Holiday weekends and bad news stinks.

Options
Emilylaughed
Emilylaughed Member Posts: 50
edited June 2014 in Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned

My mom was diagnosed with with stage IIIC breast cancer in October, 2012. After chemo (8 rounds), a radical single mastectomy, and 28 days of radiation, followed by hormone therapy, things got suddenly quiet in late summer 2013. We've checking in every three months. Nothing new to worry about. Until now.

My mom found a lump dead center on her chest, between the good breast and where the old breast used to be. She promptly called the doctors, and we were at the surgeon's office a week later. She wasn't terribly concerned, but she said that she didn't care what we found, because of my mom's history, any lump or bump was going to be taken out.

We had a quick outpatient surgery to remove it. Yesterday, the breast surgeon called from her vacation to discuss the biopsy results. Her words were reassuring, but the message is haunting: "some cancer cells were found." She needs a larger sample, so she was calling to tell my mom that we needed to schedule time for a second procedure this coming week. It being Good Friday, absolutely no one was around. 

The surgeon is an amazing woman--my favorite of my mom's doctors--and she insisted that her prognosis had not changed, and that we just need more information and a plan. Still, it sucks to play the waiting game. Waiting to call for the next appointment. Then waiting to call the oncologist so that he can work up whatever the next plan is. Guessing that she shouldn't take her aspirin or multivitamin if she's having a second procedure. Wondering what 'some cancer cells' could mean, and wondering what lies ahead in the coming months. I'm alternating between feeling panicked and trying to remain strong and constant. Her incision from the first biopsy is starting to get a little puffy, and that's making both me and my mom anxious, even though it feels watery and just like healing. 

The waiting and wondering is the hardest part. Anyone have experience with this? Words of wisdom or comfort for what could be coming next? What I should be preparing myself for, or preparing my mom for? These next few weeks are not going to be easy.

Off to a vigil mass for now. Perhaps that's the best place for us now.

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Moonflwr912
    Moonflwr912 Member Posts: 6,856
    edited April 2014

    Hugs and prayers for you both. At least your Dr called before the weekend even if there was no definitive answer.  we all know waiting is the hardest. But you are on top if it and even if it is not good news, you can't do anything faster than you have. Try to take some comfort in that. Much love 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • pajim
    pajim Member Posts: 2,785
    edited April 2014

    Emily, there is no good advice for this one.  Waiting is no fun. 

    Can you take the attitude that "worry doesn't help tomorrow's problems but only takes away today's peace"?  If trouble comes, it comes.  No need to hurry it along.

    I suggest finding something to do.  Something to distract you all.  Even if it's just going to the movies or something like that.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Emilylaughed
    Emilylaughed Member Posts: 50
    edited April 2014

    Thanks for the kind words, Moonflwr & Pajim. We wavered between being ok and really not being ok all weekend, but for the most part, managed to celebrate the holiday and my mom's 59th birthday.

    As of this morning, she's scheduled in the OR for a exploratory biopsy procedure on Thursday. We have an appointment with the oncologist the week after that. Just having the two things in place makes it feel like there's a plan of attack. It doesn't feel good, but it also doesn't feel like this is the end of the road by any means. Things felt bleak a few times, but my mom remembered our promise at the onset--positive, forward-thinking and optimistic attitude throughout. EVERY day is a gift. It's cliche, but it's true. We have been so blessed with the past year and a half, and we're hopeful that we'll be blessed even more into the future.

    Love to all.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 3,761
    edited April 2014

    Emily - bless your heart! Vigil mass was the best place to be. Husband and I attended the vigil mass too. It's my husband fav mass; mine is Christmas. Both are beautiful services. Your mom has such a caring doctor. I don't know many who would call on their vacation. Cancer of any kind is scary but sounds like your mom is in good hands. How blessed she is to have you. We are praying for you and your Mom. Keep the faith and keep us posted. Diane 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Emilylaughed
    Emilylaughed Member Posts: 50
    edited April 2014

    Well. The second biopsy is done. My mom is home and resting. 

    I learned quite a bit more today. The first biopsy removed a mass that had some cancer in it. The area surrounding was still showing signs of cancer, which is why they wanted to go and take a larger sample. The first story did get a bit of 'telephone' effect, where I didn't quite get the whole story when my mom told me what the surgeon told her when she called, which is understandable.

    Unfortunately, (or, who knows, perhaps fortunately) when the surgeon went to take the larger sample, she wound up taking quite a bit more than she was expecting. But accident, or by fate, she found a second tumor, small, about 4" below the site that was affected to begin with. It in some fatty tissue beneath the breast. The surgeon wasn't exactly what that means in terms of her disease, but she said that whatever the course, we should definitely fight it—which is encouraging. 

    It's not the news we wanted, and now I'm certainly worked up, wondering what else could be lurking in her body, but I trust her doctors, and am very ready to move forward with any kind of plan. I'm very glad that this part is done with, and I feel like we've started with the lumpectomy and now we'll be moving forward to chemo or radiation, which really, is just backwards from the first round. (8 rounds chemo, surgery, radiation, hormones).

    At stage IIIC, I don't think anyone thought that we would really be talking about 'cures', but I sure do wish it had stayed at bay a little longer. 

    Thanks to all for your support. These boards are so amazing—and help me comfort my mother at a time when comfort can be hard to come by.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories