Hi there .. and welcome ...

Oh my , that's so so rare at your age.. where a lot in their 20s are just not given tests .. so full marks for your G P ... I had a grade three breast cancer her 2 negative... oestrogen positive... so the same , just a more advanced lump .. the wait where you are now is the scariest ... those "what ifs" creep in and the thoughts can get a bit overwhelming... I had a total right masectomy in 2017 ... cos I was in my 60s and it wasn't such a big thing at my age ... 

The op was the easiest part .. although I've heard lumpectomy is a bit more sore .. but I only needed a couple of paracetamol after ... even with a large scar ... it was quite tender under my armpit where lymph nodes were taken... that took time to be able to move properly again ... but exercises helped .. 

My untie got same breast cancer about 3 months after me .. l didn't need chemo .. and didn't want radio therapy coz of weak bones ... my untie didn't need chemo but had a short radiotherapy,  which she said was doable ... wer both still here to tell the tail .. and lots of others are comming through .. it's just we hear the sad stories but there's a lot living with it ... treatments have come a long way ...

It would be great to say we put it behind us, but in truth, the huge emotional rollercoaster we  get on does stay in the corner of our minds ... and yes every pain or discomfort it does cross the mind .. but that's nateral ... emotions are nateral .. if you give yourself permission to feel what ever comes into your mind and say that's o.k ...  it is o.k to feel scared ... it's o.k to share tears with those you love ... it's o.k to smile when something funny happens ... my sense of humour got me through ... it's not a walk in the park but it is doable...

When my then 6 year old granddaughter accidentally saw my scar she yelled ... Nanny how are you going to feed babies now ... it still makes me laugh as I was 63 then ... so it's getting everything in balance ... not taking it too lightly and not crying 24/7 ... 

I was put on tamoxifen... no one told me it would come with side effects for some .. my emotions went through the roof ... for a while ... if only I'd known it was the tamoxifen,  I'd have been prepared... some get bone and joint ache ... some sail through ... 

Well I'm here most days ... if you have any more questions , don't hesitate to ask ... Chrissie x

I am so sorry to hear this. I wish you all the best with your treatments etc. I'm 22 myself, currently waiting on biopsy results which I should get on Thursday. I'm going out of my mind, if you don't mind me asking, did they give anything away when you went for your appointment? I was told they were concerned, and one of the nurses looked quite upset, I didn't bother to ask what they thought it was as I knew they wouldn't tell me anyway xx

Hi there Chrissie,

Thank you for sharing your experience and advice, it's really appreciated! xx 

Thank you Katie - I wish you all the best for your results. 

They didn't give any suggestions of what they had thought once I had the biopsy, but the first specialist in the breast clinic that felt the lump said he thought it was a benign tissue lump and he even said that he was really shocked when it came back otherwise. I doubt they would have guessed what they thought it was in case they got it wrong, but that doesn't necessarily mean it will be anything bad! I was scared too and I agree the waiting is the worst bit - but so try not to think the worst. 

You've got to be proud of yourself for getting it checked because a lot of people (especially people that are so young) don't get anything checked - always better to get that reassurance!!

I hope your results come back ok - here if you need xxx
 

Thank you so much. It's very reassuring to know that if it is something bad treatment starts ASAP xx

Hi Olivia, 

I'm so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I'm the same age as you (I'll be 25 in May) and I'm being referred to the breast clinic but I've decided to go private as I can't wait any longer. Anxiety is at an all time high. 
 

I had my boobs checked two weeks ago as I was worried about an area under my arm but since then, I've found a hard/uneven lump that I've never noticed before and it's really worrying me. I fear that myself and the GP have missed something bad. I had an ultrasound of my right breast two years ago which turned out to be fibrocystic tissue but I don't feel good about things this time. It just doesn't feel right.

Sorry for going on and on but it feels scary that people can be dismissive due to our age. Sending you lots of love and strength. X

Sending you lots of love - it is definitely an anxious time but try not to think the worst!! If it is anything, you need to be proud that you've found it and can get it sorted asap!!! If it doesn't feel right then you have definitely done the right thing getting it checked. 

As an update... i had my lumpectomy on the 6th January and have recovered well since then. My results came back as good as we could have hoped with clear margins and my lymph nodes are negative (yay!!). I started taking tamoxifen last week and am due to start my 4 weeks of radiotherapy in a few weeks time. I'm feeling good and am back to doing some workouts and feeling a lot more positive. 

It's been a tricky time (the lockdown and pandemic) have not made it any easier but the nhs have been amazing and my breast care nurse calls regularly to check in on me too. It's all been so quick and i cannot wait to come out the other side! 

I wish you the best of luck for your results and whatever happens, you'll get through it. Xxx

Hi Olivia,

I'm so pleased for you! That's brilliant news and I'm sure the rest of your treatment will go well. 
 

I have anxiety anyway but it's just torture and so scary finding something new. I really hope everything will be okay, regardless of what happens. I still want to get married, travel, enjoy the little things and have a really happy life ahead of me. I just feel like I can't get my hopes up. I've been crying into my boyfriend for the past few nights, I can't help but feel like such a burden on him but he's been so sweet and supportive. If it is cancer I just hope I can get through it and we'll still have our lives ahead of us.
 

I'll let you know when I get an appointment through and I'll keep you updated with everything. Thank you so much for replying! 
xx

Hi Olivia,

I have my appointment now for the 19th. Feeling scared but desperate to find out what's going on! I have a bad feeling it will be cancer but I just hope it's not at a later stage and I can still be treated okay.

Thanks for your support xx

Hey [@oliviap]‍ 

I am sorry to hear you was diagnosed with BC.  Sending you big hugs!

May I please ask what your lump felt like and it's characteristics? I am currently awaiting my breast clinic appointment Monday :( and am sick with worry x