BREAST CANCER CELLS IN THE PANCREAS?????

pwilliams8128

My mom is 80 years young and has been very supportive through out my military career, supporting me every step of the way. As luck would have it, we purchased a home in Texas to get a little closer to my mom in New Orleans. This move was a blessing in disguise because when Katrina hit N.O. my family had somewhere to go(I had been stationed in San Diego for 18 years. ) Well my mom has never went back home because her house is not repaired as of yet. Two months ago, she was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer that has metasticised to her liver and possibly her uterus. It is so hard to see the rapid decline in her health and her spirit. Luckily for me, I am in the last 5 months of my Naval career, and I have a very supportive command that allows me the time to tend to her. So far I have seen the constant pain, weight loss, the appetite loss, swollen feet and constipation. As of now , I only have two questions. I was told that the cells in my mom's pacreas were breast cancer cells(She had a masectomy in 1979), but her diagnosis is pancreatic cancer, how is that possible? There has to be an easier way to get my mom to take her meds, any advice?
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Patricia Williams

pwilliams8128

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 9:57 am Post subject: Re: my mom/my best friend

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Hi everybody,

I feel like I am losing it. Just last week, my mom was sitting up and talking, not eating much, but she tried. Friday she went to not eating at all, to sleeping all the time,she hasn't used the bathroom in three days, and now she doesn't open her eyes. I know that I have been trying to prepare myself for this, but this is the hardest thing. I find myself yelling at my kids and husband for laughing to loud or yelling while watching football, just doing the normal things that they usually do. I know that I am not the only one going through this, but sometimes I feel like it. This is happening way to fast. Any advice you can give , I will appreciate.
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Patricia Williams

brainman

Patricia, I am so sorry to read about your mother's breast cancer and that no one replied to your first post. Unfortunately, it does not sound good. The symptoms you describe are usually the ones I list when people ask: "How do I know that the end is near? Crying or Very sad

Maybe your family does not know how serious your mother's condition is? I can totally appreciate your wish for peace and quiet. Rather than yelling at them, maybe have a family conference to talk about what you need from them would give better results. It would also give them time to express their feelings. Be sure to listen to them as well.

Is hospice involved in your mother's care? If not, you might want to get a doctor to make that order for her. They can also help with your family, helping them understand what is happening.

Involve your family in the care of your mother. You might have to be direct. Some people need to be told what to do, so specific orders might help them to focus on your mother and less on the football game.

Patricia, you and your mother are in my thoughts and prayers.

PS. I moved your topic to the Breast Cancer forum because your mother actually has breast cancer and because you WILL get more replies here.
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Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

Big Sister · Experienced user Joined: 02 Nov 2006 Posts: 65

Hello, Patricia -- Many of us here on the pancreatic cancer forum have written so many times about our own losses that we get worn out. Forgive us for not responding to you -- you need support, not silence.

Your mother is facing the end of her days. Losing her now, after a lifetime of her support for you, is hard to bear. All of us on this forum have lost - or are losing - someone very dear to us.

It's no exaggeration when I say that no matter how we prepare, how much we think we know about "the end" or about God or about life, my brother's death (and my mother's just 10 months before) was a sharp knife which pierced my heart and ripped it wide open. There were times I thought I couldn't stand one more moment.

Then it passes. Later, when you think you've comes to terms with all of it, have sobbed your last tears, repeated your sad story over and over to anyone who will listen, it stops. And when you least expect it, when you're shopping or watching a tape or eating a pizza, grief comes again like a terrorist, sneaking up on you, rolling over you, paralyzing you with pain so sharp you almost bleed with the savagery of it.

Then it passes again.

I don't know your mother. You didn't know my brother. None of us knows anything about the loved ones who are the subject of this forum, but it's your loss that I am writing about -- your sadness, your grief, your terror at losing her, and finally, your inability to stop what's happening.

I will ask you to check out a posting that I wrote some time ago entitled: "The End -- Thoughts on A Loved One's Dying." It may help during this time.

Please know that we've all been there. We have been so very, very busy with details and then too overwhelmed to move. We have hugged and kissed and then have then been unable to speak. We have read stories, sung hymns, recited poetry, all hoping that he/she would hear, and the softness of a familiar voice would heal or help or stop what we knew to be inevitable. As my brother began to slip away I told him I would grab him by the heels and pull him back if I thought I had the power.

I never did.

We are all thinking about you in Texas. Find comfort in the community of strangers. Sincerely, Big Sister

pwilliams8128

Brainman,

Thanks for your support. I am sure you know much about this than I do, but the doctor actually diagnosed her with Pancreatic cancer, but said when they did the biopsy, the markers came back as breast cancer markers, which is also in her liver. Ironically, my husband reached out to comfort me today, and it made me feel whole lot better. Hospice has been involved for the last two weeks, and they are wonderful. It is just so hard, which I am sure it is the same for everybody. Today, the social worker came to discuss arrangements for the uninevitalble. After he left, my mom was turned sideways in her bed, and when I went to move her, she asked "who is that? who is that, tell him I am already in church. I did read the hospice pamphlet "Gone from my sight" So I know it won't be long. I do take peace in knowing that we have had many long talks, laughs and good times. It still is so hard, but I know that she is tired and spiritually ready to leave us.

