mom just found out

momsick · New User Joined: 10 Feb 2005 Posts: 8 Location: london, ky

my mom just found out yesterday that she had breast cancer. They removed an egg sized tumor from one of her breast monday and she got the news yesterday that it was malignant. She goes to the hospital next wednesday for surgery. They said they were going to remove the lining of her breast and check her lymph nodes to see if the cancer had spread to them yet. Then she has to take twenty some radiation treatments and possibly chemo. By this scenario can anyone tell me if this is bad or have they caught it early enough to get rid of it. Any information would be appreciated. God bless!

Shawn

sgishelly · Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 3:10 pm Post subject: Re: mom just found out

Good luck to your mom. It sounds like they are doing what needs to be done. If the tumor was contained with no lymph node involvement...that would be better. Are they going to check all the lymph nodes or do a sentinal node biopsy? Just know that whatever happens, there are lots of people here with lots of info...so as any questions arise, just post them and someone will be along to answer.

I am currently having chemo and will be beginning radiation in April, and will then be on Tamoxifen for 5 years. I'll be glad to answer any questions about that as well as the surgeries that I've had...they are listed at the bottom of this post in my signature. My prognosis is good. There are many more women here who are a lot more knowledgeable than I am who will give you their input as well.

Hope this helps and your mom is lucky to have you in her corner.

Shelly
_________________
Shelly
Dx Nov 1, 2004 at 40 y/o
Right MRM, Left Simple Mast. - 12/9/04
Stage 2A IDC -
Primary tumor 1cm
3+ / 14 nodes, ER/PR+, HER2-
34 rads - finished 5/25
chemo - AC and Taxol FINISHED 7/6/05
beginning reconstruction 2/06
brain mets 4/06 - now stage 4

momsick · New User Joined: 10 Feb 2005 Posts: 8 Location: london, ky

They said it was an eggsized tumor. How big is that as far as centimeters. I've found information about 2cm and 5 cm. If it's less than 2, more than 2, less than 5, more than 5. A lot of information to decipher. I don't know if they are going to remove lymph nodes or what. I haven't spoken with the dr. myself so am just going by what i have been told by mom. Does a bigger tumor mean the cancer is worse? It's overwhelming! I guess wednesday will tell us a lot more. Thank you!

sgishelly · Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 7:16 pm Post subject: Re: mom just found out

There are about 2.54 centimeters in an inch. So you can kind of figure it out from there. I had a 4 cm lymph node and I figured it was about the size of a plum. One thing the doctor told me was not to look as stats on the internet because they are not accurate because if they are 5 year stats, they start 5 years ago...not now going forward. And there are new advances everyday so chances are better now. Don't panic but if you can go to the doctor with your mom...someone should go with her because it's a lot of info to take in on your own...the more sets of ears there, the better.
_________________
Shelly
Dx Nov 1, 2004 at 40 y/o
Right MRM, Left Simple Mast. - 12/9/04
Stage 2A IDC -
Primary tumor 1cm
3+ / 14 nodes, ER/PR+, HER2-
34 rads - finished 5/25
chemo - AC and Taxol FINISHED 7/6/05
beginning reconstruction 2/06
brain mets 4/06 - now stage 4

Minnlady13 · Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 8:56 pm Post subject: Re: mom just found out

Your mother's treatment sounds pretty standard. Like Shelly said, a lot will depend on what they find in the lymph nodes. Also, the hormone receptivity of her tumor will dictate additional medication she may be urged to take. I know that you must feel frightened and nervous about all of this, but it is doable. Women survive breast cancer every day, and more every year. If you can, like Shelly suggested, go to the doctor's appointments with your mom. It will help you understand what she is going to go through and a second set of ears is always helpful for the patient. There is a lot of good information at the Imaginis.com web site. I suggest you check it out. Don't hesitate to come here with questions and concerns, too. We will do what we can to help both of you. Hugs, Lauri
_________________
Diagnosed 4/11/1996
Lumpectomy, 6 mm tumor
Neg. nodes
ER/PR+
33 rads
Tamoxifen, 5 yrs.
NED

Muttsmom · Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2005 11:04 pm Post subject: Re: mom just found out

