25 anyone?!?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Colleen on May 29, 2008 at 8:28am

Hi,
My name is Colleen. I'm 34 and I'm going threw it right now. I hope I'm not to old. =) I just started chemo yeterday!

I had breast cancer in the right breast and had a mast.
Im Married, No kids (we were trying)
Love to chat!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Blossoming on May 29, 2008 at 9:21am

Not to old at all...my love! I'm just looking for anyone who wants to chat. I was done with chemo as of May 1st now I'm on to radiation.....I've had 4 treatments so far.

My best advice with chemo is to start focusing on the things that make you smile...thats what I did and it felt like chemo flew by...plus I read a ton of book (and watched lots of funny movies.

Did you have surgery of any kind before your chemo started??

Thanks for replying. You will be in my Prayers Colleen =) Love and LIght

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jennice on July 15, 2008 at 3:08pm

HI Colleen - I see you started chemo the day of my surgery. So, I am right behind you on this for sure. I hope all is going well for you!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Colleen on May 30, 2008 at 9:14am

Good Morning,
Yes I had my surgury April 11th. You should check out my blog. http://www.protopage.com/colleen_22
I'm going back to bed.. Its way to early here. I had to let my cat out! =) Thanks for the great advice!

Colleen

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sheila Wisdahl on May 30, 2008 at 10:26am

Hi Blossoming!
I was 24 (2002) when I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, given a mastectomy and chemo and told I was cancer free. It was discovered last sept that my cancer had come back with a vengeance but I'm going the natural route these days. I've been through the 20s with cancer: career changes, school, breakups, dating and finally marriage. I know what it's like, all the old people at the doctors office and it becomes harder to relate to people your age. Thank God for this site! It has been a life-saver for me. I'd be honored to be your friend!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rachel on June 7, 2008 at 11:43am

Hey There...Glad to hear 34 isn't too young. I'm 34 and half way through chemo now. You are probably almost done or done w/ radiation by now? How did it go? How are you feeling? While I'm the ripe old age of 34 I feel way too young for this. I'm newly married and have no kids...it was all very overwhelming. Did you talk with doctors about your ability to have kids after all this?

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Robyn on June 12, 2008 at 4:18pm

I was 24...almost 25 when I had breast cancer in 2001. I had a bilateral mastectomy & 4 months of chemo, no radiation- and so far no other troubles. I remember thinking what an inconvenice it was at the time- I was 2 years out of college, my friends were dating/getting married/furthering careers and yet I was at a total stand still in my life. In hindsight, I consider myself almost lucky- because i didn't have a lot of responsibilites: family, major career, etc to distract me. I just got better- that's all i did all day. Today, I have a lot more going on and I admire those who deal with all this and maintain their real lives at the same time.

Now, that doesn't mean I was happy about cancer at 24. Especially when those nosy nurses/clerks/passers by would pitifully say: "ohh my you're so young" it really gets on your nerves after a while. My original onocologist "strongly suggested" that I attend a support group because she didn't think I was shook up enough -not enough tears i guess- so I went and it was awful. Everyone was old and talking about things that didn't relate to me, so I get that you are feeling a little outta whack with how the rest of the world sees breast cancer patients.

For me, when you are all done with treatments and the hair is back and the boobs have been reinvented (by whatever means) ...it's like part 2 of the odessey. Finding a new normal is interesting...a whole other discussion- that I can't wait to have with you! Little dilemmas like making out with a guy who wants the lights on and running a 5k race only to get to the end have them not give you the damn pink rose because they don't think it belongs to you. ("Running on behalf of a survivor, doesn't mean you get a rose.") ...i mean really, like i'd wear the ugly pepto-pink t-shirt in 90 degree heat if i wasn't in it for myself!!! I hope you are well today and look forward to hearing about your continued health.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Caitlyn on July 12, 2008 at 9:03pm

Hey, my name is Caitlyn and I am 30. I was 26 when I discovered my lump and told that it was nothing to worry about and then diagnosed a with breast cancer about a year later when I went back and told them that I was still concerned. So I guess officially I was 27. I was travelling and living a fairly carefree existence when I was told and pretty much immediately returned home in a whirlwind to be with my family in Melbourne, Australia. I underwent a full mastectomy and reconstruction, followed by 8 sessions of chemo over 4 months - so fairly hard and fast as it ended up being quite an aggressive lump. I had some lymph nodes removed and was given the all clear, however I am still on what feels like a shitload of nasty medication to keep me menopausal. I hate it! I am constantly tired and don't really sleep unless I take pills - But I am really trying to break that cycle too! I've now tried acupuncture and a more holistic approach. The diet, whilst I feel much better (trying to eat predominantly raw organic veg) is tough, as there is always a dinner or some social sort of event to tempt my will! Needless to say, I don't succeed all the time, but I figure as every now and then is okay to fall off the wagon! My biggest hurdle now I think, is that because my hair has grown and the head scarfe is gone, people assume you are back to your regular self - how wrong they can be!! Another 3 years to go of meds!! Arrgh!! ANyhow, hope you're doing well. Happy to chat.
Caitlyn

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jennifer on July 13, 2008 at 2:33pm

hey there..i am 36..and was diagnosed with breast cancer in february..i had a double mastectomy in march followed by chemo which i am almost done with (1 more to go)..then on to having my reconstruction finished then radiation..i would love to chat with you anytime..sending you super positive thoughts..and look forward to chatting soon..

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Colleen on July 15, 2008 at 12:59am

Hasn't it been a shitty year.. I know you have been kick'n ass like me.. I just didnt think I'd be spending my summer on chemo.. lol At least we are both hot bald.. I just have 1 treatment left. I cant wait for it to be over the white blood cell shots suck... what type of chemo do they have you on?

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Allison aka Shmups on July 13, 2008 at 4:55pm

I was 24 when I was diagnosed. I had a lumpectomy and lymph nodes removed, chemo and radiation. I was almost at my 5 year point when I found out it was back, in my sternum and liver. It's such a help to have young people who have been though this diagnosis. Am currently back on chemo and looking to change my diet to cut out the bad crap and bring in the good stuff (veggies, veggies, and more veggies!). Am having a difficult time with the changes, especially with queasiness. Would love to chat with other breast cancer warriors!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jennice on July 15, 2008 at 3:05pm

Hello!

I found a lump in my breast March 24th, I was diagnosed this last April 23rd at age 32 with early stage invasive ductal carcinoma. I had a skin-sparing bilateral mastectomy on May 28th (the day before my 33rd birthday) with 2 negative lymph nodes. I was able to have immediate reconstruction and the PS has completed the filling of the expanders. I am scheduled to start chemo (TCH) on August 8th. My onc also wants to continue Herceptin for a year and Tamoxifen and an ovary suppressing drug for the next five years. I am really scared and anxious about it, but I know it's something I have to do. Because of my age, the onc is treating me very aggressively. There is a 30 year old woman at my cancer treatment facility that was diagnosed when she was 27. She is absolutely a beautiful, bubbly person who you would never guess had been through all of this. Everytime I go to the center I look for her and for other people my age. It's human nature for sure!

I hadn't been married a year when I got the diagnoses and I have no kids. I do have a wonderful husband who is supportive of me every step. He's been to every appointment with me! I am scheduled to get the port a cath put in on July 22. I told the doctor I wanted to be under the entire time due to the uncomfortable expanders. I know people say it's a breeze and makes chemo easier.

I am here to for chatting as well and I know the next part of the journey is about to begin for me.

▶ Reply to This

• 1
• 2