Dad with breast cancer

kievalina

I'm not sure where to post this, exactly.

My dad was just diagnosed with breast cancer and in the span of about a month has: received the diagnosis, had a mastectomy, found out it spread to about half the lymph nodes tested... and now is starting chemo.  

He is tough and he has my step mom.  All of us "kids" are in another state, though.  

I am awaiting the results of his genetic testing with trepidation.  I am worried about both of us.  (I just found out his sister had breast cancer, too.  I hadn't known.)  And I'm worried for my step mom, who has lost several family members in the last couple of years (parents; BIL; DIL, through divorce); this is a lot for her to deal with in a very short time.  I just lost my mom in 2011 (multiple sclerosis), watched my grandpa die in 2012 (Alzheimer's).  

My dad and were just reconnecting after many years being mostly estranged.  (I am a child of divorce.)  I am just getting to know him, trying to deal with the previous losses, etc., and was not "ready" for this to be thrown into the mix.  (Obviously, things are worse for him, no one is ever "ready" for cancer, etc.  I'm really not feeling sorry for myself, I'm just saying...  I guess...  that emotionally, this was already a time of loss for me...  and my step mom... and we're just not as strong right now, maybe, as we usually are.  I am glad that my dad doesn't hide stuff from me or sugar coat stuff, though.  Not knowing is usually way worse.)

Just throwing this out there.

Annette47

This isn't the most active forum because of male breast cancer being comparatively rare, and most forums are slow on weekends, but I didn't want you to think no one read this or cared.   I don't have any advice to offer, but I am sending good thoughts for you and your dad, and I hope some more experienced people will be along soon.

BayouBabe

So sorry you are dealing with this right now.  If you have concerns about genetic risks and info., please be sure to check out the FORCE website, www.facingourrisk.org for information.  Glad you have been able to reconnect with your father.

1NippledBandit

It is scary for everyone involved.  Best of luck.

cliff

That's why I had the dna test done along with all the other tests before my surgery for stage 4 breast cancer, I have two great kids of parenting age, and wanted to make sure for their sake. mine came up negative fortunately. now I have a beautiful little granddaughter, and I am glad I didn't pass this to her. unfortunatly, there are types of breast cancer that are not dna related. keep testing!

Traveltext

Cliff, what types of breast cancers are nor dna related?