advice for family member please

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Augustmoon18
Augustmoon18 Member Posts: 3
edited June 2014 in Caring for Someone with Breast cancer

HI,

Wonder if anyone can give me advice? A young family member has just had a mastectomy, all lymph nodes taken away and also part of the sternum. Can anyone tell me if this means it has gone into her bone? What is the prognosis? She had lots of chemo before surgery and is due to have radiotherapy sometime soon. She in also on Herceptin. We are all trying to support as best we can but I am a bit frightened to ask this question directly.

Many thanks

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  • ElaineD
    ElaineD Member Posts: 2,265
    edited August 2010

    Removal of the sternum would suggest that it has already spread to her bones. Should this be the case, she will need to be on treatment for the rest of her life. A prognosis for this is hard, as no two patients are alike-some will respond well to treatment, others won't. I would think very long and hard before asking the docs this question-at best they could give an answer totalling several years-and once the question has been asked, it is very difficult to ignore the answer. Of course, some people live much longer-others do less well. Good luck to you all.

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  • Augustmoon18
    Augustmoon18 Member Posts: 3
    edited August 2010

    Hi Elaine,

    Many thanks for your reply.

    I was thinking the same, although it is only part of the sternum that has had to be removed not all of it. I will not be asking doctors or anything like that this was just for my own benefit to get some idea as to what I was dealing with regarding supporting her. She is extremely positive and I would like it to stay that way for as long as possible. I'm just feeling a bit worried about all the implications of this for her and the family. I can't understand all the stages and grades and no idea what level she is at.

    Many thanks for your honest and knowledgable response. I hope you are well.

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  • Beanius
    Beanius Member Posts: 1,697
    edited August 2010

    Dear Augustmoon - That is so kind of you to be concerned for your young family member. It's good to hear she is extremely positive. I don't have answers for you as I just dont' know what this means medically. I will share that the people who have helped me the most are the ones that have just been there for me when I need them. I've had caring people send cards and e-mails. It is most helpful for me to be able to reach out when I'm feeling scared and have someone just listen and be reassuring. For myself it hasn't been so helpful when people try to tell me a lot of things I should be doing, eating, reading, etc. I know they mean well, but that isn't helpful. One of my best friends just sits and talks with me sometimes, and I feel from her that there is no judgement or worry. This is just a part of life. I like that the best, to just go on with life and whatever happens, happens. I wish you and her all the very best!! ~Beans

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  • Augustmoon18
    Augustmoon18 Member Posts: 3
    edited August 2010

    HI Beans,

    Many thanks for you response. I guess I am just so worried about her and not very sure what to do for the best with regards to support. We do talk to her on the webcam ( she lives in a different country although not a million miles away), and she is very cheery and matter of fact about it all . She is always happy to tell us what the docs say etc so that is a good sign I think.

    Many thanks to you and I do hope you are well. Not sure what all this stage and grades mean but I guess we will find out sometime.

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