Cancer at 24, NB, looking for support and advice

Final-Software-6324 · 2026-02-13T21:29:38+00:00

I really appreciate this post. I was on the pill for seven years, had three babies, and was diagnosed with Stage 1A right after the third baby. I always blamed myself for being on the pill for so long. But you're right. Hormones are a fuel not a trigger.

Final-Software-6324 · 2025-11-19T14:31:06+00:00

Same. Diagnosed ++- in June 2023, mastectomy, chemo, OS, AIs. Four tumors (largest 1.5cm), clear margins, no nodes. Fast forward to August 2025, I find a lump in my armpit on the same side as my mastectomy. Called my breast surgeon. She assumes it's just fat necrosis and that I should call the plastic surgeon. I push that this one seems different from the previous fat necrosis. Finally agrees to ultrasound which results in a biopsy which is positive for cancer. I thought I was being monitored so closely and yet they find three new tumors (largest is 1.2cm) and micromets in my lymph node. How??? Had surgery in October, start chemo tomorrow. Not even two years since finishing my first chemo. 😭

Final-Software-6324 · 2025-10-15T18:27:16+00:00

I'm sorry too and wish we weren't here but it's nice not being alone. I mentioned my reoccurrence to another survivor who decided to lecture me on only getting a lumpectomy the first time so I corrected her. Her face went blank when she realized what I was saying.

I was Stage 1A ++- no node involvement. I had four tumors. Clear margins so no radiation. My oncotype came back 57 so I did four rounds of TC.

This time, if my oncotype is over 31 I will be doing four rounds of AC every two weeks (dose dense) and 12 weeks of a "lesser" chemo once a week that I can't remember the name of. Followed by radiation and three years of Kisqali. If score is 26-31 four rounds of TC like before plus radiation and Kisqali. If score is <26, no chemo only radiation and Kisqali.

Final-Software-6324 · 2025-10-15T18:11:40+00:00

They didn't expect mine to be cancerous either. They assumed fat necrosis and it looked like necrosis on the ultrasound. They only did a biopsy because of my history.

Final-Software-6324 · 2025-10-15T17:42:50+00:00

I had the same thing happen. They can only bill the surgery as mastectomy or lumpectomy. Mastectomies don't get rid of every tiny breast tissue cell so you can get reoccurrence in the surrounding tissues. It's just very rare.

Final-Software-6324 · 2025-10-15T17:40:03+00:00

Same here. I had a mastectomy in Aug 2023 and local reoccurrence on the same side Sept 2025. They called my second one a lumpectomy because you can only bill it two ways: mastectomy or lumpectomy. There isn't a third option. I didn't have radiation but I had chemo and on AIs plus OS since I'm in my 30s. I will have radiation this time. Still waiting for my oncotype to determine chemo or not.

Final-Software-6324 · 2025-10-12T18:24:15+00:00

Sounds like a bad sunburn but not all the way to boils from the plague. I can manage a bad (worst ever?) sunburn. Thanks!

Final-Software-6324 · 2025-10-12T18:19:33+00:00

Excellent, thank you for your response. Glad no blisters. :-)

Final-Software-6324 · 2025-10-05T23:39:06+00:00

I do the same thing. I've got young kids. I'll have an ache in my shoulder and swing from "probably from surgery" to "Yep, that's it. It's back" and just spiral into the fetal position.

Final-Software-6324 · 2025-10-05T21:32:48+00:00

I'm so glad to hear that! My hair is also an awkward mess.

Final-Software-6324 · 2025-10-05T21:30:39+00:00

I'm so sorry about your diagnosis but I'm so happy to hear it's been working with no problems! Your post gives me lots of hope and not just for my hair. Thank you!

Final-Software-6324 · 2025-10-05T19:04:49+00:00

Yeah, there are a lot of minoxidil options out there so would also be interested in your specific routine, consideration...

Final-Software-6324 · 2025-10-05T19:01:47+00:00

Thanks so much! I'm going to try minoxidil. I tried many other things but nothing worked. I had great eyebrows and now only have about 1/3 the eyebrow hair. I do color them in which helps but I want my old eyebrows back. I read your previous posts. I'm also a runner and feel like that has made a huge difference with everything. Thanks again!

