Beginning My Breast Cancer Journey at 45

Jill, That's amazing that you found the lump on your own. I hope your treatment is going well for you

Nice to meet you Jill I’m on the same journey except it’s my right breast… had mastectomy on 11/10 my first chemo was yesterday…

I am sort of in the same boat. I'm 59yo I also have a tumor in my breast. Size 3.7 and is e+p+HER- I'm concerned as they've done no MRI. There going to do a check on my liver as I've had to have a procedure last year to open a swollen duck and have since been having pain in the same area after the procedure. It's been more uncomfortable to when eating. It's my first day of chemo. A little anxiety. I have peace from the Lord. I literally feel him holding my hand. I'm not one that's overly religious but this comfort is comforting if you know what I mean. I after telling them a year ago I had two nasty bruises on my breast that I didn't bang into anything they just one day were there. So they ordered a momogram they didn't see anything because I have dense breast. So here I am a year later with cancer in the same dang place. I asked to have an mri last year as I felt a lump and they denied it. Really. Again here I am. I had just happened to scratch myself when I felt something hard. My doctor got me right in for an mri. This is nothing on my doctor's side. Dam insurance!! I wish you well dear. Safe and quick, side effect less as well. In my prayers.

That’s exactly what happened to me six months after the mammogram. I just Partial Bilateral mastectomy which is lumpectomys and Removal of tissue I am doing non-aggressive treatments. No chemo no radiation pill from hell. There’s no guarantee either or so I rather be healing my body, then killing my body. Can you re-search dig deep I guarantee you’ll never regret going to see a functional doctor.

Denise, I’m with you, there is no guarantee

Hi! Do you know what about your cancer they are doing chemo for? If it’s not in nodes? I have similar dx stage 1b -2 and they are saying most likely no chemo. Just endocrine therapy + surgery of course. I’m just confused as why no chemo. Thanks!

If they say no chemo, is it based on some tests you had? My doctors told me no chemo because I had blood work done and it showed that chemo would not benefit me at all.

Waiting on results from oncogene (sp??) testing. Medical oncologist had said no chemo, but when final surg pathology came back, the sentinel node had a very small tumor, under 1 mm. The 2nd node removed had no cancer cells. So chemo is back on the table. I read up on it and listened to the Med Onc who explained that the test gives good statistics on when chemo will be effective and when not. The test calculates a score. I don't remember the numbers now (not needed today, so not remembering them until needed) but under a certain number, chemo isn't effective. A score over the magic number (25? 18?) and it is at least considered for risk/benefit.

Linda R I am also waiting for my oncotype score...........the cutoff number is 25. Hoping you and I have low scores and don't need chemo!

I too am waiting on oncotype results.

Nancy D and Charlene R Score 19. Some research showed a further breakdown of 0-18, for my age group no benefit to chemo. score 26+ good benefit from chemo. And, a score of 19-25 is a grey area, benefit uncertain. I considered everything for more than a week. Decided yesterday on no chemo based on earlier research recommending a cut-off of 25. No one was a fan of chemo for me, but I had to know for myself. I feel 100% better for having made the decision. I manage to always be just at a beat or two ahead of things. Late last summer I got COVID just 9 days before the next vaccine was approved.

Starting a breast cancer journey can feel overwhelming, but having a clear treatment plan is an important first step forward. This community is filled with people who understand what it's like to navigate diagnosis and treatment, and many have found strength in connecting with others who share similar experiences.