Pat
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Patricia Williams

brainman

Pat, I am sorry for any confusion. I was taking my quez from the name of your topic. It is also common for breast cancer to spread to the pancrease, liver, and other organs.

Best wishes to you and your mother.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

Muttsmom

Hi,

I'm so sorry to hear about your mom's dx. The most common places for Breast Cancer to come back to are the bones, lungs, liver and brain. Although not common, it can came back to the pancreas, kidneys and anywhere else it decides to mutate. Usually when it's mets vs a primary, it's more treatable, and as quickly as she's declining, to me it sounds more like primary pancreatic cancer, but I'm no doctor and I'm sure yours know what they are doing. I know it's possible, but having a recurrence after almost 30 years seems hard to believe, even though we're never safe from it happening.

I pray that her pain is able to be controlled. She's so lucky to have you there with her.

Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
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: 155

Hi Pat. I just saw your post and wanted to tell you how heartfelt sorry I am for what you and your mom are going through. It sounds like your mom has mets and not a new primary. Doc probably suspected new primary due to the 28 years it has been since her initial breast cancer diagnosis. One thing about having breast cancer is...you cannot ever stop looking over your shoulder. Breast cancer is really sneaky and could come back at any time, no matter the years. I'm sure doc was surprised to find that the markers were for breast cancer cells. I was going to suggest hospice, but then read that she has been in hospice for the last two weeks. It sounds like time is really near. Just comfort her and whisper in her ear that you love her. She will hear you. I can imagine how difficult it must be that this is so sudden, being that you just found out a few months ago. My thoughts and prayers are with you both.
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Where is the cure???
www.truefacesofbreastcancer.org
www.diepbreastreconstruction.org
www.bcsisters.org/forum
www.mybreastcancerstore.com

In

Hi pat-

I have been following you, and your mum's story. I have no words that will help you- but i am thinking of you. Take the time to share some good memeories, say what is needed, and Be with her. Hold her.

All my thoughts and wishes are with you both.
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Thinking of you Inica

*Administrator*

~Nose Cancer~
~Car Accident- Broken Back, Ribs, Spleen
Sternum~
~Continous Cervical Cancer~

My Story-
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=6731

Smile

9 Lives and still kicking Smile

pwilliams8128 · Posted: Thu Nov 22, 2007 3:49 am Post subject: SHE IS GONE

First of all, I want to say thanks to all who gave me some insight, on what to expect , and support during this very rough time. My mom passed away on the 14th of November at 0730. I was blessed to have a beautiful relationship with my mother, and even more blessed to be able to care for her during her illness. I came to this forum to get some knowledge of what to expect, but from day to day, as we dealt with this brutal cancer, I was still somewhat in denial, thinking I had more time. I remember when hospice came in and provided us with the hospital bed, and the bedside comode. My mom looked at the comode and said "I don't need that". Three weeks later, she had to be picked up to be placed on that same comode. One day I came home from work, and rushed up to her room with my pillow and blanket to sit for our daily discussion, and because of the long nights of tending to my mom, I unintentially fell asleep, little did I know that would be the last time I would hear her voice; from then on it was two blinks for yes, and one for no. Today it was a week that she has been gone, and I miss her so much. The one thing that I think about daily, is what she said to me about three weeks ago, as she took her medicine. She said " wouldn't it be wonderful if I woke up in heaven tommorow, I would be shaking hands with all my family and friends". She was spiritually ready, and she wanted me to know that. I was blessed to have her for as long as I did. To anyone that is beginning to deal with this, enjoy every second, every minute. My mom's name is Myrtle Vaultz , you can google her or go to NOLA, and read her obituary to get the short version of the beautiful life she lived

To Rachel, you were right that it wouldn't be long, I took your advice and told my sisters to come sooner than they had planned, they came here on the tenth of November, and left on the thirteenth, my mom passed the next day. Thanks

I am here, for anyone that needs another ear.
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Patricia Williams

Muttsmom

Hi Patricia,

I'm so sorry to hear of your mom's passing. Cancer is such a cruel disease that knows no boundaries. I hope knowing she is no longer suffering and is at peace now, helps a little. She was so blessed to have you as a daughter, as you were to have her as a mother. We'll keep fighting the battle to find a cure for this beast as she did for all of us.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
_________________
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: 155

Patricia. I am really sorry you lost your mom. Just know that she is watching over you and loving you from heaven. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time of grief. May God speed your emotional healing.
_________________
Where is the cure???
www.truefacesofbreastcancer.org
www.diepbreastreconstruction.org
www.bcsisters.org/forum
www.mybreastcancerstore.com

Vee Smith · Moderator Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 648 Location: UK

My sincere condolences. You have shown great courage and fortitude, and I hope that you will soon be able to remember the good times and forget the bad.

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