Mom has skin mets and many side effects from chemo

wickees

Hello all you brave ones out there -- I'm not even quite sure what to ask, just maybe seeking some companionship on the journey my mom is going through.

 She was first dx in early 90's with lump in one breast and had single mastectomy. Since then there have been many recurrences and a few years ago, it metastasized to her skin. We are lucky it hasn't spread further and count our blessings every day. 

She lives far away from me and my family and I am her only child. The issue of either of us moving is not an option right now. She has been holding up well, but lately has had lots of setbacks, and sometimes we are not sure if the side effects are from the chemo (many different ones in past few months) or the cancer. She has neuropathy in her feet and can't walk. Has a few foot ulcers that won't heal due to lifetime poor blood circulation. Cannot use her left arm b/c of lymphedema, and just yesterday discovered a few boils on her skin.

My heart goes out to her b/c it is always something else going wrong. Is this common for late-stage breast cancer or can these things get better? She is finally on some pain meds for the neuropathy and will soon start a cuff for the lymphedema. She is 79 but very alert and active before all this happened. She loved to come visit us and see her 3 young grandchildren. I am somewhat sheepishly admitting that I don't even know what stage she has been diagnosed with and am afraid to ask. I guess it doesn't matter to me, though I don't really fully understand the stages. From what I've read, it seems the prognosis even for Stage IV can vary greatly. Is this true?

 Is anyone else experiencing a similar combination of symptoms? 

CoolBreeze

You don't know what stage she has been diagnosed with? Yet, you are posting this on the Stage IV section?  

The prognosis for Stage IV is death, always. 

You might be best suited posting in the Caregiver's section.  http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/16

Here is a place to share your struggles on supporting and caring for a person you love, whether just diagnosed, or in end stage. It is never easy, but you are not alone. 

Alternatively, there is a thread at the top of this forum where you can ask questions of Stage IV women.  The rest of this forum is here so we can support each other as we die. 

Good luck to your mother.