Second diagnosis at 33 - am I alone?

  • 2 replies
  • 284 subscribers
  • 294 views

I was first diagnosed at 28. Low risk, no genetic links, no obvious reason to have such an early diagnosis. I went through the whole journey being told the likelihood of the cancer coming back was extremely low. Two years after finishing treatment I’m back sat in the doctors office being told that my cancers back and it’s now back for good. 

I’ve had this diagnosis for 2 years and am just about to change from my first line of treatment due to disease progression. The whole situation is painful and terrifying beyond words, but what makes it so much worse is I feel completely alone. There doesn’t seem to be anyone my age going through this who I can talk to (not that I would ever wish to be joined in this position). I sit in the hospital waiting room and I’m the youngest in there by at least 20 years. Makes you feel even more abnormal than you already are. 

I obviously know that I’m not the youngest person to have ever had cancer and that there are so many people that are affected by this. But no one in my family really understands what it’s like going through all of this, despite their best efforts, and I never seem to be able to find anyone that I can really relate to.

Am I really alone? 

  • Hi, I am so sorry you are going through this unfair and rotten situation. I am too but 55 years old and it’s still horrible but at your age it’s doubly unfair . My niece went through it about 4 yearBlushago and she was 30, not a great prognosis at first but she is doing great now and has been cancer free for a few years now . Have you signed up for a McMillan mentor/ buddy. I had a weekly call and Blush was so wonderful to be able to talk to someone who I could connect with and say anything I was feeling . I could cry to her and tell her my fears and she helped me so much in those scary moments . Blushey match you to someone suitable and if you ask for someone younger they may have that- most of them are volunteers who have been through it themselves . Just a thought xxxxx you are not alone BlushTwo hearts

  • Thank you so much for this recommendation Heart️ x