Mom w/Alzheimers-needle biopsy

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mom25
mom25 Member Posts: 3
edited June 2014 in Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
Hello, I am new to your forum. My mother is 80 years old, is in the last stage of Alzheimers. Her previous doctor to the one she has now has been watching a small dense mass in her right breast for approximately 10 years. Her new doctor of two years has been watching it as well. Her last two mamograms were done at a new facility. They have compared her last years mamo to this years mamo and wanted to do a ultrasound because they saw a change in this little mass. So we did the ultrasound. It took three techs to find the mass in order to complete the ultrasound. Now they are suggesting we do a needle biopsy and then if it is cancer they are suggesting to surgically remove the lump. I am so stressed out in trying to make the right decision. I know that Alzheimers people have a very difficult time with being put out to have surgery and they have a difficult time when taking pain meds. My mother is a very happy healthy Alzheimers patient, she lives in a beautiful facility and is well taken care of. Since she is in the last stage of Alzheimers I think putting her through a biopsy/if cancer-surgery, pain meds and being put out would totally destroy her!! We are so enjoying her happy go lucky personality even though she doesn't remember much of anything and doesn't remember many of her family members. She always loves us to visit and has one heck of a positive attitude all the time. I feel like turning the other cheek and not proceeding with any of this! Please, I need some outside opinions!! Thanks to anyone that would like to respond to my dilemma.
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  • azdarleen
    azdarleen Member Posts: 65
    edited February 2007
    Hi, I'm so sorry to hear about your mom, I do know how you are feeling, My mom had alzhomers and breat cancer , she was mid-way with the alzhemers when we found out about the breast cancer, I spoke with several Doc. and we weighted everything and we decided to leave the breast cancer alone, she was 79 when it all started and was also a happy person and enjoying her life in her own little world, I'm glad I decided to do that beacause her last few years she enjoyed, after myself going though breast cancer the past two years I am even happier that I didn't do anything about her breast cancer, I don't think she would have understood what was happen to her and it would have been too hard.
    My prays are with you
    Darleen
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  • mom25
    mom25 Member Posts: 3
    edited February 2007
    Thank you! Thank you! for your reply. It is music to my ears!! I am very sorry though for you to have to deal with breast cancer yourself. You WILL be in my prayers.

    I just can't think about walking in and seeing my Mom so happy, like you said, in her own little world and then having to explain to her she needs to go to the doctor and have this biopsy. The last time I took her for a mamo she said to me, "I don't know why you have to take me to the doctor, I'm not sick". She was very sweet about it but that simple little thing totally confused her. I can't imagine her having to go through procedures!! Thanks again! I've pretty much made up my mind...no biopsy....no surgery, end of story. :-)
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  • LuAnnH
    LuAnnH Member Posts: 8,847
    edited February 2007
    If it were my mom, I think I would leave the bc alone. Alzheimers is a terrible disease in itself and bc tx may interfere with her quality of life she has left. Just my opinion.

    LuAnn
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  • LuAnnH
    LuAnnH Member Posts: 8,847
    edited February 2007
    Also, if the lump has been there 10 years it seems if it is cancer it is not something extremely aggressive so bc tx may not extend her life span anyway.

    LuAnn
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  • roseg
    roseg Member Posts: 3,133
    edited February 2007
    My MIL doesn't have alzheimers, but she's had several strokes and is helpless. We had her to the GYN because she had some vaginal bleeding, which turned out to be a UTI, and turned down a mammogram. It was not because we don't love her, but because encounters with the medical establishment leave her weaker and less able.

    It's too stressful for everything. More doctors and hospitals do not make your life happier! I might consider a FNA and hormonals, but if she's happy now why even do that?

    I think they have to offer the treatment but you do not have to accept it.
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  • cowgirl
    cowgirl Member Posts: 777
    edited February 2007
    I think you have great advise here, I am grateful I am not in your shoes. It is a very hard decision, but I think you know in your heart what is best for her. My mom is 79 with dementia, life can be frustrating enough. Praying for you and your mom.

    I will support you no matter what you decide!
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  • mom25
    mom25 Member Posts: 3
    edited February 2007

    Thank you everyone who has replied to me. I have talked this over with my brother and we have both decided NOTHING will be done about this lump situation. I can't wait to see my mother 2/22/07 JUST for a visit. I'm a little worried she won't remember me as my brother went to see her today and she didn't remember him but finally at the end of their visit seemed to know who she was talking to and she asked about me. I can't get there soon enough!! I live in NC and she/my brother live in CA. Thanks again. It has helped so much and I'm not feeling stressed out anymore. :-)

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  • Catherine8718
    Catherine8718 Member Posts: 25
    edited February 2007

    I think you and your brother are doing the correct thing. My mother has alzheimers as well and I know if I were in your shoes we'd make the exact same decision. Same scenario as your Mom - easy going, wonderful facility where she lives and in general happy. My mom has had 2 surgeries in the past 2 years, both under general anesthesia and according to a clinician who we've worked with, every time she has general anesthesia, it accelerates the alzheimers a little bit. So, if your Mom's content, then no need to mess with that! Enjoy your visit with your Mom and remember, even though she may not "remember" you, your time spent with her is invaluable and deep down, she knows your there!

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  • Penn
    Penn Member Posts: 1
    edited March 2007
    Hi there.What a difficult decission to make.My mum has depression and the begining of dementia.She is 83 and at christmas time she had a mastectomy.The decision for the surgery was made by me and my sister and because the surgeon is my mum`s nephew she valued his opinion.It was a difficult one and I am still not sure that we did the right thing because every time I wash her hair or help her dress she sees herself in the mirror and cries.S he lives with me and my family and we try not to talk about it
    .She takes her medication but deep down she is very sad.What is worse?A mastectomy or the possibility of metastases?What will come first?Difficult questions, difficult decisions.But all made with love towards our mum.Good luck with your mum and keep in mind that anything you have decided is because you
    love her so much.Penny.
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