Hi,
I found an "egg size" mass in my breast 3 years ago Monday. My tumor ended up being 5.5 cm. That included any tissue around the actual tumor that had cancer cells in it as well. The didn't do SNB 3 years ago when I was dx, so when they did the mastectomy, they removed all my lymph nodes as well. As you can see at the bottom of this page, I had 9 positive lymph nodes out of 16. It's always better not to have lymph nodes involved BUT, IF she does have positive nodes, that doesn't mean that she can't live to be a ripe old age. Having positive nodes doesn't mean the end of the road. I know quite a few ladies, like me were dx with Stage III and had as many nodes positive as me and some more and they are doing great 5, 6 and 9 years out. Treatment is even better today then it was 3 years ago when I was dx. I was also considered "high risk" because I was "young". They will check and see if she is hormone receptive, which means that her cancer feeds off of hormones (estrogen and progesterine). That is a good thing because there are meds out there that, like me, I'm taking for 5 years. The one I'm taking is Arimidex. If she's estrogen/progesterine negative, again that does NOT mean that she won't live to be a ripe old age. They can tell alot by testing the tissue they remove. I'd definately have someone be with your mom at every visit. It is very overwhelming to hear that you have BC and I know I didn't hear 1/2 of what my oncologist said. Not that I wasn't listening, but our brains shut down when it can't absorb anymore and every visit, whoever went with me heard things I didn't and that was good. Have her write a list of questions that she has so she doesn't forget them. Another term you'll hear is HER2. You'd rather have that negative. Someone with a tiny tumor and no nodes can have a reoccurence as well as someone with a large tumor and positive nodes can go and not have a reoccuence. There is no sense to this disease, it has a mind of it's own.
I personally, plan on being around for a long time Smile

Keep us posted and if you have any more questions, ask away. All of us have been there and done that or going through it now.

Hugs and prayers
Nancy
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

Cindy · Senior User Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Posts: 156

Hi Shawn. So sorry your mother and you are going through this. The docs will be able to tell you more once they do the surgery. It is very difficult to guess at it due to the fact that the pathology report is not in, for the nodes and the rest of the breast tissue. Once the docs have all of the info, after the surgery, they will be able to stage her. A 5cm tumor is about the length of a AA battery. Sending thoughts and prayers to your mom.
_________________
Where is the cure???
www.truefacesofbreastcancer.org
www.diepbreastreconstruction.org
www.bcsisters.org/forum
www.mybreastcancerstore.com

Marion · Experienced user Joined: 28 Nov 2004 Posts: 60

Hi, Shawn. So sorry that your mom has been diagnosed but as everyone has said, treatment today is so much better than it used to be. You didn't give your age but I can tell you my daughter (Soph in college) had the same questions you did when I told her. She was looking for any answers she could get. She went to the doctor with me and it was not only a great help to me but a huge help to her. Go with your mom if you can. I was diagnosed 10/14/04, had surgery, one node positive, 4 chemo treatments and now in 4th week of radiation. I'll have 4 more chemo treatments when radiation is through and hopefully by June will be finished and then on medication for 5 years and I can tell you I'm looking toward a ripe old age. My daughter was a great inspiration to me and told me "we're going to get through this together". I couldn't do this without her. She gives me strength to keep a positive attitude, and a positive attitude will go along way with your mom to make her feel as normal as possible. The treatments are excellent today and the prognosis is so much better for us than it used to be. You stay positive so that your mom will stay positive. Let us know her diagnosis and come back to us when you have more questions or need positive thoughts. We're here for you.

Marion

Judi · New User Joined: 13 Feb 2005 Posts: 4

I'm sorry to hear about your mom. Couple of things I want to say about breast cancer. It is not an automatic death sentence. We are all individuals. Your mom is her OWN person... not a stat...not a number. Just because she reads or hears of something happening bad to anyone else doesn't mean it will be that way for her. War stories abound. That's unfortunate because there's a lot of us survivors out here!

I was dx'd 6 years ago, at age 56...my whole breast was riddled with cancer right to the nipple. I had an MRM, my nodes removed (7 were positive) and an expander put in for an implant all at once. I went through treatment. Didn't throw up from chemo. Didn't burn horribly from radiation. I am a 6 year survivor now, Stage IIB.

My mom was dx'd 4 years ago at age 85 with a HUGE lump. HUGE. She was too frail for chemo and she is a bleeder. So they did only a lumpectomy, no nodes out, and radiation. She did fine with the treatment. No tamoxifen, or anything else because of her frailty. 4 years later, she got another big lump in the same breast. So she had a mastectomy at age 89 because they were concerned that it might ulcerate inside and for her, the bleeding is dangerous. She healed well. Her scans are clear again.

I have tips and hints on chemo...I had A/C and taxol. I share them. You tell your mom that you will both get her through this and we will help!

