Initial breast cancer diagnosis at 37

Hi all,

 

Ive just been given the initial diagnosis of breast cancer, although they're awaiting the biopsy and fine needle results after finding a large lump in my breast. 

 

I'm in total shock. I'm a fit and healthy person of 37.i have 2 young children under 5 who I went through hell for them via ivf. Now I'm terrified that I might not get to see my precious babies grow up.

Im awaiting a panel meeting on Thursday to find out what stage I'm at and how they're going to treat me.

The lump in my breast has suddenly grown exponentially and retracted my nipple etc but I just assumed it would be a cyst. I'm in total shock. They suspect it may have spread to my lymph nodes too. Heartbreaking. I just wish I'd been seen 5 weeks ago but I kept thinking it was hormones or exercise that was to blame. I have a mirena coil and often blamed that for my hard breasts.

Im worried about other symptoms I've suffered with over last 8 months now, like dizziness and vit d deficiency and a salt taste in my mouth. I've been docs for them but have always found they've tested and prescribed appropriately. I've felt tired but who wouldn't working 2 jobs with 2 young kids and a full exercise regime.  I'm worried that I've had it way longer and it's had time to get real deep. 

 

I am in limbo until Thursday and can't help thinking the worst. I keep looking at my kids and feel totally overwhelmed about the possibility I might not see them grow up. 

I'm looking for people that I can talk to and for advice on what to ask at the panel meeting with regards to treatment and prognosis. I'm not ready to give up my life :( 

Any support and advice would be greatly appreciated. 

 

 

 

 

  • Hi,

         I can't offer much advice at the mo other than to say I know how you feel i'm 38 and went for my refferal appointment for my lump on thursday, on the can they found one of my lymph nodes was enlarged as well, I had biopsys of both and the results are due on Friday, however the consultant basically said on thursday that given my age and its size he's certain its cancer, I now have a full body CT scheduled for tomorrow and my mind is all over the place with the speed its all moving at you can only think the worst.

     

    I'm here if you want vent or scream, i've been through every emotion since thursday. 

  • Hi, let's chat please. We seem to be stuck in a similar nightmare! I'm only just beginning my emotional roller-coaster and the waiting to find out is the worst part. Too much time to imagine the unimaginable. 

  • I know, I've still only told a handful of people, telling my Mum was the hardest she was upset I hadn't told her sooner, my boss knows as I've needed time off for appointments but I don't know if or when to tell the rest of colleagues and my family, I'm probably going to wait until after the biopsy results so I know where I stand on that front.

  • I'm exactly the same. I'm going to wait until Thursday to find out the pathway and some of the answers to the questions that will inevitably be asked.

     

    Telling my mum was the hardest thing too weirdly. 

  • I'm not sure when I'll find out the pathway, he seemed concerned about the size of the lump and my age and said something about further tests after the biopsy results, so that will be more waiting around imagining the worst.

  • They also seemed bothered by the lump. Mine is not how I imagined cancer to feel at all. It's rounded and squishy. I thought cancer was hard and gritty and mote like a marble size. Mine is large so I'm worried I've left it too late but I am a 36D and hadn't really noticed a lump up until the last few weeks. They have always been super sentive but I've put it down to hormones :(

  • Mine is round and solid, about the size of a ping pong ball from the look of the mammogram, like you I'm a 40DD and hadn't noticed it till a few weeks ago and now it's all I can see bulging in the side of my breast,

  • I didn't get to see the mammogram or anything. I feel quite in the dark about it all which allows too much opportunities for my imagination to run wild.

    When is your next scan? I've asked if I can have an MRI but they said they'll tell me all that on Thursday. 

  • I've got a full body CT tomorrow lunchtime, so it's all moving very quickly. I only saw the mammogram because it was on the screen while she was taking the biopsy's and I was trying to ignore what she was doing to take my mind off of the noise and sensation.

  • Hi,

    Sorry to hear you are going through this, the waiting part is very difficult. I'm 36 and was diagnosed with breast cancer in April and am currently undergoing chemotherapy. It was discovered that I had a second cancerous lump in the same breast and spread in my lympth nodes. Despite this my CT scan had shown the cancer had not travelled further than this. I was certain at the time that spread to my lymph nodes would mean it had gone elsewhere but obviously that wasn't the case. It was very easy to think worst case scenario and then almost start feeling as if the worst had happened. I have a now 7 month old and thought allsorts of awful things abut the future. 

    The only advice I can offer is perhaps speak to your breast nurse if you have been assigned one, they are full of knowledge and can answer any questions you may have. Also trying to do something distracting whilse waiting for your results as hard as it is can be helpful. I kept thinking that my results are going to be what they are going to be and no matter how much I worry it won't change anything other than stress me out more. 

    In terms of questions to ask. It's always helpful to find out the staging and grade of the cancer if you want to know and what this means. It can be useful to know the hormone receptor status of the cancer and also what this means in terms of treatment. What treatement options do you have and how long they will take etc. I remembered been told i'd have chemotherapy but then didn't ask how many cycles, it's very easy to forget when you are been given lots of information. It's helpful if you are allowed to take someone with you who can rmemeber information and also ask questions you may forget. A pen and paper is also useful to take and you can read questions you have or take notes. 

    Wishing you the best for your appointment on Thursday.