Dear Ladies. I am 37 years old. My journey with cancer started just before the Christmas 2017. Initially diagnosed with adenocarcinoma endometrioid stage 1a in West London hospital. Had two operations already just after Christmas and Nee Year with radical hysterectomy and lymph nodes removed came back clear. Had mixed thoughts and started seeking 2nd opinion. Lucky I was I did. Had 2nd pathology review in Royal Marsden which revealed mixed origin cancer to include serrous clear cell and predominant adenocarcinoma. I had just completed 1st round of Carbo Taxol and still feeling ok just tired. I found it difficult to relate to anyone with cancer as a fairly young mum of 3 year old boy and 16month old girl. After shock I have accepted the diagnosis and feel my children give me a massive drive to go through it. I have a cancer sufferers 'bible' 'Anticancer' and try to adhere to most recommendations.
Are there any young mums out there??
Lots of Love to all wonderful Ladies out there
Written by
MartaCiom
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I'm not a mom, but I sure feel for you and what you're going through. May your children continue to give you joy and drive! Don't try to do everything yourself. You need some healing time.
And way to go on getting the second opinion! Big cheer from me.
I was 45 when I was diagnosed my youngest was 13. I had my first child at 18 so also have young grandchildren. It’s so much to take on board for yourself and then worrying about them too. Your diagnosis is the same as me with mixed histology. Except I was stage 1C because the cyst was on the ovary not inside it
This is an amazing place for support and advice look forward to following your story
You have every reason to feel as you do, having just been diagnosed and trying to cope with young children on top of your recovery from surgery!
As long as you keep the focus on your convalescence, give yourself time to come to terms with all this even if it means asking for help and admitting to needing time on your own as you require enormous amounts of attention and care having been through this, at such a young age.
Remain positive and forward looking. This site is invaluable. There are many courageous women here who are presently fighting the beast! Reading through their stories has given me all the courage I need, as I feel I'm not alone in this.
It's been fouteen months since I finished my treatment for clear cell/ Endometrial adencarcinoma and so far I feel I'm returning to my previous self slowly but surely.
Keep strong for yourself and especially for your little ones. Much love,
I was diagnosed over 5 years ago aged 39 and found the isolation on top of every thhing else really difficult.
I was involved a couple of years ago in the Younger Women's Guide to OvCa. It was a joint project with all the main charities, Target Ovarian CAncer, Ovacome, Eve Appeal and Ovarian Cancer Action. You can get a paper copy from all of them or download.
There is a monthly meeting for younger women at one of the London Maggies' Centres (it used to be facilitated by one of the Ovacome nurses), Ovacome's website should have more info, or give them a ring during the week.
There are lots of blogs and stories on the Target Ovarian Cancer website- women of all ages and its worth calling their supportive services as I'm sure they will have some excellent links.
I can only sympathise as to how difficult it must be going through chemo while parenting such young children. I hope you have lots of family and/or friends to help you.
Hi there...I was 42 when diagnosed with oca, my children were 12 and 9 so a bit older than yours and at school in the day so I could rest. I can imagine it must be hard work when you are unwell with having much younger children, I hope you have some support from family and friends. My children were great whilst I was poorly and like you say they give you the strength and inspiration to keep going. It’s hard at the time but you will get through it. Wishing you all the very best with the rest of your treatment.
You aren’t alone. I was diagnosed at 38 with a then 7 and 4 year old. It’s been exactly 2 years since I was diagnosed, so I’m now 40 and my girls are 9 and 6. They really do give you something to live for, and I try not to let cancer get in my way too much for their sake (just finished second line treatment, but I was dx at stage 3 so much more advanced than you).
Like you, I sought a second opinion at the Royal Marsden, and I transferred my care there as a private patient, thanks to medical insurance.
Hi im 37 too and was diagnosided with 1c endometriod in st georges. Was trying to get second opinion in royal marsden but they refused...have no children was planing before all of it happened...
They have left unafected ovary only removing one. And i decited not to go through chemo because for endometriod they gave only 10% chemo would make a diference. Hope the pathology reports was correct...good luck with ur chemo and stay strong ! Ur children will be ur rock xxx
I’m older than you with a 12 year old son, coping with this and small children must be so very hard.
We are all made of incredibly tough stuff for sure! Milo gives me reason to fight, every day.. and forces me to put a smile on my face when I would otherwise not bother.
I’m sure you will find new friends on here in very similar positions. I wish you all the very best.
I was 48 when diagnosed and thought that seemed young but since then realised many younger women also get this insidious disease. My children were teenagers, with their own challenges, but I can’t imagine how hard it must be having little ones. I hope you are getting help and not trying to do too much, it is good to have the incentive to get through chemo but you also need rest. Take up any offers you get! also as someone said there are groups for younger women and the charities have produced a guide for younger women which you can get from Ovacome or Target Ovarian Cancer. You are not alone.
Wishing you strength for the journey, you can do this.
Hi Marta - I’m 37 and am single mum to 3 joys - a bit older than your wee ones (17 boy, 12 boy & 9 girl). I am in the “pre-diagnosis” stage. Mass was found by my GP - I was there for abdominal pain this was 22 Feb 2018. Long story short I’m still waiting for appointment with a specialist. In the meantime going through all kinds of emotions about the what if’s - I want to say I’m planning for the worst but hoping for the best, but how much planning can one really do without answers. Just trying to be positive for my kids - we called the tumour ‘Melon’ cause my eldest didn’t like ‘tumour’. What’s this bible you mention? Very interested in getting myself a copy.
Dear Selkington. I am so sorry to hear you are still waiting to see a specialist. I hope you have managed to get the basic CA125 tests at least. Three Joys and 'melon' - the latter made me laugh. Kids come up with wonderful ideas Lets hope its fibroids - this is what I was hoping for at least...Surely its a postcode lottery with referrals to specialists. The 'Bible' its called Anticancer a new way of life by Dr David Servan-Schreiber - based on research and excellent lecture. I hope you will get your answers soon. Waiting is the worse...Best Wishes. Xxx
Thought it might be worth mentioning here- when the Younger Women's Guide won a BMA award , the overall winners were the amazing resources created by The FruitFly Collective. These are a range of age specific (cloud kits) for children who have a parent diagnosed with cancer. Sx
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Lets hope its fibroids - this is what I was hoping for at least...Surely its a postcode lottery with referrals to specialists. The 'Bible' its called Anticancer a new way of life by Dr David Servan-Schreiber - based on research and excellent lecture. I hope you will get your answers soon. Waiting is the worse...Best Wishes. Xxx
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