Mother's Breast Cancer

GraceAster

I am 23 years old male currently studying in one of the local universities in my country (doing a degree in medicine, though I am not that "knowledgeable"). I have a mother (52 years old) who's been diagnosed with breast cancer 9 years ago (close to 10 to be exact). The first time she was diagnosed 9 years ago, her diagnosis was stage 2 breast cancer (unsure about the type) and later she underwent complete mastectomy of her left breast. Her doctor further suggested for adjunct chemotherapy and lymphadenectomy to "complete" the treatment. However, sadly she refused because she was afraid of the side effects. If I could turn back time, I would probably convince her to undergo the treatment.

Right now, the cancer came back. Completely unaware of its presence, my mother was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer (hormone positive) with metastases to the lungs and bone (her spine). I am unsure about her "metastases", I mean whether the cancer has spread to her lungs "cellularly" or whether it only causes an obstruction to her lymphatic system as to produce those lung symptoms (pleural effusion secondary to obstruction of axillary lymphatic drainage). This is only my impression because she said the doctor told her that there's fluid within her lungs. She would feel breathless and cough a lot. Becoming fatigue easily once she walks in only mild distance. Can't sleep due to breathlessness. Troubled by her problems, she cried often and was depressed about it.

Being her son, I feel completely useless because I couldn't help her a bit. Currently, she's taking Tamoxifen to treat her cancer (again she refused chemotherapy because of the side effects). Having no clue whatsoever about breast cancer either from medicine's perspective or as a layman, I would like to ask help from those in this forum to at least lend me some help by offering any suggestions (any interventions like dietary intervention that could improve my mother's survival or anything at least, something that I could help). Any experiences from the members that are deemed useful for me to ponder. God bless.