Breast cancer awareness

[jezza]

Hi all

I've been thinking about posting for a while, and (especially since it is breast cancer awareness month) have finally psyched myself up to post.

Last month I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I am 36 years old, and low risk on pretty much every measure. I had my children in my 20s and breast-fed them both for a year or more. I have a healthy lifestyle and am a healthy weight - drink very rarely, no real family history. So when I checked my breasts and found a lump I was sure that it would turn out to be a cyst or something benign. Lucky for me I was checking my breasts fairly regularly as 2 of the other mums at my kids' school have recently had mastectomies. I found the lump on a Saturday night. Although I thought it would be fine I still went to the Dr Monday morning. She ordered tests which came back showing it was cancer. 3 weeks and 5 days after finding the lump it was out, along with all my lymph nodes (as some of them also came up positive for cancer).

Yesterday I started my chemotherapy, which will be followed by radiotherapy, then another operation for a double mastectomy and reconstruction (as some of the tests showed the cancer will definitely come back in that breast without a mastectomy, and the risk for the other breast is too high for me to want to chance keeping it). Luckily the tumour was hormone receptor positive, so I can also use hormone therapy to reduce my risk of relapse.

Sorry this is so long - and thank you for reading if you have got this far. I just wanted to pass on these messages...
1. Breast cancer can affect young women - I had my first chemo yesterday and my nurse said that the youngest woman she had seen with this was 17!!!
2. Breast cancer can occur when you are pregnant or breastfeeding - there is no time of immunity.
3. Knowing your own breasts and checking them regularly is the best way to pick up anything as soon as possible. Even though I was checking pretty often my cancer had still got to a Grade III tumour by the time it was taken out. That's scary, but still way better than Grade IV, which is once it has advanced to other areas of the body. I am so grateful that I checked and acted as quickly as I did.

I was checking more than at other times in my life because I'd seen the experiences of the other women at my kids' school. I hope that by sharing my experience with you it will help remind people how important these checks are. 1 out of 9 women will get breast cancer by the age of 85, and many seem to think that cases in younger women are on the increase. So, while I really hope that none of you have to go through this experience, I just feel the need to let you know that with this disease early detection is the best thing you can possibly do.

Much love
Jennifer

[tamarab30]

Hi Jennifer
I'm so sorry to hear that you are going through this. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us all here, you are a very brave and wonderful woman.
I hope that you have a strong support system irl, as you definitely have one here.
All my love, hugs and healing strength xxx

[sweetchili]

Huge hugs to you Jennifer, thank-you very much for sharing with us. You have definately touched my heart, and have reminded me to check.

I cant begin to imagine what you are going through, although i am sure you have your down moments(as we all do) you are a very strong woman and that strength will help you continue along the path of chemo and radio therapy. Which i know through my brother is a big deal and will be very draining for you.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let us know if there is something we can do for you. I am not sure were you are located...but i am sure some of us, myself included, would love to help you out with meals and assistance of any kind..especially for those days and nights after chemo doses when you will be very tired.

Thank-you again for sharing with us.
Take care of yourself.

[Jaye2]

Best of luck with your treatment program Jennifer - I was talking about this topic the other day with my mother-in-law, who just celebrated her second cancer-free year; my daughter was a newborn and her own mother had passed away a couple of weeks before her diagnosis, and like you she chose to have the double mastectomy. It can be a rough road to travel on, and she swore by keeping positive and not letting anyone be around her who wasn't operating in a similar mindset... and she's been doing support group work and volunteer stuff for the local hospice ever since.

For me, it's always been someone else, someone distant, an acquaintance of someone I knew, so this really hit home pretty hard, and I am planning on getting a thorough checkup once I am finished breastfeeding my son. I'm only a couple of years younger than you.

I wish you strength, and thanks for sharing your story.

[Marmee]

Thnak you for sharing, Jennifier.

I am supporting a friend through the very same stages that you are going through now. I wish you strength, lots of support and immense love xoxo

[jezza]

Thank you all for your kind, supportive words.

I am lucky enough to have a wonderful support network. My parents live just around the corner and are always ready to help in any way. We have lovely friends in the local community and at our children's school, who have helped with after school plays, making meals and just being there to talk. One of my husband's friends came over today to do a reiki, reflexology and aromatherapy session with me, which was wonderful! Another friend is coming over this evening to give me a short haircut in preparation for my hair beginning to fall out over the next couple of weeks.

So, as you can see, I am very blessed to have so much love and care around me. It also helps to read your lovely, encouraging comments. Thank you for taking the time to write - I feel that my strength is increased by knowing how many people are wishing me well.

Jennifer

[Nessi's mum]

Dear Jennifer

Thank you so much for sharing your story. I am the same age as you and never check my breasts. After reading your story, it made me wake up. My heart goes out to you and your family. It sounds like you are a wonderful person, going thru all ths and taking the time out to help others. I just finished reading "anti cancer a new way of life" by Dr David Servan-Schreiber. I found it up lifting to read and positive about using food to help with cancer treatment. If you would like to read it, I would be happy to post it to you.

Hugs Tina

[smurray]

Dear Jennifer,

Thank you so much for sharing. I was touched by your words, and your courage and optimism.
I have been neglecting my own health, with young kids, and reading what you wrote is a good reminder that I need to look out for my health and check my breasts regularly.
My grandmother was a proud breast cancer survivor, successfully going through surgery and chemo in her 70s. She lived independently and very actively until she was 95.

thanks again

[jezza]

Thanks Tina and smurray. That book sounds interesting Tina. I feel a little bit on information overload just now, but might come back to you about it in future - thank you for your kind offer to send it.

J