encouragement Please

jenstuart
jenstuart Member Posts: 4
in Breast Cancer #1

I just found this website. so excited about it, however lots of words of encouragement and advise is much needed. I was 19 when i was diagnosed with breast cancer, i did a masectomy and refused all other treatments. i'm now healthy and 31 but feel like so much of young life was taking. i'm considereing removing the other breast to look uniformed or should i just stay the way i am :( not sure what route to take

Comments

  • RozHopkins
    RozHopkins Member Posts: 578 Member
    #2
    Uniform

    Totally your decushion. Now ladies have both done just ito stop it appearing later in the second breast, some have cancer or pre cancer cells in the second as did I.  Depending what type you have too when making the decision, infiltrating lobular tends to end up in both which is what mine was.  Have to say that with the implants no one would know I had had mastectomies.  I know they are not perfect but very passable.  Plus they are false hence perky and will never sag.  When only one done there will be changes as you get older as in one high and one lower........  Gravity is a cruel thing...........  I don't blame you having it done.  Good luck.

     

    Well done getting through this when so young, not easy.  

  • LoveBabyJesus
    LoveBabyJesus Member Posts: 1,679 Member
    #3
    Do what your heart desires

    Hi -- I am so sorry you had to deal with this at such a young age. I was dx at 32 and I felt I was young, but you were still a baby.

    About your decision to remove the other breast, only you in your heart know. It is amazing that years later you wouldn't mind going through surgery again. A lot of people let it rest after a big break -  hard to get into that state of mind I guess. One would want not to re-live those days again. You are strong and determined. This is a decision only you can make. If it would make you happier to have both breasts look the same, then perhaps it may be the right choice for you. But if you have any doubt at all, perhaps you may need more time to think about it.

    When I was dx at 32, I opted to have a lumpectomy with radiation and chemo (would have had no choice about chemo, only radiation). Do I regret this? I would if I get another cancer, but truth is I never know. It was the right decision at the time so I can't be too upset about it. Now that I know more, I would have probably removed both breasts. Sometimes you have to go with your feelings and do what is best for YOU. I am sure whatever you decide to do, would be the right option because it is what your heart desires.

    Best of luck to you. I am very happy you are doing well and striving.

    Do you have any kids? I want to have one but I need to wait until I am done with tamoxifen. Yikes.

     

    Hugs to you.

  • jenstuart
    jenstuart Member Posts: 4
    #4
    LoveBabyJesus said:

    Do what your heart desires

    Hi -- I am so sorry you had to deal with this at such a young age. I was dx at 32 and I felt I was young, but you were still a baby.

    About your decision to remove the other breast, only you in your heart know. It is amazing that years later you wouldn't mind going through surgery again. A lot of people let it rest after a big break -  hard to get into that state of mind I guess. One would want not to re-live those days again. You are strong and determined. This is a decision only you can make. If it would make you happier to have both breasts look the same, then perhaps it may be the right choice for you. But if you have any doubt at all, perhaps you may need more time to think about it.

    When I was dx at 32, I opted to have a lumpectomy with radiation and chemo (would have had no choice about chemo, only radiation). Do I regret this? I would if I get another cancer, but truth is I never know. It was the right decision at the time so I can't be too upset about it. Now that I know more, I would have probably removed both breasts. Sometimes you have to go with your feelings and do what is best for YOU. I am sure whatever you decide to do, would be the right option because it is what your heart desires.

    Best of luck to you. I am very happy you are doing well and striving.

    Do you have any kids? I want to have one but I need to wait until I am done with tamoxifen. Yikes.

     

    Hugs to you.

    thank you so much for the

    thank you so much for the encouraging words. I do have children I was blessed with 4 kids. 3 boys and my daughter came last, however i was diagnosed with my cancer when i was pregnant for my second son, when he was 10 months old he was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer. ( meningeal sarcoma). Life has been so tough and i would love to give up at times, but i know i'm here for a reason and everything my family has gone through will be used to help so many others.

  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #5
    jenstuart said:

    thank you so much for the

    thank you so much for the encouraging words. I do have children I was blessed with 4 kids. 3 boys and my daughter came last, however i was diagnosed with my cancer when i was pregnant for my second son, when he was 10 months old he was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer. ( meningeal sarcoma). Life has been so tough and i would love to give up at times, but i know i'm here for a reason and everything my family has gone through will be used to help so many others.

