Just Diagnosed at 29

AmandaMarie29
AmandaMarie29 Member Posts: 55
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Ok, I just found out I have cancer on 11/09 and I am sooooooo scared! I wasn't expecting to hear this at age 29. I am trying to stay very positive, hoping that I caught it very early. I have my appointment tomorrow to find out what kind it is and what my options are. My huge problem is, is that I am a full time student and a part time waitres..without insurance. Does anyone have any ideas as to what to do, or know of any programs that may help? I just want a fair shot at trying to beat this...I know that I am mentally tough to take it head on, but I don't know about the financial part of it. HELP?!?!?

Mandi
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Comments

  • fauxma
    fauxma Member Posts: 3,577 Member
    I don't know where to direct
    I don't know where to direct you for financial help but there will be ladies that do and they will be writing soon.
    I do want to let you know that we are all here for you and will help you through everything. There are always folks who can answer your questions or direct you to a source.
    So sorry that you are joining our group. You are so young, but you seen to have a good mental attitude and that will take you far. There will be ups and downs and that's where this board excels. We are the most supportive, loving group and we will hold you, hug you, advise you and just be there for you. So Mandi, you have come to the right place.
    Stef
  • AmandaMarie29
    AmandaMarie29 Member Posts: 55
    fauxma said:

    I don't know where to direct
    I don't know where to direct you for financial help but there will be ladies that do and they will be writing soon.
    I do want to let you know that we are all here for you and will help you through everything. There are always folks who can answer your questions or direct you to a source.
    So sorry that you are joining our group. You are so young, but you seen to have a good mental attitude and that will take you far. There will be ups and downs and that's where this board excels. We are the most supportive, loving group and we will hold you, hug you, advise you and just be there for you. So Mandi, you have come to the right place.
    Stef

    Thanks
    Thank you Steph...It's really great to be able to talk to people have have walked a path that I am getting ready to. It's very scary right now because I don't have a clue what to expect, or really what to do. I am sure I will have lots of questions for you ladies coming in the near future. So glad I have someone to talk to :)

    Mandi
  • Jeanne D
    Jeanne D Member Posts: 1,867
    Mandi ☻
    I was only 34 the first time I had bc, so, I know what it is like to be young and hear those words. Just take it one day at a time and try to stay positive. Also, you can check with the ACS about help with finances. Have you had a biopsy then already? And, you meet with your oncologist tomorrow? You really won't know your treatment plan until after whatever surgery you have is done. That is when you get your pathology report that actually tells in detail everything about your bc. I want to wish you good luck!

    Love, Jeanne ♥
  • fauxma
    fauxma Member Posts: 3,577 Member

    Thanks
    Thank you Steph...It's really great to be able to talk to people have have walked a path that I am getting ready to. It's very scary right now because I don't have a clue what to expect, or really what to do. I am sure I will have lots of questions for you ladies coming in the near future. So glad I have someone to talk to :)

    Mandi

    There will be many, many
    There will be many, many people to talk with and to help you through this. Some will jump in to help you understand what your path report says, others will be there for surgery questions, chemo questions, rads questions, hormone therapy question etc. Almost any question can be answered by someone and if not someone will know where to go to help. And then of course they will be your team. They should be there to answer your questions and to do so thoroughly and completely. One suggestion I will make is to take someone with you to appointments. A 2nd pair of ears is good and you will be in a bit of a daze. And be your own best advocate. If it isn't clear, ask until it is. And no question, either here or to your team, is dumb. It can be scary but just know that we have some long, long term survivors and we are all warriors. And so are you. That's a very cute picture of you. My heart always goes out to you that are so young facing this. Mimi can tell you about another board that has young survivors that you might want to touch base with also. There are often unique issues faced by younger women and it helps to talk with that peer group as well.
    Again, we are here and you are in my kindest thoughts.
    Stef
  • AmandaMarie29
    AmandaMarie29 Member Posts: 55
    Jeanne D said:

    Mandi ☻
    I was only 34 the first time I had bc, so, I know what it is like to be young and hear those words. Just take it one day at a time and try to stay positive. Also, you can check with the ACS about help with finances. Have you had a biopsy then already? And, you meet with your oncologist tomorrow? You really won't know your treatment plan until after whatever surgery you have is done. That is when you get your pathology report that actually tells in detail everything about your bc. I want to wish you good luck!

