Confused and Angry

leeolson
leeolson Member Posts: 1
edited June 2014 in Caring for Someone with Breast cancer

Hello Everyone, I am writing this post and have registered on here in hopes that someone can help me to better understand what is going on and why things are the way that they are. In March of this year my mother-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer. She has since had many roller coaster rides - last weeks being the worst. Firstly there were the trips to various appointments and tests. We were told of spots on the liver and the uterus in addition to the tumor in the breast. They then cleared the liver and told us they were not concerned at that point about the uterus. She then had the entire breast removed and it was found in twelve of the fourteen lympth nodes. She then waited to begin chemo. Last week she went to see the gynacologist and we find out this week about that. She was also supposed to start her chemo on Friday. However, after spending all day at the course for chemo, etc. the doctor came in and told her that he was sorry but that there were large cancer spots along her spine and in her bones. The chances of it being in her uterus are also very high, although we are not giving up hope until we know for sure. Rather than Chemo as he said it will not work at this point, he has started her on Tetrozole to hopefully stop the estrogen that is currently feeding the cancer cells. He explained that it may work for months and possibly a few years but eventually the cancer will find something else to feed on. Is there anyone else that has gone through or is going through this? We just dont know what to think. Does this mean that there is no hope for us? I have to also wonder about the liver now - are the spots really nothing or will the answer be different on the next visit. I sincerely apologize for being angry but I just feel so helpless and frustrated with it all. I would love to hear from any of you that may have some advice for us - we truly all feel so helpless at this point. As for her she is 59 and is the strongest person I know. The bonus to it all is that she is currently in no pain whatsoever. Please help!!!!!!

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Comments

  • Hattie
    Hattie Member Posts: 414
    edited June 2006
    I'm sorry about all of this. Cancer that has spread is hard to erradicate and the goal is to control it and live with it, like a chronic disease. Sometimes the tumors actually disappear, but often just keeping them at bay is good. This is not hopeless. There are many women living long and well with similar situations. Your mother in law can and should get a second opinion on her treatment plan. It helps for her to get copies of all her reports--she is entitled to them by law. There are new treatments in the works. Hang on.
    Take care,
    --Hattie
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  • jgrjunque
    jgrjunque Member Posts: 47
    edited June 2006
    Let me suggest that you pop in to the Recurrence and Metastatic Disease section of this board. Those folks are THE experts at this sort of thing, and will tell you that many people live long and well despite what are called "mets" (metastases).

    Good luck to you, and glad that your mother-in-law got lucky with her son's wife...
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