My 87 year old nan has stage 3

taralikestodance

Hi there, my little nan has just been diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. luckily it is hormone responsive so she is having medication. She doesn't want any surgery ( i doubt she would survive it) and says she's going to beat it, that it won't get the better of her. I love that she is so strong willed but I'm worried that she doesn't realise how serious this is. Or is it just me? I have never (luckily) dealt with anything like this before so am a bit unsure as to how severe her case actually is. I'm really close to her and speak very positively to her about it but i am worried about her. I'd really appreciate some feedback if anyone has a spare minute. Thank you. x 

Moderators

Hi Tara,

Your nan sounds like a pretty strong woman! We appreciate your concern for her and we're sure there'll be a lot more community members here who will weigh in on how to help her through.

In the meantime, there's some really great info on the main Breastcancer.org site, where you can find helpful info on Treatments for Hormone-Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer, Hormonal Therapy, (including what to expect and side effects), and an index of Treatment Side Effects with tips to manage them.

Hope you find this helpful. Best of luck to you and your nan -- come back and let us know how she's doing!

--The Mods 

Chevyboy

Hi Tara.... What does her "team" say?  I mean her Doc, surgeon, & has she even seen a Radiologist?  She will not do anything about it?

 Stage 3 is a toughy....I am 74...and had a Lumpectomy about 2 1/2 years ago, and Radiation with the MammoSite device...which only took about a week.  I chose not to do chemo.

But how old is she?  I thought I was old!    My surgeon said "nope, I just did another Lumpectomy on an 80 year old." 

You could research this forum, and also the internet, and talk to her about it, and maybe she would/could make a more informed decision....

Take good care....

Some women CHOOSE to not do anything, but in my opinion, that is really risky.   Because it depends on the final path report, if there are any nodes involved, or vascular involvement.

Most women on these threads have at least gone through surgery.... And SOME choose to do alternative care from then on...Some choose radiation and chemo.  It depends on her, and her team, and what she is willing to do. 

I just know, that by doing nothing, especially at stage 3, (if that's really what it is) that she might not realize how serious this could be, or is.

I wish you gals the best of luck...take good care.

camillegal

WOW U'r Nan seems like she knows what she wants and it sounds like her mind is made up---but I would follow thru with her for Drs suggestions. It difficult to ive an 87 yr old any advice on her wishes, but i could give u something that happened with my aunt (who I was very close to0 she ot colon cancer and they did operate and said it looked bad and she needed chemo + but she did have the start of dimentia at the time and refused everythin-she told the drs. forget it. So we did.And she died 8 yrs. later not from cancer-personally I think the demtia helped--no worries for her-so no stress. but who's to say.what's the best for u'r Nan so just be by her side.

Angelfalls

Although everyone's case is different, hormone therapy can be really powerful in terms of keeping the cancer in check, as many Stage IV women will tell you. So there is always room for hope that your lovely nan will pass of other causes and on her terms. She sounds fabulous, BTW! Cherish your time with her and remember that treatment decisions have to be right for her, even if that means they are not what you would choose for her or for yourself. Wishing you lots of good times together. Hugs to you both,

Angelfalls xx

Leah_S

Tara, I'm sorry you and your nan have to deal with this. Since it seems that her health wouldn't permit surgery, it's good she'll be having the hormonal therapy. It's not difficult to deal with for most people but it's powerful against hormone receptor positive cancer. Since it's "just" a pill and it's "not chemo", it's easy to think that she's not doing anything against the cancer but in fact she's doing a very good therapy.

Best of luck to both of you.

Leah