    Love, Jeanne ♥

    Jeanne
    Yes, I had my biopsy already, my surgeon removed 2 masses. There is still a few more spots that need to be taken care of. I meet with my surgeon tomorrow to see what he recommends to do. I don't have an onocologist yet but I am sure that will be addressed tomorrow also. I am keeping my fingers crossed! Thank you sooooo much!

    Mandi
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294

    Jeanne
    Yes, I had my biopsy already, my surgeon removed 2 masses. There is still a few more spots that need to be taken care of. I meet with my surgeon tomorrow to see what he recommends to do. I don't have an onocologist yet but I am sure that will be addressed tomorrow also. I am keeping my fingers crossed! Thank you sooooo much!

    Mandi

    Mandi
    I am sorry. You mentioned that you are a full time student. Does your University provide a health insurance?
    Some Universities do. Find out if your University has a social worker who can help with insurance issues. Also when you see your oncologist ask about financial assistance.
    Hugs
  • Dawne.Hope
    Dawne.Hope Member Posts: 823

    Mandi
    I am sorry. You mentioned that you are a full time student. Does your University provide a health insurance?
    Some Universities do. Find out if your University has a social worker who can help with insurance issues. Also when you see your oncologist ask about financial assistance.
    Hugs

    I am so sorry!
    Dear Mandi,

    I didn't have insurance when I was diagnosed either. I honestly was more concerned about finances than my initial diagnosis. I found out through my ob/gyn office that there was a program in my state that pays for breast screenings and biopsies for women without insurance. Ask your doctor. The advice above about talking to your university is a good one too.

    Do check out the young survivor's network on this website. I'm ten years older than you ... but I've been amazed at how many young women like you are going through this. I'm so sorry that you're having to deal with this. I'll be thinking about you tomorrow.

    Much love and a big hug,
    dh
  • dyaneb123
    dyaneb123 Member Posts: 950

    I am so sorry!
    Dear Mandi,

    I didn't have insurance when I was diagnosed either. I honestly was more concerned about finances than my initial diagnosis. I found out through my ob/gyn office that there was a program in my state that pays for breast screenings and biopsies for women without insurance. Ask your doctor. The advice above about talking to your university is a good one too.

    Do check out the young survivor's network on this website. I'm ten years older than you ... but I've been amazed at how many young women like you are going through this. I'm so sorry that you're having to deal with this. I'll be thinking about you tomorrow.

    Much love and a big hug,
    dh

    Hey Mandi
    So sorry that

    Hey Mandi
    So sorry that you're having to deal with this at such a young age. Also ask the people at the hospital about the insurance ...they will know all the available programs for non insured people.There is help out there, so focus on getting well and worry about the finances later.
  • pinkkari09
    pinkkari09 Member Posts: 877
    Amanda
    Amanda dear, you are so young to be dealing with cancer....I thought I was too young at 37. First of all my thoughts and prayers are with you to be strong and find the best medical care!! As far as finances go, my Oncologist told me "insurance or no insurance Kari you will be getting the same medical care" as hard as it may be now is not the time to worry about money matters. Its really hard, but I try my best to keep my mind off the $ and on the care. I know of a few places that you can go for assistance in medication once you get going and I have a couple other web sites that can help out. In the meantime, you should have a social worker at the hospital or clinic of your onc. who can guide you in the right direction. You have come to a wonderful place full of tons of advice and support!!
    (((Hugs)))
    God Bless,
    Kari
  • LC815
    LC815 Member Posts: 155
    ACS
    At your hospital, there might be an on-site Patient Navigator from the American Cancer Society. You can ask there or call ACS at 1-800-227-2345
  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member
    Welcome, Mandi. Sorry you
    Welcome, Mandi. Sorry you are here but know that we're all here to support you through this journey. Keep us posted once you meet with your doctor and ask any questions and someone on here will come back with their experience. Best of luck to you!!
  • Marlene_K
    Marlene_K Member Posts: 508
    Support
    It's scary, Mandi, no doubt. I don't think any of us are ever totally prepared to hear such scary news, especially at the young age of 29! I know I was in denial for a long time even after my biopsy. I didn't think it could be true and wanted very badly to wake up from this horrible nightmare I was having. You truly have found a wonderful support system by coming to this site. There are so many strong, beautiful, knowledgeable and helpful women here and as you go through the course of things, it's a real good feeling to know that you're becoming 'one of them'. You, too, will be a survivor and will one day have the right words to help someone feel better about what they are about to face. Every step is a scary one, but asking anything at all that you want to on these boards and getting numerous replies from women who have walked in your shoes is just phenomenal! It helps tremendously to know that beating this is very possible and probable! Things have come a very long way!