    I a so sorry for what you are

    I a so sorry for what you are going through sweetie!  You are still so young - it just sucks!

    I was 33 when I was first diagnosed and had mastectomy (large tumor; lumpectomy not an option).  I kind of wanted the other breast off because our daughter was just 4.  Docs all insisted that my odds were <5% for developing cancer in the second breast.

    Then 2 of my 3 sisters developed same type of cancer and docs felt we were dealing with lousy genetics and I did have other breast removed preventively.  BRCA 1 & 2 tested negative, but I am meeting with geneticist in 3 weeks to discuss newer testing.

    I always say none of us come with an expiration date, so keep fighting as long as it is reasonable to do so.

    BTW, I was initially Stage 3A in 1987.  This year, it's been 27 years!  Fight on!!!!

  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #6
    CypressCynthia said:

    I a so sorry for what you are

    I a so sorry for what you are going through sweetie!  You are still so young - it just sucks!

    I was 33 when I was first diagnosed and had mastectomy (large tumor; lumpectomy not an option).  I kind of wanted the other breast off because our daughter was just 4.  Docs all insisted that my odds were <5% for developing cancer in the second breast.

    Then 2 of my 3 sisters developed same type of cancer and docs felt we were dealing with lousy genetics and I did have other breast removed preventively.  BRCA 1 & 2 tested negative, but I am meeting with geneticist in 3 weeks to discuss newer testing.

    I always say none of us come with an expiration date, so keep fighting as long as it is reasonable to do so.

    BTW, I was initially Stage 3A in 1987.  This year, it's been 27 years!  Fight on!!!!

    I want to send my hugs, and prayers ...

    Have you spoken with any support groups in your area - Maybe your Oncologist has women in your age range that he/she can put in contact with -

    Such a personal decision - Remember, this is your choice.

    Best wishes,

    Strength, Courage, and HOPE for a Cure.

    Vicki Sam

     

     

  • jenstuart
    jenstuart Member Posts: 4
    #7
    CypressCynthia said:

    I a so sorry for what you are

    I a so sorry for what you are going through sweetie!  You are still so young - it just sucks!

    I was 33 when I was first diagnosed and had mastectomy (large tumor; lumpectomy not an option).  I kind of wanted the other breast off because our daughter was just 4.  Docs all insisted that my odds were <5% for developing cancer in the second breast.

    Then 2 of my 3 sisters developed same type of cancer and docs felt we were dealing with lousy genetics and I did have other breast removed preventively.  BRCA 1 & 2 tested negative, but I am meeting with geneticist in 3 weeks to discuss newer testing.

    I always say none of us come with an expiration date, so keep fighting as long as it is reasonable to do so.

    BTW, I was initially Stage 3A in 1987.  This year, it's been 27 years!  Fight on!!!!

    wow your so young too. I did

    wow your so young too. I did do genetic testing it came back neg. i often wonder if it can be repeated and if it was a false neg. none of my sister have it, mine was however her 2- neu positive.

  • 24242
    24242 Member Posts: 1,398 Member
    #8
    Studies

    I guess before doing anything if it was me I would look at the new studies that have come out.  I too was diagnosed at 36 though I had been sick for about 10 years.  After my stage 3 diagnosis of a very aggressive form of breast cancer it was suggested I worry about the cancer side and then after have another mastectomy if that is what I want.  I listened against my better judgement and then a year to the day of first surgery had the second breast removed.  I have never regretted that decision and being apart of studies I have learned that there is an extension to life expectancy that they now know to be true.

    Genetics still plays such a small roll in the cancer thing.  My family isn't the least bit interested in having that information now that cancer rates are so high.  Here in Canada we now have a 1 in 2 for men and a 1 in 2.5 for women.  Funny how that happened when I was diagnosed it was 1 in 9.  Guess the Question is truly, "Who isn't going to have it?"  I needed one more cancer in my family to be tested for a study and I now have that with my younger cousin now having prostate. No one wants to know so I have decided to let it go...

    Good Luck with your decision and being a flat liner is ok too

    Tara

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