“Too young for cancer”

Well you weren't the only one I had cancer when I was 27 as a real rare kind older not a lot older now but I made it through it if that makes you feel better I know how you feel like you're isolated you go in to get the radiation no one your age in there but that's how it goes I'm sorry to say that it seems like everyone's in their late 50s 60s or 70 but I can tell you this it always gets better and you have something to tell your kids if you have kids later on good luck and I hope the best for you if you need anything just let me know Debbie

@kenzog33, I'd like to introduce you to @ana15vankoeverden who was diagnosed with pilocytic astrocytoma in the brainstem as a child. As young adults today, I think Ana as well as members like @jalamc @xdd @annalise @jessica0 get what you mean about cancer taking over your life and robbing you of your 20s.

You may also be interested in joining the AYA monthly support group on Zoom. They meet the first Thursday every month from 6- 8 p.m. Arizona time.

The next meeting is on April 6. See details here:
– YA, Me Too: Young Adult Cancer Support Group Meeting https://connect.mayoclinic.org/event/aya-adolescents-and-young-adults-support-group-3/

How are your radiation and chemo treatments going? How much longer will you be in Arizona?

Relatable stuff. I was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer when I was 23 as well. I’ve just started to be able to stomach how none of the plans for my future will ever pan out, how I won’t be able to tell my niece and nephew stories of how cute they were as babies. There is a lot of weight behind those words when people say it. It’s a devastating thing to have your youth taken away from you, not something imo that strangers should feel so comfortable throwing around.

@xdd, reality sucks. How do you move towards acceptance of a future unlike you planned for? Are there things in your control, like writing a letter for your neice and nephew or making a video? What plans are you able to make and look forward to? Am I out of line?

Yes, absolutely. I understand this 💔

I think until you mourn the “new reality” a step toward the future is not possible. At least for me. I think grieving what we’ve never had or mourning a loss of something we hoped for takes a lot of time.

I went in for a stomach bug in November of 2022. I was later told that day that I needed to call my family to pack a bag for me. I was so scared and just wanted to see my dogs. All of a sudden I went from having a bad stomach bug to having cancer at the age of 16. I wasn't able to leave the ER nor did I have any say in where I was going to be treated. We live in a small town and all of a sudden I was being driven to a big city waiting for a bed to open up. It was so scary and I had no clue what was going on. I was so fatigued and wasn't able to eat because I had lots of upcoming surgeries. I was almost delusional while they were making me make all of these decisions that would change my life for years to come. They also pushed trials on me and made me feel so bad for wanting to say no. Finally I found out about mayo and herd so many good things. We plan on switching me over to mayo the second I turn 18.

I’m a 25 year old with the same diagnosis, and I hear this all the time, “you’re too young to be sick” almost as if I’m not allowed. Instead, some empathy would be preferable. Or no comment at all. I’ve undergone two craniotomy’s within the past year and I have every right to be here getting treatment like anyone elderly would be too. I never know how to respond to those types of comments.

@kenzog33 My wife is currently 28 and I am looking for a strong support group for her. I want to support her however I possibly can. Thank you for sharing.

Im sorry you are going through this. I'll be praying for you. Much love your way