    Wishing you the best of bad news, Mandi, and hope you'll post after your appointment.

    A caring sister in pink ;) Marlene
  • outdoorgirl
    outdoorgirl Member Posts: 1,565
    Mandi
    these ladies have been great and really stepped up to the plate so I can't add anything but to say welcome-and sorry that you have to be here.I'm glad that you found this board-it will be invaluable to you for many reasons,I hope.It was and still is a God send to me!
  • AmandaMarie29
    AmandaMarie29 Member Posts: 55

    Mandi
    these ladies have been great and really stepped up to the plate so I can't add anything but to say welcome-and sorry that you have to be here.I'm glad that you found this board-it will be invaluable to you for many reasons,I hope.It was and still is a God send to me!

    Oh my goodness!
    OMG...you ladies are awsome! Thank you all so much for your concern with me, I truly appreciate it. I will let you know what I find out from my appointment today...*positive thoughts* I know that I will be alright, I have always been a metally and physically tough. I am ready to kick the crap out of this thing! I feel like I have a second family here which make me even stronger...Thank You!

    XOXO

    Mandi
  • outdoorgirl
    outdoorgirl Member Posts: 1,565

    Oh my goodness!
    OMG...you ladies are awsome! Thank you all so much for your concern with me, I truly appreciate it. I will let you know what I find out from my appointment today...*positive thoughts* I know that I will be alright, I have always been a metally and physically tough. I am ready to kick the crap out of this thing! I feel like I have a second family here which make me even stronger...Thank You!

    XOXO

    Mandi

    You go,girl!
    That's the way to stand up and face "the beast"!!
  • Deb1969
    Deb1969 Member Posts: 165

    You go,girl!
    That's the way to stand up and face "the beast"!!

    Im from Georgia and I know
    Im from Georgia and I know the health dept has a program that helps women with cancer and no insurance.
    Deb
  • newbiefromcananda
    newbiefromcananda Member Posts: 234
    Deb1969 said:

    Im from Georgia and I know
    Im from Georgia and I know the health dept has a program that helps women with cancer and no insurance.
    Deb

    hello mandi and welcome
    I

    hello mandi and welcome

    I live in Canada so I can't help out with the insurance part but just know you are not alone , I found this site about 1 month ago as I am newly diagnosed at 38 , the woman on here are AMAZING and I feel sooo good when I come here so again welcome...... and best wishes Lisa
  • Sunrae
    Sunrae Member Posts: 808

    hello mandi and welcome
    I

    hello mandi and welcome

    I live in Canada so I can't help out with the insurance part but just know you are not alone , I found this site about 1 month ago as I am newly diagnosed at 38 , the woman on here are AMAZING and I feel sooo good when I come here so again welcome...... and best wishes Lisa

    Hi Mandi
    I'm more than double your age and it saddens me to hear that this beast has locked onto such a young woman. You already sound like a survivor. I don't know much about the financial solution but sounds like you might have some options, just need to check them out. You will need to explain your situation to all your drs. They may know of resources too. Wishing you the best and hoping for better days for you soon. Let us know what's going on and welcome to our young sister. You have a huge family here already in place, just waiting to help and comfort you. Let us help!
  • Eil4186
    Eil4186 Member Posts: 949
    Mandi, so sorry to hear of
    Mandi, so sorry to hear of your diagnosis. But welcome to the site and pleasr know that we are here for you. I am not very knowledgeable about financial programs but I do know that each cancer has a social worker who can help you. He or she can provide you with information and hopefully help you to navigate any paperwork necessary to get you the assisstence you need. Good luck and please keep us posted.
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    Eil4186 said:

    Mandi, so sorry to hear of
    Mandi, so sorry to hear of your diagnosis. But welcome to the site and pleasr know that we are here for you. I am not very knowledgeable about financial programs but I do know that each cancer has a social worker who can help you. He or she can provide you with information and hopefully help you to navigate any paperwork necessary to get you the assisstence you need. Good luck and please keep us posted.

    Hi Mandi, Welcome to our
    Hi Mandi, Welcome to our club that no one really wants to join. So very sorry you have to be here. You will find so much help here and some answers to your questions and just be able to vent when you need to with no one passing any judgement. This cancer thing is a scary thing and it helps to be a part of a group that can really understand what it is your going through. I wish you luck and again welcome.