Scared but hiding it

buriedbytheodds

Hello. This is the first time visiting and posting for me. I'm very scared.

 Two years ago about the same time my grandmother went in for her mammogram and had rush surgery to remove both breasts and 14 lymph nodes from one arm. We were unsure then but it had matastisized into her skull/cervical spine and her lung. She went through treatment, "remission", and lived well until the tumors near her skull grew. She passed from complications of cancer and pnuemonia some months ago.

My mother had some issues with a painful lump on her ribs a handspan under arm (where the bra band goes). She often gets benign lumps (we had them removed before with no sign of worry).Unfotunately, it has grown in the last year and we are waiting on the biopsy results (Done yesterday). Her doctor was fairly certain it is cancer. 

 I am so very scared for her. To lose her mother and now this; I can't imagine how she feels. It's two fold for myself: two immediate generations of breast cancer in nearly the same places? I'm close to 30 and do self exams each month but it seems to grow quickly for us.

Can anyone point me to literature on this matter specifically? Anyone in my shoes? These 5 days are going to just drag by.

apple

I would just read these forums.. I don't have any specific books to recommend except - Anti- cancer. a way of live by David Servan-Schreiber.  It is a fantastic book if you fear the complications of cancer.  Sadly he passed away just recently having live 20 or so years with brain cancer.  there are all sorts of tips and it can be purchased used on Amazon or ebay if you are on a budget.

This forum is a wonderful place.. especially if you are scared.  There are 1000s of women who are scared here who receive much info and camaraderie.  I'm sorry about your mother and wish the best for her and you.

http://anticancerbook.com/

LISAMG

If your mom's biopsy comes back positive, she may wish to consider genetic counseling/ testing for the BRCA genes for hereditary BC. By doing this, you will have a clearer understanding of your risk since you would have a 50% chance of carrying a mutation ONLY if your mom has the gene. Sending benign wishes to your Mom! Keep us posted.

buriedbytheodds

Thank you ladies. Speaking with her tonight she revealed that when my father's mom was young she had breast cancer. Since she has been quite healthy as long as I've known her it has to have been long, long before me.

 I will talk to her about the BRCA testing when this comes back. Not sure how long it will take, she was pretty vague on what the doctor told her (or really spaced on it and just doesn't want ot say she forgot). I'm hoping by Thursday. 

I am scared for her. She is hoping that this is benign like other growths she has had but the sudden growth (it is the size of a softball or a bit larger) has me highly concerned it isn't. She says after the biopsy and the subsequent heavy bleeding that some of the pain has relieved. We attribute it to the swelling and increased blood vessels created by the tumor cells. 

She regrets not going in last year to have it checked but I am trying to get her to let that part go. I am insisting she concentrates on resting, eating well, and keeping calm. 

 I apologize for the rambling. The only person I can talk to about this is my husband and I am trying not to dump and he's a man who has never had to experience this before; he just doesn't quite understand. He's been helpful in working out a plan for the next few weeks and different outcomes.