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KB79's avatar
KB79
Member
14 years ago

Fighting hard

Hi everyone, My name is Kerry and I am 32 years old. I have a wonderful hubby and 2 beautiful children, my little boy is 4.5 and my baby girl just turned 1. I was diagnosed on oct 13th 2011 with a grade 3 HER2 positive cancer that had grown while I was pregnant with my daughter and did not rear it's "ugly head" until I finished breast feeding in July. Unfortunately I was misdiagnosed in July and by the time I received the correct diagnosis my tumor was 7cm big and had spread to 14 out of 19 lymph nodes. But it is still classed as early breast cancer so we are still aiming to cure!!! I have a long road of treatment ahead but am already thru my chemo and very determined to win this battle! It is great to be able to hear from some other young women in similar situations as I have found there is not so many of us around! :-)

2 Replies

  • Jennifer_39's avatar
    Jennifer_39
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Kerry,

    I was diagnosed in 2009 when I was nine weeks pregnant with my second child and my first-born not yet two years old.  I had surgery and chemotherapy during the pregnancy and radiotherapy soon after my son was born.  Still on tamoxifen and doing fine (I hope).  Pregnancy associated breast cancer certainly has its own particular challenges, and I know when I struggled with decisions and uncertainties it was some comfort to know that there were other mums surviving similar experiences.    Like your son, my eldest is also four and a half, and the "baby" nearly two now.  It is a busy time with pre-school etc; Like Emma said, I hope you have good support, and I wish you all the best.

    Jennifer 

  • Emma_T's avatar
    Emma_T
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Kerry,

    Thank you for sharing your story.  My story is similar - I was diagnosed last June, aged 34 years.  I have an amazing husband and 2 adorable little girls (6 and 3).  I remember being absolutely distraught upon receiving my diagnosis and kept thinking 'how long have I got'..... a little premature when I think back now but at the time that is all I could think about!  

    My cancer is ER & PR + and HER2-.  I finished Chemo in Nov last year and finished 5 weeks of radiation in Jan this year.  I have started taking Tamoxifen and all is going as well as can be.  My hair is starting to grow - hallelujah!! and I am regaining my energy.

    I can honestly say that 'time' really does heal this.  I recall crying every day for the first couple of weeks - it was all so overwhelming and I also become very emotional when I think of all of the support we received during my treatment. Our family and friends are out of this world - the best!!  We are so so lucky to have such a fantastic support network around us.  I really hope you do also :)

    Going back to my 'time' comment - I can honestly say that I haven't cried for a good few months now!  I just take each day as it comes and enjoy my family and friends all so much more now - if that was even possible!

    Thinking of you

    Em

    xxx