My Mom has breat cancer

jbrickley

Hello.  My Mom who is 62 was just diagnosed last week with breast cancer.  She first felt a lump in February whe she was in Florida, however the lump then went away.  About a month ago she felt it again this time much larger.  Her tumor is rather large more then 7 centimeters.  She aslo does have a lump under her armpit.  She will do chemo first, then surgery and then radiation.  This is not the normal treatment of surgery then chemo then radiation.  She's got such a positive attitude about all of this an her oncologist told us that if she is going to have this attitude, she will beat this.  I cannot imagine my world with out her she is my best friend and my everything.

Her oncologist said that he will not determine a stage until the tumor has been removed.  I suppose this is standard??  I just would love to talk to someone in a similar situation....please and thank you!

littletower

Just wanted to say hello and let you know that others will check in due time. So sorry to hear about your mom. Its so hard in the beginning with so many unknowns. As things become clearer and you learn more, please know that both you and your Mom can come here for support and information. in the meantime, have a ((((((hug)))))).

kmur

Hi jbrickley,

 Just wanted to let you know I have heard of many women who have followed this method of treatment. I think by treating in this way the doctors are able to actually see the tumor respond in the way it shrinks with the chemo. I am by no means an expert in this , I too have breast cancer and during chemo met women who are being treated much like your mom. When it was time for surgery the tumor was much smaller and was removed . There is much hope with the new rounds of chemo so do think positively and I wish you and your mom lots of prayers and good wishes.I hope some of the women who have had this exact treatment will respond soon,but as I said please know this is a common means of treatment.

Kim

jennyboog

I'm so sorry to hear about your mom.  That attitude will be crucial at times for her and for you, I hope she can keep it...bc can be an emotional rollercoaster ride.  Her tx plan is not unusal, I did this same tx, chemo, surgery, rads, my largest tumor was 5x7cm, they use this plan to help shrink the tumor before surgery, it helps them get clean margins and also conserve breast tissue.  I got my stage prior to things but they were a little vague and unsure about it, I think some dr's find it to be a "downer".  This site was a lifesaver for me so come here anytime you need info, support or just to vent.  Hugs and prayers going your way.

SharonMH

I am also so sorry to hear about your mom. I also had the same tx. Chemo first,surgery and  then rads This site has been so helpful.  I found it after my treatment was over but I still have learned so much from it. I am happy to say that I am NED now. Best of luck to you and your mom. SharonH

NancyD

Neoadjuvant chemo (chemo before surgery) is done quite frequently in higher stage cancers or cancers where the surgeon thinks they might not get clean margins, because if the chemo is successful and shrinks the tumor, the surgical outcome is much better. Another advantage is that the oncologist can see if the specific chemo is effective on her cancer, but that's not usually the main reason it's done.

I had four neoadjuvant doses of chemo (TAC), then surgery, then two more doses of TAC, followed by radiation and Arimidex, which I am still taking.

Staging after surgery is the usual protocol, but neoadjuvant chemo can make it a little hazy, especially if the chemo is completely effective in killing the cancer in her breast and any lymph nodes. But at that point, the staging is moot since it's primarily used to determine the treatment protocol, and by then your mother will have already been through most of her treatment.

If the size of her tumor really is 7cm then she is Stage III, and the only other part of the staging that would be determined is a, b, c which would be based on lymph node involvement.

AnacortesGirl

It sounds like she has a good oncologist.  More importantly, it sounds like she has a great daugher! 

I won't bother repeating what the other ladies have already said.  I, too, had similiar treatment.  But the support she gets from you will be a great help!  Be ready to listen.  There are a lot of thoughts, fears and questions that float through your head when you are going through cancer treatement.  If she wants to talk then you don't have to know the answers.  Sometimes we just need to get the words and thoughts out of our heads.

I'm wishing the best for your mother and you!  There is no reason not to think that she will beat this!