Mom 75 has bc...lumpectomy 6/29

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birdee
birdee Member Posts: 7
edited June 2014 in Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
This is probably gonna be long...just a warning if you don't want to read I don't blame you! I'm frazzed...
My Mom was diagnosed with bc idic and had a lumpectomy with sentinel node biopsy last week. They said the nodes didn't show any cancer...yet. She is 75 years old. She seems to be recuperating well but is having some bruising and pain. Her attitude is great. She is praying hard and living her life as usual. She says she is so positive about everything but I know she is really scared. She is trying to be so up for all of us...and we in turn for her. Every now and then she'll say that if the doc had said there was cancer in her nodes she would have just died. That scares me because it's like she believes because they were initially clear that will be that. I want her to be able to handle the news if we find out there is more. We have an appt with the surgeon on Friday to get her reports. First, the doc said we would know everything at that appt and then of course day of surgery said well maybe two weeks. I feel like we are being spoon fed info. I'm trying to learn all I can so I can make sure she is going to get the right treatment. The doc gave literature to us about radiation and hormone therapy but never mentioned the rad in conversation. This makes my mom think she won't have it. I think the doc is just not saying anything till she has to. I guess I'm worried that my Mom will be so deflated if she finds she needs further treatment. Her sister who is now 70 has battled bc since she was 34 years old. 7 recurrences and has had so many rads, chemo, surgery...but she is still here.
The doc my mom has is so nice and seems to be making so light of everything...calling it a "wimpy" cancer, this lumpectomy will cure you (then says probably which mom doesn't hear)...but then tells me we really don't know anything till the path reports come back...sheesh
Sorry for rambling...I think I'm just overwhelmed and stressed. 4 weeks ago my daughter gave birth to my grandson in a most dramatic fashion. Her uterus ruptured. We almost lost both of them. Thank God they are both doing very well now...but between them and this stuff with my Mom it's been a lot...
The forums that are here look wonderful. I'm going to read a lot. I don't think I will have much to contribute...not until we are further down the journey...
Birdee
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  • csp
    csp Member Posts: 2,765
    edited July 2006
    Hugs Birdie and hugs to Mom ,
    None of us have too much to contribute when we first get here , it is okay, take a deep breath, you have found a very good place to get information, hugs and support.

    Your Moms doctor is telling you the right thing by saying
    "we won't know everything untill the path report"

    Her treatment plan will hinge on the report and no node involvement is a good sign!! woo-hoo to that!!

    Have mom ask for a copy of her report so you can decifer it for her
    take pen and paper, or a small tape recorder to her appt. with you , he will be giving you her er/pr status grade and her2nu status.
    All these things will become second nature to you at
    first it is very confusing, we will help you understand as much as we can
    what it all says .

    Once Mom has a treatment plan you all will feel so much better.

    hugs,
    Carrie
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  • cinderellafifi
    cinderellafifi Member Posts: 8
    edited July 2006
    Hi, Birdee - I am so sorry your mom and you are going through this. My mom is 69 and first found her lump in February. She is Stage IV and has two new lumps over her mastectomy scar! I am scared and overwhelmed with sadness. She has been such a trooper.

    I totally agree that there is no need to panic until you have the hard facts before you! Until then, try to stay positive and live each day vibrantly! Your aunt is a testiment that each BC survivor is different and as her sister, your mom has good genetics on her side!

    Stay strong and know that there are others of us on this tough journey with you!

    Hugs,
    "Fifi"
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  • birdee
    birdee Member Posts: 7
    edited July 2006
    Gosh, I have had such trouble posting...I hope this reply works!

    Thanks for your wonderful responses...
    Telling me I can come here with my Mom's results has comforted me more than you could know...you have helped me to feel so not alone.
    Fifi,
    Thanks for sharing about your Mom. My Aunt has had all of her recurrences right on her mastectomy scar as well. Always the same place...what a coincidence.
    Again, thank you...I'll let you know Mom's results and greatly appreciate your willingness to help me understand them. I need all the help I can get!
    Birdee
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  • cowgirl
    cowgirl Member Posts: 777
    edited July 2006

    Birdee come here anytime, it is a great place to vent and celebrate!

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  • csp
    csp Member Posts: 2,765
    edited July 2006
    Birdee,
    sometimes when you are trying to post it times out on you .
    When I am trying to post does it to me all the time because
    I type too slow and talk too much lololol!

    Try copy and paste before you submitt so you don't lose
    your post.
    Looking forward to getting to know you and Mom better

    HUG,
    Carrie
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