Any Stories of young women survivors ? I am too worried! Help…. I need encouragements

Hi Favoured91,

Firstly I'm really sorry that you find yourself here. It's definitely a scary time and everyone on this forum is really helpful and will support you as much as they can. You're in the right place.

I can imagine that your brain is just spinning at the moment. There's so much to take in and so much for you to think about. Just getting your head around all the medical terminology can fry your brain. It's like another language. You've got a lot going on already with being a mum and working. It's a lot.

Chemo affects everyone differently but I would definitely recommend that you call in some support just in case you need it. It might be that you sail through it and are absolutely fine, lots of people manage well. It might be that you do have some side effects and need a bit of help. For me, it was the fatigue that was hard but you won't really know until you start your treatment.

Have you had a chance to have a good talk with your breast care nurse yet? They will be able to reassure you and give you more information about how your treatments might affect you. The Macmillan support workers at my hospital have been amazing. Really supportive and helpful. They're able to advise on lots of aspects of your situation, from finances to self image.

Again, I'm so sorry you've had to join us here. You can get through it though. I don't know whether I've helped at all but I just want you to know that you're not going through this alone. We'll support you. 

Take care,

Love ,

Mads xx

MadsBee thank you so much for taking out time to read through my message, I had a chance to speak to my breast care nurse and yes she sounded reassuring. Thank you for your advise. I pray to get through this and be completely healed , I also wish for healing for everyone on here too. Thank you 

Hi and sorry that you find yourself here! It's a very scary time indeed when you're first diagnosed and you have to come to terms with having this horrible disease. For me, the first few weeks after finding out I had breast cancer was the hardest because there was so much unknown. My normal little life was turned upside down as I was sent for different scans and appointments and it was really like a rollercoaster. It may sound strange, but as soon as I started chemo, there was less chaos because all the treatment was planned out, so things became easier and I knew what to expect when. I kept a diary throughout treatment for keeping track of all my appointments and side effects and quickly noticed that the side effects developed into a pattern so after each treatment, I even knew what to expect and when!

I was diagnosed in July 21 at the age of 35 with stage 2 triple negative breast cancer, finished chemo in December 21 and finished radiotherapy in March 22 (with 3 operations in between). I know it's not been that long, but I feel great and very positive about my future (even if no one knows what will happen). The earlier your cancer is found the better, so if you are stage one, that is very positive.

I work from home, so I continued working throughout chemo, but I think it really depends on what you do, how you tolerate the treatment and how many people you come into contact with. I was lucky and chemo was nowhere near as bad as I expected - I had some side effects, but they were very manageable and not as debilitating as I first imagined. People can have very different reactions to chemo, so it's so important to listen to your body during treatment as health truly is wealth.

I don't have children so can't advise on that, but I would imagine there may be days when you could need some extra support - hopefully someone with kids will reply to give more info!

I wish you the very best of luck during this difficult time and have my fingers and toes crossed for the best outcome x

Hey lovely! I was diagnosed in 2020 at 32 with Grade 3 HER2+ breast cancer. I did 6 chemo, mastectomy, recon and then 14 rounds of preventative chemo as i didnt have a great response first time round. I worked through all of my treatment as I found it kept my mind busy. but was fortunate that my employer was happy for me to work from home etc. The pandemic sort of helped as everyone was doing that too! But I just had the day of my chemo off which was a friday and usually the monday every 3 weeks and that was ok for me. Just do what feelt right for you - everyone is different. Let me know if you ever want a chat xx

Hi. I’m sorry to hear of your diagnosis. Nothing can prepare you for those words and feelings. But I will echo the others on here that once you start treatment mentally it gets a bit easier. You focus on getting through each chemo and you have a plan. 
I was diagnosed with s2 g2 her2 breast cancer in aug last year. I have two young kids and I’d advise getting help with childcare where you can. It’s really hard and I was rubbish at it but accept all help. It’s hard to even know what help you need but someone cooking and cleaning regularly or taking your child out helps so much. 
And yes young people do survive this . Im still in treatment but finishing chemo & surgery felt good and I’m getting better at being positive about the future! 
take it easy and be gentle on yourself. I wish I’d properly told myself that before I started treatment! X

Hi,

I was diagnosed with stage 2 grade 1 invasive breast cancer in October 2022, 2 weeks before my 34th birthday. I had a lumpectomy and nymph node removal followed by 2 weeks of radiotherapy and put on tamoxifen for 10 years

I have now finished all my treatment and been told there is no signs of cancer anywhere in my body. I have been told I now have a less then 10% chance of the cancer coming back

take all the time you need. I went back to work full time 2 weeks after my operation and had a mental breakdown. I then took 6 weeks off to recover from the radiotherapy before going back full time. This was a massive mistake and Iv now had to drop my hours. 

there is no rush to feel and get back to normal 

I wishing you a very speedy recovery 

Hello my name's Laura I'm new to the group just r and your story. I noticed it was from a few months ago so I'm hoping that you've finished your treatment and on the road to recovery. Im 34 with 3 children my youngest was born at the end of september last year I found a lump at Xmas and was diagnosed in January with stage 3 grade 3 invasive ductal carcinoma. I had surgery in Feb and April and I am now half way through my 6 rounds of chemo. Uptoo now I've felt quite strong and positive wich surprised me as I suffer with anxiety before my diagnosis. But the last 2 weeks mentally I'm struggling more down days than good I'm constantly worried something bad is going to happen mainly like I can't switch off allso waking up allot at night which isn't helping. I don't think the treatment will be helping either but it doesn't make it any easier to deal with does it? Xx

Hi, so sorry you have to join this group at this time, trust me you’ll be fine. This might sound like a cliche but it helps to take it one day at a time, make conscious effort to stay calm, I also think it’s normal to feel anxious sometimes during the treatment, I felt all these and I still do it does get better and once the chemo is completely over the days will get better. Ensure you eliminate stress and triggers as much as possible too. Eat well and surround yourself with good people that speak positively all the time. When we spend too much time worrying about something that may never happen it deprives us of the opportunity to enjoy the moment. You’ll be fine. Have a great day. Cheers!

Hello my name is Al, I'm so sorry to hear about everyone's story.  It's my first time here.  I was diagnosed in January stage 3 have had mastectomy and was very positive and optimistic up until halfway through my EC chemo it's getting too hard and my body is not reacting to chemo as easy as the first round.  I have many side effects and severe weakness I've started feeling physically low.  I know I need to think positive and be positive and thats the only way forward, but these days I have felt like being alone and crying so loud until I feel better.  My main concern is my 10 year old daughter I haven't told her and all she knows is that ive had an arm surgery and i have a treatmen for it.  There was no way I could put her through it.  I have a 25 year old son and 23 year old daughter as well they have been beside me every step of the way but keeping it from my youngest has been the hardest decision I've had to make in my life.

I have had very bad indigestion and heartburn after my 3rd chemo any advice.  I've been taking gavescomn its helped a little but im struggling to eat and drink.

I pray for everyone to get rid of any traces of cancer with treatment and cope well in the mean time and stay positive and pray for speedy recovery.

I'm sorry you also find yourself on this horrible journey. I have a son (9 but 8 when diagnosed), I did tell him what was happening but was positive about it to him. I've had terrible Mummy guilt not having energy to be the Mum i was but he understands. Please do speak to your doc regarding indigestion, gavison didn't help me at all but doc gave Lansoprazole and it helped loads! It will get better x