Hugs and prayers,

Judi
_________________
God gives every bird its food,
But He does not throw it into its nest.

MRM 5/98 - Stage IIB, 7 nodes affected, saline implant, A/C & Taxol, Radiation, ER- PR+, no tamox - tram flap - 6 year survivor

momsick · New User Joined: 10 Feb 2005 Posts: 8 Location: london, ky

Hey guys or ladies I guess I should say. Thanks for all the hope and prayers. You sure have eased my worries a lot. The big day is Wednesday the 16th. I will definiteley be there. I have already taken off work. Keep us in your prayers and HAPPY VALENTINES DAY to all of you!

Cindy · Senior User Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Posts: 156

Just checking in to see how things went for your mom and how she is doing.
_________________
Where is the cure???
www.truefacesofbreastcancer.org
www.diepbreastreconstruction.org
www.bcsisters.org/forum
www.mybreastcancerstore.com

momsick · New User Joined: 10 Feb 2005 Posts: 8 Location: london, ky

Hey, just wanted to update all of you on my mom. They went in and took the lining of her breast out and removed lymph nodes. My dad went and talked to the dr. yesterday. Dad said the dr. told him they removed 40 lymph nodes from under her right arm and 8 or 9 of them were positive i guess. 40 lymph nodes? Doesn't sound right to me. She has an appt. with the dr. on the 23 of Feb. I am going with her to get it straight from the dr. myself. I was with her the day of her surgery and couldn't hardly get him to talk to us. I have been trying to get her to go the Lexington, Ky to someone who specializes in this and oncologist. The dr. that is treating her now is just a general surgeon. Mom says she is comfortable with him. I'm trying my best to talk her into this. The plan now is radiation and chemo. Give me some input on this folks. Thanks.

Muttsmom · Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 1:12 am Post subject: Re: mom just found out

I've heard of one person who had 40+ nodes removed. I don't know the technical way to say this, so bear with me. There are 3 different levels of nodes. When they remove the nodes, they remove 2 of the levels. I had 16 total and between 15 and the upper 20s is what you hear about the most. I wonder if he removed the nodes from all 3 levels, instead of just the 2.
My opinion, you are right on about getting her to an oncologist who speciality is cancer care. I had to drive an hour each way to get to my med. oncologist and my radiation oncologist but I was going where I could get the best care and there were no oncologist where I lived at the time. Does this surgeon treat all cancer patients? I mean does he have the means and equipment to do the chemo and radiation? Even if he does, I'd get her out of there and to an oncologist. You are absolutely pushing her to do the best thing for her in my opinion. She needs someone who knows what they are doing and specialize in it. We're talking about someone's life, in this case your moms. I'd jump up and down and pitch a fit and drag my mother to a qualified oncologist.
Keep us posted and remember, I had 9+ nodes and I'm 3 years out, so just because she has alot of nodes involved, that doesn't mean she can't be a long time survivor. I plan on being around a long time Smile

Nancy
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

momsick · New User Joined: 10 Feb 2005 Posts: 8 Location: london, ky

He doesn't do the radiation and chem himself, i don't think. We have to take her somewhere in corbin, which is about 11 miles away from our town. They have a place that does it there. This guy does gallbladders, hernias, pretty much any kind of surgery. He's got the name of being a good dr., still he's not an oncologist though.

Judi · New User Joined: 13 Feb 2005 Posts: 4

I had 25 nodes taken and 7 were positive, so I had chemo. I did well with it, never threw up or was miserable. I was 56 at the time.

Your mom must see an onc. I had a general surgeon, a wonderful surgeon. But once I was dx's with breast cancer the next step was an oncologist. There is no substitute for that.

I have notes and tips on chemo, so email me when your mom finds out what her chemo will be. Moreta37@aol.com and put chemo in the subject line.

Again...your mom is an individual, not a statistic. If you and/or your mom don't like the onc you see, see another one, even if it has to be in the same group. We shop for dresses, there is no reason not to shop for our doctors!

I'm sending along prayers,

Judi
_________________
God gives every bird its food,
But He does not throw it into its nest.

MRM 5/98 - Stage IIB, 7 nodes affected, saline implant, A/C & Taxol, Radiation, ER- PR+, no tamox - tram flap - 6 year survivor

	Cancer Forums Forum Index -> Breast Cancer Forum	All times are GMT - 5 Hours Goto page 1, 2 Next
Page 1 of 2

A website for discussions about any type of cancer, including lung cancer, breast cancer, mesothelioma, prostate cancer, laryngeal cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and others