Asking For Help

sketchz624

Hello everyone.  I am not sure if this is the right forum to post this in but I'm sure somebody will be able to help me out.

 My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer recently and has just had her lumpectomy a couple days ago.  All has been looking good but tonight I found out her cancer spread to most of her lymph nodes.  I only understand part of what she tells me because she holds a lot back.  She is very strong and does not like to admit when she is worried or down.  I of course look up to my mom for this, however, I am a Serviceman far away from home and cannot be with her right now  so my mind is racing a hundred miles a minute trying to make sense of what is going on.  If someone here has been through a similar situation or knows someone who has, could you please take the time to reply to this and let me know what this sounds like or what's to come? 

Thanks,

Rob

amberyba

you have a strong mother, Rob...

Just because it is in her lymph nodes may not mean it has spread to to other organs, My sisters BC was in her lymph nodes but had not spread further than that, the lymph nodes protect the cancer from spreading, that is why the cancer goes there first....but if the lymph nodes have done all the work they can, the cancer can spread.

the good news is that the treatment for BC has made leaps and bounds over the years.

Encourage your mother to be open with you....and I found that prayer is one of the best medicines for worry....

1Peter 5:7

Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you.

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

About what is to come.the doctors will stage the cancer and run hormone test on the tumor...this will determine the type of treatment. Usually with a lumpectomy, radiation is administered.....usually 5-7 weeks of radiation....Chemo is also recommended for cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes, Varying drugs may be used and the length of time varies as well....often Chemo is done first then radiation.....so it is a long process....\

I am 1 year out from diagnosis, my sister is 9 years out. we are both cancer free right now

encourage your mom to rest and eat as best as she can, good nutrition is vital.

In Jesus Love,

Amber

carol1949

Rob,  I had a very large mass in my breast and cancer in 2 of my lymphs.  I had chemo and at surgery, the cancer was gone from my lymphs and I had no spread.  They may recommend chemo which goes after any stray cells that have passed through the lymph nodes. 

 Help her to stay positive and tell her to read Patrick Quillin's Beating Cancer With Nutrition!

dlb823

Hi, Rob ~ I'm sure it's difficult for you to be away from home right now, but you've come to a great website for information and support.

As you may already know, radiation (which goes after any microscopic cells that might have been left in the breast) is a standard follow up treatment after a lumpectomy.  Chemo becomes necessary (and will come before radiation now) because the bc has already shown that it knows how to travel from the breast by getting to the lymph nodes.  The chemo will destroy any bc cells that may be in her bloodstream.  I've just been through both, and although your Mom will have a long haul ahead with these treatments, thousands of women go through them each year, and go on to live many more years.

One question I would ask if it was my Mother, is if she had an MRI prior to her surgery.  Those are done to be sure they know the extent of the bc and don't miss anything.  I would also ask her how many nodes they removed, and how many were positive.  Depending on her answers to those  questions, I might have further suggestions for you to pass along to her.  I would also ask her about her doctors.  Does she like them, and is she comfortable with them?  Trusting that you have doctors who are giving you the very best care is very important.  Beyond that, I would be in touch as much as possible, because support is so important.  Just continue to let her know that you're there for her. 

I hope you'll keep us posted.  Please don't hesitate to come back and ask more questions as you get more information.  And thanks for being out there serving our country.  I know your Mother must be extremely proud of you.  Take care ~  Deanna

LMDuncan

Hi Rob

I had a mast in April 2007 and was positive in 17 of 23 nodes.  And my cancer had not spread to any of my organs.  I went through chemo the radiation and I am now on Tamoxifen to keep the estrogen at bay.  I am now coming up on 1 year anniversary and  I feel great.  And I have read about alot of women with as many lymph nodes as myself and they are farther along than I am. 

Lori 

nancypat

Hey Rob!

Your mom's situation sounds a lot like mine.  I had a lumpectomy March 2, 09.  She removed my sentinal lymph node (if cancer has spread, this is where it goes first) and a few others.  The path report confirmed that it has spread.  I go to see an oncologist and oncology radiologist next week.  My surgeon said, more than likely, that I would start chemo as well as radiation.  After I see these two other doctors; they would have a confab (I make up my own words) to decide the best course of action.  As this is all new to me I'm just taking one day at a time and it seems your mom is doing the same.  She probably doesn't want to overload you right now until she knows exactly what is going on.

Gramps was shot 5 times fighting in WW1 (and survived) and dad was a veteran of WW2 , Korea and Vietnam (USAF).  I want to thank you for what you are doing for the rest of us.  I imagine I might be around the same age as your mom.  I'm 55.  I don't profess to have the greatest knowledge but if there is anything I can do or say to help you and your mom; don't hesitate to ask.

God be with you son,

Nancy

diana50

hey rob

thanks for posting here to get some infor and support.  i was 49 when diagnosed with breast cancer and it had spread to 10/12 lymph nodes.  treatment was lumpectomy, chemo, radiation and arimidex.  now, 7 years later i am fine and doing well.  your mom is most likely dealing with all the information coming her way; i remember being very overwhelmed from hearing the words.."you have breast cancer'  to all the "stuff" i had to do after the dx. this includes; scans, bloodwork, surgery, referrals to onoclogist...get dates for ALL of it to start .  i remember needing some time to "wrap my head" around the cancer diagnosis...and myself get comfortable with it...in the ways it changes your life very quickly.  it is very scarey...and sometimes it takes a while to get comfortable.  i think the most important thing for me in the early stages was to have my loved ones "be there"  sometimes silently too.  hope this helps. 

hang in there

diana50