Stage 4, Brain Mets, Double Mastectomy.

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goldengirl12
goldengirl12 Member Posts: 51
edited June 2014 in Caring for Someone with Breast cancer

Hi, I am not sure where to post this question. I know there is a special Stage 4 thread and as special thread for Brain Mets, but out of respect, I think it is just for people with Stage 4 and Brain Mets. I am the sister of a 33 year old with Stage IV breast cancer, diagnosed 2 years ago, mets to bones, was the initial diagnoses. In March the mets spread to brain and reocurred in her breast. She under went 10 days of WBRT. She continued working through WBRT at a stand up very active job. And last Friday she had a double mastectomy and reconstruction. She has been exhausted with no appetite since. We are just past 2 months of WBRT. And from what I have gathered, most people only live 3-6 months after WBRT. So my basic question is this. Is she so out of it because the WBRT is finally cathing up with her? Is in becuase of the doulbe mastectomy? Or is she starting to die. From what I read the dying process is 1-3 months. Before going in to the surgery, she believed she would recover quickly, enjoy her summer and we had trips planned... Also believed she would live a long and healthy life. There has never been any talk or mention of hospice or end of life care. I don't know what to do to be there for her. 

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  • floogendad
    floogendad Member Posts: 41
    edited June 2012

    I would initially venture that the bilateral has alot to do with it.  When my wife had hers in 2009 I dont think she moved from our couch more than twice a day and spent a good majority of the first couple weeks sleeping as her body adjusted to the new normal.  She had Gamma Knife in April and her fatigue was up and down for a couple weeks and also remember that any anti-cancer drugs that are being taken could be causing extreme fatigue.  The statistics are just that statistics.  I try to plan goals for my wife to focus on to get to.  A trip here a birthday there goals help (at least in my mind) them will themselves to get to that milestone.  Just remind her that you are there and she is never alone as she can do more let her as it will be good for her ( I have a hard time with that one myself).

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