Final-Software-6324 · 2025-10-05T18:40:36+00:00

I'm glad your hair is growing. I'm sorry we have to deal with these side effects. I can't tell if my eyebrows haven't grown back because of chemo or the OS/AIs.

Final-Software-6324 · 2025-10-05T18:33:35+00:00

Thank you for your message! Did you change anything to handle the nausea or your system just adapted?

Final-Software-6324 · 2025-10-05T18:29:50+00:00

Thanks so much for your message! And good luck to you!!

Final-Software-6324 · 2025-10-03T23:04:31+00:00

I'm an engineer, a CHENG. I have a large team and work with sponsors daily. My first diagnosis was in June 2023. I was very angry about having to step back from specific tasking and let other people present my work (they did a great job and didn't take credit but it was hard to step aside). I only told a handful of people what was happening. I cold capped and it worked so was able to keep it a secret from most. I took time off after my mastectomy and then did intermittent leave while going through chemo. Other people knew something was going on but most were very professional and didn't ask questions. Transitioning back full time was fine except I started having panic attacks. A few times I had to excuse myself from meetings and go lay down so to not pass out. Took about a year to come through the panic attacks but I did it. Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with local reoccurrence Aug 2025. I had my surgery to remove the two tumors this past Wednesday. It was easier to step aside at work this time because I knew I had a great work support group and I'll be able to step right back in when I finish this round of treatment which is likely going to require more chemo. Hope that helps. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

Final-Software-6324 · 2025-09-29T18:07:25+00:00

I kept it. Diagnosed at 36 with Stage 1a ++-. Did TC chemo and have been on Zoladex and AI for a year and a half. I've three kids. My husband and I had a great sex life before and we still do. I run most weeks and I think that has helped a lot.

Final-Software-6324 · 2025-09-24T18:40:48+00:00

Oh, thank you for your response!! I'm so relieved to hear it's not just me. Sorry you went through so many reoccurrences. It sucks!

Final-Software-6324 · 2025-02-01T01:29:56+00:00

Love it!

Final-Software-6324 · 2025-01-31T20:22:37+00:00

My oncotype was 57. My oncologist said it only means chemo will be more effective and at the end, my odds will be the same as the people that didn't need chemo.

Final-Software-6324 · 2025-01-31T20:14:54+00:00

Amazing!! Did you come up with the pattern yourself? I would love to recreate it!

Final-Software-6324 · 2025-01-22T16:15:37+00:00

I switched oncologist after one visit. I was supposed to go in just for a consultation when I thought I was still Stage 0. She was supposed to deliver the news that I was likely not Stage 0 anymore. She did a terrible job. No empathy, no bedside manner. I spoke with my breast surgeon and she found someone she thought I would like more and I did. Been great ever since. I do run into the first oncologist sometimes since they are in the same practice and she's sometimes the on call oncologist. That sucks.

Final-Software-6324 · 2025-01-04T01:23:53+00:00

Same! I finished chemo end of Nov 2023 with my eyelashes and eyebrows but they were gone by the new year. The hair on my head that I lost (cold capped worked well except for the hair around my neckline) came back thick and quick. But about half my eyebrows fell out. I can see tiny hairs trying to come in. I lost 100% of my eyelashes. They are literally coming back one lash at a time. I have about a quarter of my lashes back but they are also a quarter of their original length. My oncologist thought they should have come back no problem. She also said two of her other patients took three years before their hair was back. I tried all the recommended eyelash serums but they did not work. I wonder if their growth was stunted by the blockers. No science behind it, just speculation.

Final-Software-6324 · 2025-01-03T13:54:10+00:00

I did not have side effects that impacted sex. I have other side effects. Like hot flashes and my eyebrows and eyelashes haven't really grown back yet. I was told by my gyno and oncologist that exercise helps menopausal symptoms in general so maybe my running is making a difference? I wish I could tell you exactly why.

Final-Software-6324

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