My mom (yet another diagnosis)

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Nanorama
Nanorama Member Posts: 50
edited December 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Hello dear community who were so helpful when I had breast cancer in '10,

My mom, age 89, just got the path report back on her THIRD breast cancer in five years (#1 rt side lumpectomy 3/09 ER/PR+HER2-, did radiation, discontinued anastrozole as it made her nauseous; #2 ER/PR+HER2+, damn near broke thru skin, rt side mastectomy 10/11, Herceptin discontinued due to congestive heart failure; #3 11/14, left side lumpectomy, ER/PR+HER2-).

It's huge - 8 cm.

It's a rapid multiplier - grade 3.

6 of 8 nodes positive - no surprise given the tumor's location right in the armpit.

No clean margin - they're talking about going back in to reoperate, though it's not clear as the surgeon's in Patagonia.

Lymphovascular invasion present.

No dermal invasion.

ER+ over 90%. HER2neu negative.

They didn't do a mastectomy as they didn't want to risk general anesthesia due to age and comorbidities (heart, hbp). In any case it appears the cancer "cat" is out of the bag, though CT and bone scans taken just prior to surgery showed no distant mets *yet*.

They're recommending Fulvestrant injections plus radiation, clearly not thinking they'll cure anything, just trying to slow it down so she can pass away from something else that would hopefully be easier.

My mom prefers quality of life over quantity. She's made her arrangements (donating her remains to medical school, as my dad did).

Has anyone had a parent of this advanced age undergo radiation and Fulvestrant? How did they fare?

Just looking for some feedback on optimal course of treatment for someone turning 90 in May. She still lives independently in a rented apartment in a regular building. But there's little family around - I'm 450 miles away with a family of my own to take care of; my sister, who lived nearby, passed away of metastatic neuroendocrine cancer last year. There's a granddaughter about but she's not real reliable, and a son-in-law who is mildly attentive but not more. So I'm trying to figure this all out. My mom would literally rather die than wind up in a nursing home.

Thanks all

Nan

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  • Lily55
    Lily55 Member Posts: 3,534
    edited November 2014

    Difficult for you but I think all you can do is respect your

    Mum's wishes..........and maybe look at proven natural tumour inhibitors like Curcumin

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  • Jelson
    Jelson Member Posts: 1,535
    edited December 2014

    I am so very sorry for the loss of your sister. You have been through a lot in the last 5 years. I can't speak to the specific therapies being recommended, but I have to address the logistics of both of your futures!!! Would your mom consider moving into an apartment near you or even with you, if that is a viable option. I know DC is expensive, but regardless of how independent she is right now, she is going to be needing assistance getting to appts. and in the future even more assistance. It sounds like now that your sister is gone, you are her primary responsible relative and if she stays where she is, you will be traveling there frequently. My mom moved near me when she got older and was able to live independently for a long time. It was the greatest gift she could have given me which I really appreciated when her health began to fail. Your mom sounds like a practical and generous person. Relocating to an assisted living or even independent apartment in another city (for your sake!!) might be a delightful alternative compared to the nursing home she fears.

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