18 years old and diagnosed with breast cancer

Aww that's a terrible thing to happen at any age but esp so young. When I was going through my diagnosis I was so scared but knew I would do anything they felt was necessary. Had a lumpectomy and all the lymph nodes under my arm removed. Very painful initially but followed the exercises and took the painkillers and it healed well. Got full movement back in my arm as well. 

That was in Dec, the radiotherapy was at the end if Feb. It flared up a bit recently, maybe because I've been swimming 3 times this week. Good luck with your surgery and treatment. I had full confidence in my surgeon. He told me he could cure me which I was a bit sceptical about. I hope he is right. Enjoying life again now. Xxx

1. Yeah they're taking all the lymph nodes from under my arm too as they do the surgery, I'm really worried about lack of movement in my arm

Hi Adamantemrose,

First of all, so sorry you  find yourself with breast sarcoma and at such a young age. I myself am 54 and had my mastectomy back in Feb, my right breast. It is a bit painful afterwads like any operaon is but manageable with pain killers. When you can manage your exercises , I started mine about 2 weeks after, do them always as they make such a difference in movement of your arm etc. I found myide was effected too and took the longest to heal. They say the young heal quicker and adapt better so I am sure you will be absolutely fine. Emotionally it's a bit like a roller coaster but I woulday just go with your feelings, cry if you need to, shout if you need to. For me I felt strangely Emotionally numb for the first 4 months and didn't really react, it was my natural way of coping I fe, just, right this is happening so you need to get on with it, but like I say I am 54 and have had years of training feelings. You are still so young. This is a great forum and I know there are alsoome other young people on here so I am sure one of them will be along soon with advice too. I wish you all the best with your treatment, and you will be fine and get over it all in time. Sending strgth and love your way

Sorry, I put sunflowers at the end of my message , and this happened!

So sorry to hear that you have to go through this at such an young age! A close friend of mine was diagnosed with sarcoma at 27 and now she is 58 and doing absolutely fine! You know that you can opt for breast reconstruction - plastic surgeons do incredible jobs so don't worry about the cosmetic effect of your mastectomy! Pain is very manageable, I almost didn't have any after my mastectomy which was a week ago! I send you love, be strong and positive and you will pull through that terrible ordeal! XX 

The arm is worrying at the beginning but follow the advice, it will come back. The MacMillan Nurse told me to do them straight away, just not the ones lifting the arm up. They gave me a leaflet with a schedule of different grades for the first two weeks. The main thing is you will recover. I am still here and healthy again. This will be you after the treatment. X