My Mother was recently diagnosed with breast cancer

Maria_2008

My mother was recently diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer.  Unfortunately hormone therapy was not an option for her since the cancer cells did not respond to this type of treatment.  She has undergone two chemo treatments and the second one has been very debilitating.  She is fatigued all day and is eating less than she did after the first chemo.  In fact, she was able to eat three times a day after the first chemo but now she is too fatigued to even eat, although she has not experienced much nausea with the aid of the medication she has been given.  She has a third chemo treatment scheduled for next week which makes me very worried.  I am not even sure she will be able to attend her next appointment.  I contacted her doctor and he told me to call him next week before her appointment to let him know how she is doing. 

 I am beside myself with worry because she is 80 years old and dread to have her become any weaker than she is now.  Does anyone know if postponing her chemo would cause a setback in her treatment?  She seems to be getting worse instead of better.   I am at a total loss! 

Jule

 I am so sorry to hear about your mom. Are they checking her white and red blood levels throughout all of this?

Bren-2007

bump

Maria_2008

Thanks so much, Jule.  I am new to this web site and discussion board and did not expect to get a response so soon.  My mother had blood tests before her first chemo and right after her second.  We have not been contacted about the results so I assumed her oncologist has determined that she can contine with her third treatment.  She is just so weak at this time and can only stand up/walk briefly.  I just don't know what the consequences will be in terms of fighting the cancer if she is unable to attend her next therapy.  I will certainly discuss this with her doctor as I also wish to know if her chemotherapy sessions can be scheduled to better suit someone of her age without jeopardizing a successful outcome.

PatgMc

Dear Maria,

My daughter is also on chemo and really struggled with the second AC. On the third round the nurses had her come in on the day after chemo to get IV fluids which helped tremendously. She also was given a newer anti-nausea medication called Emend which made a huge difference in her ability to drink and eat. 

Lots of the weakness your mom is experiencing may just be a result of all the side effect medication. I will be praying that you get to the bottom of the problem and that your mom gets perfectly well. I'm a 14 year Stage II survivor and I pray that your mom will one day be saying that!

Love and a hug from Pat 

LuAnnH

Pat is right, hydration is HUGE, getting extra fluids from the onc is a good idea.  Chemo can be cummulative side effect wise and things can get worse with each tx.  Hopefully she will be done soon and can regain her strength.  Given her age, is it worth it to go this aggressive of a route?  Maybe something a little less harsh will help her recover and continue on with her life. 

Maria_2008

Thanks, Pat for your encouraging words.  My mother also takes Emend just before and after her chemo.  Thankfully she does not suffer from nausea.  But I will certainly inquire about having the IV fluids with her doctor.  I too will pray for your daughter that she will be blessed as you have been.

Love and Many Blessings,

Maria

Maria_2008

Dear LuAnn,

I only wish my mother was able to have hormone therapy.  Her oncologist was surprised that at 80 years old her cancer cells did not respond to hormone treatment.  The only treatment left according to him is chemotherapy.  I certainly know that this is taking a toll on her but at this time she is willing to go through it.  I can only pray that the outcome is favorable.

Jule

Maria,

Is she sleeping at night? I know after my treatments I have a couple of days where I do absolutely nothing but sleep. I would think with your mom's age she might have more days just because the chemo is so fatiguing. I asked about her counts, because if the red blood count is low she might be more fatigued.  

msannie

You and/or your mother should never be reluctant to phone your mother's oncology practice and let them know what state she is in.  There are many supportive medications; some women are reluctant to take them as directed and some have unusual reactions to them.  Some women suffer in silence or feel that they are "bothering" the doctor.  Don't assume that her doctor is basing continuation of treatment on blood tests.  It is important to follow up--ask what the tests said, what the plan is, what the chemotherapy drugs are--I know it sounds like a lot but you and your mother are the ones who are most interested in her welfare, more so than any doctor. 

And most importantly, especially at her age, is a frank discussion of the expected outcome and your mother's wishes.  My mother was diagnosed at age 69 and died at age 74.  She requested and received very aggressive treatment even though it was very difficult for her.  At the end, when she weighed 70 pounds and still wanted to continue to treatment, I had to step in and ask for a conference.  Her oncologist was a very religious man who believed in miracles, etc., but was blind to the effect that this treatment was having on her quality of life.  I encourage you and your mother to be very proactive with questions and plans--I do know how difficult it can be--but it is essential to her quality of life at this point.

Maria_2008

Jule,

She sleeps during the night and takes naps during the day.  However, she says its different from being sleepy.  It's her energy that is lacking.  I will call her onc this week to inquire about her blood test.

Maria_2008

Msannie,

Thanks for the heads up about not assuming anything when it comes to my mother's therapy.  I am trying to be as assertive as I can be about asking questions.  It's hard, however.  Some doctors seem so overwhelmed with other patients that they don't have enough time to answer your questions.  I'm an intelligent person and know how to speak respectfully to a physician but whenever I speak to her primary care doctor (who is not her onc) he is cold and abrupt.  All he wants to speak about is how terrible the health care system is and how there is really no one to help my mother if she is homebound.  He is ready to write my mother off.  I feel that he is discriminating against her because of her age and her disease.  I was in such a state of depression one day when I left his office.  From now on I will only speak to her onc about her treatments and any problems she is experiencing.  As you mentioned, I will not concern myself about whether or not I am bothering him. 

I'm so sorry that your mother succumbed to breast cancer.  And no.  I don't wish to see my mother suffer so either.  However, as my mother and I hope an pray for a successful outcome, we know that we may have to consider stopping her chemo if her overall health is being jeopardized.  She is a fighter, though and is not ready to give in yet.

Maria_2008

I don't know how the discussion board is conducted and did not know whether or not  to start another thread.  I have a question concerning the effects of cancer.  Has anyone heard of cancer causing one's blood to coagulate?  A CAT scan revealed a clot in my mother's lung for which she is being treated in the hospital.  She will have to take Cumedin (not sure of the spelling) and have blood tests regularly.  Is this the norm?