1. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Mon, Jul 27, 2009, 9:23 am PDT

One factor that isn't mentioned in this article is the sense of being alone in your diagnosis when you are so young. I was 33 when diagnosed, and always felt like some kind of one-off, freakish outsider. This was true when I went for treatment (lots of old folks) and when I attended information sessions (prior to surgery and chemo). I've never really gotten past that sense of aloneness (now 35), and really don't like to talk about it with my own peer group. It's like a shameful secret I harbour.

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2. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Mon, Jul 27, 2009, 2:45 pm PDT

One of the hardest parts while recovering from the cancer treatment was dealing with "chemo brain". When I was at work I couldn't think of the right words to use and it made me feel like an idiot, insecure and not confident. I was diagnosed at 39.

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3. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Tue, Jul 28, 2009, 7:42 am PDT

The comment by im_jd is very common with younger BC survivors. I am doing a study on the transition after BC treatments end and so far all the younger women feel this way. Traditional support groups and treatment providers have yet to adapt how they help these women deal with the unique psychosocial issues BC brings into a young women's life. Young BC survivors might want to look into the Young Survival Coalition http://www.youngsurvival.org or CancerCare's Young Adult program (including a FaceBook page) http://www.cancercare.org/get_help/special_progs/young_adults.php To im_jd: I would like to quote from your comment (anonymously if you prefer) in my study. While blog comments are public, I like to check in with the author before I quote. I can't seem to do a PM or IM to you from the blog. So you can just post another comment with a yes or no. You can also contact me through my Yahoo account caf57@yahoo.com if you want more information first.

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4. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Tue, Jul 28, 2009, 8:42 am PDT

Charlie, I am okay with you quoting me. Your study sounds interesting.

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5. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Wed, Jul 29, 2009, 4:06 am PDT

Thanks im_jd. I'll quote you as anonymous and the reference will cite the comments page to Lillie's blog.

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6. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Wed, Jul 29, 2009, 9:27 pm PDT

This is a general comment about this site. I think it is being monitored by the surgeons who are removing any comments negative about breast reconstruction surgery. On a previous post, I left my comment about my personal experience of not going through reconstruction because I didn't want to go additional surgery only to end up with unrealistic looking, totally numb lumps on my chest, with no sexual feeling whatsoever. I said having a flat chest is really not bad, and the rest of my body did not have to undergo other surgeries either. My comments were not out of line or inappropriate, just letting women know that not having reconstruction at all is a viable option. My comments are no longer there, although I see all the other comments from that post. Is this site one that really lets women express their opinion or an advertisement for breast surgeons? Please let me know why my previous comments were removed or I will write a letter to Johns Hopkins University protesting this site. thank you!!!!

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7. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Sun, Aug 02, 2009, 3:51 pm PDT

Doesn't anybody's quality of life affect how they choose to cope? What does this have to do with "being young" at diagnosis? Give me some solid examples please. I was diagnosed first time at 29, second time at 40. I can tell you it has not by any means been easy these past 11 yrs. How does one "learn" to die gracefully.

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8. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Tue, Aug 11, 2009, 7:39 am PDT

Missy: I have been thinking about your post. I am talking to women to try and understand what it is like living with BC after the first set of treatments. I understand how bizarre it can be to live in a society were there is an expectation that one should face death gracefully. Do you think it is possible to live without it overwhelming your life? Does anything help with that? Is there anything supporters of women like yourself should stop doing? Anything they should do more of?

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9. Posted by A Yahoo! Health User on Thu, Sep 17, 2009, 12:38 pm PDT

Congratulations Lillie on your survivorship! Your article here is "spot-on" I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the tender age of 24 and 28... Today I am 3 years beyond that recurrence and yes it is quite difficult. There are some important things you vaguely mentioned but a few details that I thought were worth pointing out... My daughters are now 6 years old and my energy levels are shot post chemo and radiation... It really takes a lot of energy to raise kids, work a full time job, take care of the house, take care of the husband... It's tough! I have to take naps... Dating sucks as a young survivor... I wasn't married the first time, had no kids, fresh out of college. Body image was a major hurdle for me. I told people straight up on the first date that if you are really into boobies that I might not be the one for them... I'm physically active, and the scar tissue and radiation damage give me many pains in the gym. Not to mention the mysterious slipped disc in my back that popped up a few years after the mastectomy. I was using my back to lift and carry my baby everywhere instead of using my arms and chest. I am so prone to injury. The threat of recurrence is constantly looming... so much so, that I have my treatment plan, my cancer center, and everything laid out already for if this thing comes back as a distant recurrence. On the flip side though... It's Great Being a Young Survivor! My best buds are all young survivors and they are the nicest people in the world. We party like there is no tomorrow, and we do not sweat the small or petty stuff. We support one another, and have silly events like Martini baby showers whenever someone adopts a new child, or maybe a Wine & Squeeze party... Everyday is a reason to celebrate, and since we are young... That's just what we do. It's the silver lining in my cloud.

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