95-99% chance it is cancer

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laurabeth1977
laurabeth1977 Member Posts: 2
edited June 2014 in Caring for Someone with Breast cancer

Last week two tumors were found in the cerebellum of  my mothers brain.  After removal the pathologist  said this was consistent with metastatic breast cancer,but we do not have the results back yet.  A CT scan (just learning medical verbage) showed aggravated lymph nodes under the the arm pit, but a mammogram could not locate any tumors in the breast.  We are all very confused and scared.  Has anyone experienced this or know if this is common?  To make matters almost unbearable my mother terminated her insurance in January because she couldn't afford it.  I am trying to be strong for her, but having a hard time coming to terms with our new life with cancer.  Any words of advice, wisdom or experience would be of great help.

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  • petelzmom
    petelzmom Member Posts: 170
    edited May 2009

    I'm sorry I don't have a lot of knowledge in this area. Am I to understand that your Mom has not been diagnosed with breast cancer at this time?

    Sometimes tumors do not show up on mammograms. An MRI can better scan for smaller tumors or areas that are abnormal.

    You can try some of the different boards here, Just Diagnosed is the first that comes to mind.

    If you scroll through some of the posts you may get more info.

    Also if your Mom has an oncologist they should be able to give you more info.

    Good Luck and take care!

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  • 61linda
    61linda Member Posts: 64
    edited June 2009

    Wait, I thought it was the 15th today!



    BC that starts in the milk glands (vs the ducts) does not form distinct walls around the tumor so it infiltrates out into the breast tissue. It very often is not visualized on mammogram and sometimes can be missed with MRI and ultrasound although these are your best bet for finding whatever is there. That also means you can't feel a lump although sometimes a thickening can be felt.



    So sorry this is happening to your family. Maybe a family member can speak with a social worker at your hospital to see if there is a program available to help pay for your Mom's care.



    Keep reading these boards - there is some great information and tips about every part of this awful experience, including record keeping using a three ring binder and keeping EVERYTHING, making notes of conversations, the research you do and the questions you have along with the answers. It is normal to feel over whelmed, to forget what you were just told and generally feel upset and emotional all the time. It takes a little time but you do get a handle on it.



    This site really helped me a lot when I was first dx'd and still does. There is a lot of deal with but you can only do one thing at a time. My best advise to you is to keep talking to your family, give and accept lots of hugs and be willing to cry when you feel lie it. Best of luck.

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  • 61linda
    61linda Member Posts: 64
    edited July 2009

    Wait, I thought it was the 15th today!



    BC that starts in the milk glands (vs the ducts) does not form distinct walls around the tumor so it infiltrates out into the breast tissue. It very often is not visualized on mammogram and sometimes can be missed with MRI and ultrasound although these are your best bet for finding whatever is there. That also means you can't feel a lump although sometimes a thickening can be felt.



    So sorry this is happening to your family. Maybe a family member can speak with a social worker at your hospital to see if there is a program available to help pay for your Mom's care.



    Keep reading these boards - there is some great information and tips about every part of this awful experience, including record keeping using a three ring binder and keeping EVERYTHING, making notes of conversations, the research you do and the questions you have along with the answers. It is normal to feel over whelmed, to forget what you were just told and generally feel upset and emotional all the time. It takes a little time but you do get a handle on it.



    This site really helped me a lot when I was first dx'd and still does. There is a lot of deal with but you can only do one thing at a time. My best advise to you is to keep talking to your family, give and accept lots of hugs and be willing to cry when you feel lie it. Best of luck.

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