600 lbs woman with IDC; ER-/ PR-/ Her2+/ 4 cm tumor.

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carmstr835
carmstr835 Member Posts: 388
edited August 2019 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

They believe most likely, the cancer has metastasized into at least 2 lymph nodes. I am very concerned about this woman, she is the mother in law of my niece. She is so large she is almost immobile. She was able get to the local Dr for her biopsy. They told her no radiation, she is too big for the table and that having chemo would be too difficult for her to come in. I am not sure about surgery but it sounds to me like they have already given up on her. Anyone know of anywhere she can go that can accommodate her size for treatment? She has insurance and her family will take her where ever she can get the best treatment.

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  • Meow13
    Meow13 Member Posts: 4,859
    edited August 2019

    Where does she live? Seems like she might check into a facility to lose weight and get necessary treatment.

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  • Teddy88
    Teddy88 Member Posts: 102
    edited August 2019

    I am so sorry! I have to believe that contacting Sloan Kettering and MD Anderson or Dana Farber would lead to information (at least) re: facilities offering answers v write-offs. Another thought: what about contacting highly reputable hospitals with specialties in obesity who might fight the good fight with her / be her ally in helping her lose weight with a direction towards cancer treatment? Or at least not judge her weight and help find doctors willing to try to find solutions in getting cancer treatment? They might be much less willing to write her off, and be less judgmental about her current weight. My friend recently was helped by an obesity specialist - Dr Marc Bessler in NYC - Head of Bariatrics @ Columbia Presbyterian. Your friend should never be denied care because no one was willing to try - heartbreaking and entirely incorrect. She must receive the best care possible.Please keep us posted. Love, Belle xx

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  • ShetlandPony
    ShetlandPony Member Posts: 4,924
    edited August 2019

    There may be treatments that are unsafe because of her obesity. But if her ability to travel to a medical facility is the only problem with getting a treatment such as chemo, I call it discrimination against a person with a disability. Let them send a nurse to her home to administer the chemo.

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  • HersheyKiss
    HersheyKiss Member Posts: 550
    edited August 2019
    I am concerned for the mother-in-law. The tumor information you've posted indicates an aggressive cancer. Did the local physician tell her, "no radiation?" Is it possible for your niece's family to get a second opinion? I agree with ShetlandPony. There are workarounds to these kinds of situations. A good friend of my family is an RN affiliated with a small community hospital. In-home infusions are what she has provided to home-bound patients for decades. That is what community-based health care is all about. Please let us know how things go for the mother-in-law. I will be thinking of her and your niece.
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  • Meow13
    Meow13 Member Posts: 4,859
    edited August 2019

    I keep thinking about this woman, I hope she gets the medical help she needs. I can't believe a breast surgeon and oncologist feel they can't help her, you would think they would get a obesity specialist to work along with them.

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  • carmstr835
    carmstr835 Member Posts: 388
    edited August 2019

    Meow, She lives in Michigan, north of Detroit.

    I did forget to mention her tumor grade, she is grade 3. The worst one. I think she finally got an appointment with the local oncologist for 2 weeks from now. I think she should go to a much larger facility. I will keep everyone informed as I learn more.

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  • juniper
    juniper Member Posts: 110
    edited August 2019

    I’m sorry for this woman. The biggest issue with surgery is that her weight makes her a poor surgical risk. I second the idea of finding a hospital with a bariatric and oncology unit that might be able to work together to help her

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  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited August 2019

    Even if she had bariatric surgery, it would take months to lose enough weight. A friend of mine just had it, and she had to lose a significant amount of weight BEFORE the bariatric surgery, I think to show good intent. It's not a spur-of-the-moment thing.

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