My mother has just been diagnosed

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HI, i am new to the board and don't really know what to think at the mo.  My mother had the results of her biopsy today and they have come back showing that she has a small malignant tumour in her right breast.  The lump cannot be felt in the breast which is why she has to have a test to find out where it is.  Something to do with injecting dye into the breast?  She will then have the lump removed the following day.  She has been told that it is not an aggresive type of tumour but is the 'middle' kind (her words) and they should be able to remove the lump and blast it with radiotherapy.  She was also told that she shouldn't need to go down the Chemo route, but who knows until the operate?  I didn't want to bombard her with questions, after all she's somewhat shellshocked at the mo, so i'm feeling pretty clueless at the moment as to what all of this entails.  All i know is that i'll be there for her, as i always have been, to help shoulder the burden.  I don't expect any answers from anyone here, just felt like i needed to off load.  But if anyone has any good sources of information, that would be great.  xxx

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  • TBird1964
    TBird1964 Member Posts: 58
    edited December 2008

    Hi there

     My mom was diagnosed three years ago. Like your mom, it was caught early. My mom couldn't feel her lump either. It was caught on her annual mammo. When the biopsy confirmed cancer, my sister and I then went to all her doc appts., knowing how overwhelmed we ALL were. The more ears the better if you ask me. It is way to much information for someone to take in by themselves when they are dealing with a cancer diagnosis. Talk of surgery, chemo and radiation. Ugh! Your mom will appreciate you being there for her. I even went to my moms first chemo (she didn't have to have chemo but she did to lower her chance of recurrence). My moms cancer although capsulated with clean margins and no lymph nodes, is aggressive. So she made it through the surgery (lumpectomy), 6 chemo treatments and 6 weeks of radiation. She did it and today she remains cancer free! :)

    As far as you feeling clueless, you and your mom will be taking in all kinds of information in the weeks to come, but you'll get through it. The ladies here are wonderful and full of information that can guide you along the way. I wish you and your mom the best through your venture. It will all work out and she'll be just fine.

    Teresa

  • Jadai
    Jadai Member Posts: 182
    edited December 2008

    Hi,

    Sorry you have to join us here.  My mom was diagosed in September with a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer called Inflammatory Breast Cancer.  It has spread to her bones so she is considered stage IV.  It is so overwhelming at first but I promise you will get the hang of it.  I have met some great people here and the best advice I have gotten and can give is to be informed and write everything down.  You will be hit with terms, numerous appointments, drug names, etc.  and it can be a bit much.  Write it down, do your research and stay on top of everything.  Know which drugs she is supposed to be getting and make sure she is getting them.  You will be ok and so will your mom!!!!!

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