New TNBC Stage IV

Jgthompson1006

I'm posting about my sister.  I just finished almost a year of treatment for TNBC Stage II.... also BRCA1+... found out that I was BRCA + a year or two before dx so was monitored closely.   My sister and her two daughters  moved in with us 19 months ago (to get away from her alcoholic/drug addicted husband).  So she lived with us through all of my treatments.   After me hounding her for months to at least get a PCP she finally called me from work two weeks ago and said that she had a huge visible mass in her breast and under her arm was also swollen and painful.  I called and emailed my healthcare team to help expedite things.

Fast forward to two weeks later.... She has been with Stage IV TNBC, also IBC...  Significant involvement of nodes under her arm...  as well as all of her chest nodes....  including those surrounding her heart.  PET scan also showed lesions in her lungs and on her spine.   More than likely has liver mets but we are waiting to for labs to confirm.   She has decided that she doesn't really want to know anymore than necessary...  would prefer to just be told where to be when and doesn't want bad news to bring her down further.  I'm a nurse and because of the many complications I had, I have a great relationship with our health care team.  She has signed paperwork for them to discuss everything with me.  She sat through some of the discussion with the doc yesterday, but walked out of the room when it was time to review scans.    I'm getting the impression that her prognosis is very poor, although follow up scans with help determine that.  She has two daughters that know she has breast cancer but that's it.. she doesnt want them to know the severity.  She is also going through a nasty divorce and custody battle.   She has made me promise that my husband and I will fight for custody of her two daughters... but this really needs to be addressed NOW...  and her oldest is 14 so the courts will want to know where she wants to live....  but can't bring her into it until she knows.   I'm exhausted, frustrated...  and angry.... Would appreciate any info....  good or bad from Stage IV girls with similar mets/IBC....  are there any out there/

marywh

hi, I saw your post has been floating around for awhile. Im sorry about both you and your sister. I hate your sister doesnt want more to do with her treatment plan, but maybe once the shock of it wears of she will. The one thing you might tell her is that tnbc treatment usually responds well to chemo, even when its metastisized to other places, Its a matter of finding one that works well with her.Im sure other ladies who see this will post too, there are alot of us out there. Good luck to you and your sister both.

ehop337

I am sorry to hear about your sister  .. I have TN/ IBC Stage IIIc and chemo and I have responded to chemo well .. My sister also is had breast cancer she has been cancer free for over a year now but recently had a lump but it was not cancer ... I will  pray for you and your sister as she goes through this hard time in her life .. I have been through divorce I can only imagine going through it during cancer