would think who is this stupid woman in her early 30's that keeps coming back with imagined breast problems. Women in their early 30's don't ger breast cancer right?? (I should add that I'm a nurse and should know better....)

Anyway core biopsy was done and diagnosis of a large amount of DCIS was made much to the surprise of everyone. I can still remember every word of every conversation from that day and the way my ususally fairly realxed GP was perched on the end of his seat to discuss the news.

I had a bilat mastectomy in Dec. I immediately wanted this but my surgeon confirmed that it was the right decision. The records at Fliders show that areas of DCIS over about 4cm in young women have a reocurrance rate of about 50% and about 1/2 of these are invasive even with radiation. I also had really large breasts and would require extensive surgery on the other breast during recon so I thought why not.

I'm really happy with my decision and have just had part of my reconstruction on Tues.

It is total BS that you have to go through this. You are too young and when you've got a young family to look after things get even more complicated.

Please let us know how your surgery goes. Where did you have it/who?

I'm in SA too.

Sarah
LouiseTurner
Member
11 years ago
Hiya, I am so sorry to read your situation and while it all seems to be racing along you can slow things down if you want to. A mastectomy is a big decision and with DCIS you usually have time to get a second opinion and to speak with a plastic surgeon prior to any surgery taking place, but you might need to insist. Easy for me to say now I am familiar with seeing doctors, but if you can get some sense of control you might start to feel better.

There are many things to consider with mastectomy and reconstruction and I would urge you to see a plastic surgeon before your mastectomy because you may be a candidate for an immediate reconstruction, or you may want to discuss removing both breasts like some women do. There are many types of reconstruction and implications for each which is wise to explore at least a little before you do anything irriversable so you are making informed choices. There are implications also with hospital waiting times depending on the approach you take.

If you do want insights into reconstruction and to meet ladies who have been in your position then you might consider joining the private 'breast reconstruction online group'. There are many resources in this group to help at your stage (including the NBCF article mentioned above) and I can link you up with several posts to help get you up to speed quickly. Just follow the link and request membership. http://www.bcna.org.au/group/61026

Whatever you choose good luck, I wish you and your family all the best. I have met many women in your situation, I have been in your situation myself, and I always say...the right decision is the one you choose....

take care XXXLouie
Tashie125
Member
11 years ago
Bigs hugs to you and I know the horrible situation you are in. I still ask myself how this all came to be but I still don't have the answers, it's just the way it is! I am 37 and felt a lump 6 weeks after I finished breast feeding that I knew for certain wasn't there before. Got told by a doctor that it was nothing to worry about but I insisted on further investigation and lucky I did. I had 12mm of invasive cancer with some surrounding DCIS. I had a lumpectomy, chemo and 7 weeks of radiation. I still have a targeted therapy until November then that's it for me. It is one hell of a ride, I like you decided I was doing what ever had to be done to be with my kids and husband. Good luck with your journey and know there is plenty of love and support out there. Tashie xxx
MLE59
Member
11 years ago
Hi Smifette - I am wondering if you may need some more information to help you make your decision re total (simple) mastectomy or partial mastecomy or lumpectomy. The decision is yours to make.

I had a total mastectomy plus sentinel node biospy four weeks ago tomorrow -even though my surgeon explained that she would be taking all the nerves as well, I was still surprised at how little the pain was from the scar line area. I agree the drain was more problematic for me but mainly because I kept forgetting it and getting up and walking away without it so it would pull - ouch!

I wasn't angry initially but am struggling with it this last week; I have started journalling - something I have never done before - it helps me to get the thoughts out on paper and in a book that I can then close.

Sending you positive vibes

MLE59
Smifette
Member
11 years ago
I have thought about this. I have come to the conclusion that the size it is and the amount it has grown in 12 months I cannot take the risk. They also can't see through the DCIS on the MRI to confirm there is no Evasive Cancer so the risk is a bit high. In saying that I do have an appt tomorrow with my GP just to talk through the option of a second opinion. I would hate to find out later that I did not need it. So I guess I am still undecided... hmmm.... this is all so much to take on and all happens so quickly.

Thanks for your input.
Smifette
Member
11 years ago
Hi Narelle,

I am from SA, But i will definateky keep in touch and see how you are doing.

:)
Smifette
Member
11 years ago
That is so great to hear about the surgery. I hear the reconstruction is very painfull so nice to know there is some relief. So far the worst pain I have had is the Biopsy and I was numb for it so a little nervous to say the least.

Note taken on excercises, I won't stop :)