Just found out my Grandmother has breast cancer today

Options
juelz1981
juelz1981 Member Posts: 1
edited June 2014 in High Risk for Breast Cancer

I just found out my Moms Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, tomorrow she will find out more in depth of where she's at. I have been trying to wrap my head around the whole situation I don't even know how I found this site I have been just in shock and don't know what to do, say or think, I guess I am just trying to let it out because I don't want to fold and break down because my Mom is taking it hard and I want to be strong for her, we recently moved from California to Texas about 7 months ago but due to the news my Mom would like to go back and I am behind her 100% I want to be there for her and my grandmother one because my mom is my best friend and I would want nothing more than to support any decision she makes, I moved her out here with me to try something new but I am ok with going back to California, second I am the first granddaughter of 25 grand and great grandchildren and feel like I should be a support for both of them, I'm probably rambling but It feels good to talk because I cant tell anyone in the family yet until we get the results tomorrow, I also have some concerns because cancer runs in both sides of my family and my paternal grandmother died of breast cancer in her 60s, I am scared, I just needed to get this out....

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • leaf
    leaf Member Posts: 8,188
    edited December 2013

    Its natural to be scared when you find out that someone you love so dearly has a potentially life-threatening disease.  

    About 1 out of 8 women in the USA get breast cancer over their lifetime.  The average age to get breast cancer is in one's mid 60s.  Unless perhaps you are of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, or have other cases of breast cancer or ovarian cancer in people more related to you that you haven't talked about,  having two grandmothers get breast cancer when they are over 50 years old is not a significant family history (unless perhaps your paternal grandmother got breast cancer before the age of 50.)   About 70% of women who get breast cancer have no obvious risk factors (besides being a woman.)

    I don't know how old your grandmother is, but if she has great grandchildren, I would guess she's probably at least in her 60s.  In general, breast cancer in older women is *less* aggressive (not a typo).  In this paper of women in Italy, the mortality of breast cancer ranged from about 15% to about 25% in this older population. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24268048 So, even in this older population, most of the women who got breast cancer ended up dying of some cause _other than_ breast cancer.

    Hang in there. Most people feel a lot more in control once they have a treatment plan in place, and many people just want people to listen carefully to how they feel about the situation.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • corky60
    corky60 Member Posts: 726
    edited December 2013

    You came to the right place.  There are many wise women on this site.  Take a deep breath and wait until the results are in before making any decisions.  You can research the type of breast cancer on this site and "talk" to others who share the same diagnosis as your grandmother.  I don't know if your grandmother is computer-literate but she could search this site as well.  Take a deep breath, ground yourself in the here and now and don't try to anticipate the future.  It's normal to be scared for someone else but don't borrow worry from tomorrow.  Your Mom and Grandma are very blessed to have such a caring daughter/granddaughter.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ziggypop
    ziggypop Member Posts: 1,071
    edited December 2013

    Hi juelz - It is always scary when somebody receives this diagnosis. One thing that you should know is that there are many different 'types' of breast cancer and they are treated differently. It may end up that your Grandma doesn't need you and your mom to move back - but it is very nice that you would be willing to do so if need be. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • clarkjennifer
    clarkjennifer Member Posts: 15
    edited December 2013

    Hello..

    It is quite obvious to be scared when came to know about this particular disease in family. Cancer brings the person near to death just in a second. In all types of cancer, breast cancer can be treated with surgery and than chemotherapies. Have faith in god, dont be scared. Your grandma is very lucky that she has very brave granddaughter, Take care of her after chemo sessions. She will surely perfectly fine after treatment. Stay Blessed!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • msphil
    msphil Member Posts: 1,536
    edited January 2014

    hang in there sweetie, and I will be praying for you and family and us all, I was diagnosed at 42 while planning my wedding,first one in my family, so just being a woman gives the chance to be diagnosed.Praise GOD this yr I will be,i m claiming another yr cancer free in Jesus Name, 20yr SURVIVOR). msphil( idc,stage 2, L mat, 0/3 nodes, chemo and rads, and 5yr on tamoxifen) 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • monicamontes000
    monicamontes000 Member Posts: 4
    edited January 2014

    I can relate on you as my sister is also suffering from breast cancer, But the lesson I've learned is that  I should be the one to think more positively. And you should also do that, you should give them the courage and hope to fight this illness, have faith in God and enjoy every moment. But your issue about cancer may run to your family, somehow you should anticipate that. When my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer, her treatment was done abroad and the doctor also requested us to submit on evaluation because it may really run to our family. I think you should also submit yourself for evaluation. I will be praying for your family!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories