Mom recently diagnosed 75 yo - Liver Mets

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faroutstar
faroutstar Member Posts: 12
edited June 2021 in Caring for Someone with Breast cancer

All,

My mom was originally Stage III B and had been "cancer free" for over 14 years. I know it was HER2 + - and in 9 of her lymph nodes. Not sure about the size or anything else - I just do not recall it had been so long.

We found out last week on a trip to the ER for pain on the LEFT side and vomiting that she had "innumerable" lesions on her liver. As well enlarged (up to 1.9 cm) nearby...such as the peripancreatic and gastrohepatic and one more I believe I cannot recall and did not take note on.

Her CA 27.29 was 4,283.2 - and her CEA was 35.6. Mind you I have no idea what I am talking about while I put these things here. She has a biopsy on this coming Tuesday. And a treatment plan will go from there. I am not sure how none of this was found in MARCH at her Oncology appt that she goes to yearly. She is also still on Armidex. So while I know it is not good I just am curious what we are really looking at. I understand her doctor is telling us one thing - but I wanted advice from women living with Liver Mets. (Sorry if my terms are off. I have just been reading.)

At her age she has been fairly healthy. However in August of 2020 - she had a heart attack and found out her left renal artery was clogged but they decided to not stent it.

I had noticed a few months back how tired she was - but the doctors just felt it was from the heart attack. But each day was worse for her. Or nauseous way often - not eating as much. She is not a large woman but has lost weight rather quickly as well. She would literally stay in bed all day if she could and just sleep. And it is hard sleep too. Mind you - she has always been more energetic than myself or my kids are. She also complained of back pain on her right side - but threw that off to laying in bed so much on the weekends and nights she did not mention it to her doctor.

Her friend, who is a doctor, told her to really think about chemo and whether she wanted to be treated with it. To consider her quality of life with it. So that seemed a bit like there was no point. I feel like with the news she has kinda given in to this as there is no chance. I feel like her energy went down even more since finding out and it is heartbreaking to watch. I mean she has had to sit down to get dressed. But she is very independent and does not want to lose that and gets mad if I ask her if she needs help. She still drives and even works some. Granted since finding out everything she has taken some time for herself but is back there. Her job has been her second home and they are her other family. Her even thinking of having to give that up has been crushing to her as well.

I should never google because I saw articles say weeks, months to 2 years in regards to prognosis. And some women were living 10 years with liver mets. I just want facts from someone who has known someone or who is living with this to be real on their experience etc. I just need to really prepare myself for how to help her, how to stay strong and what exactly we are facing in regards to time. Her oncologist only said 6-9 months without treatment. And up to a 15-24 months with it.

Does anyone know others her age with Liver Mets - and how they are doing? How the chemo has helped them. I do know everyone is different.

Thanks in advance and sorry for any info I do not make sense on.

And know that you all who have fought or are currently fighting and here posting to help others is completely inspiring. Thank you for doing so.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited June 2021

    Hi faroutstar,

    We're so sorry to hear about your mom. We're sure you're worried and we know it's hard to stay positive. However, we have many members here who have been diagnosed with liver mets and are living fulfilling lives with treatment. You may want to introduce yourself and share your mom's situation on the How are people with liver mets doing? thread, where the members will surely offer you some encouragement.

    We hope this helps and that you get some great support soon!

    --The Mods

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  • ShetlandPony
    ShetlandPony Member Posts: 4,924
    edited June 2021

    Hi, faroutstar. I have to say I think your mom's doctor friend is overstepping. Unless he/she is a medical oncologist for breast cancer patients, he/she probably does not know about all the options available to your mom, or how do-able chemo can be. Wait and hear what the medical oncologist has to say. The right treatment could get your mom more years, with good quality of life. Getting the liver biopsy is the correct next step because it will guide treatment recommendations. If the cancer is still ER+ Your mom may be given the anti-estrogen faslodex. It is injections, but other than that has fewer side effects than aromatase inhibitors (such as arimidex) for most women. My onc told me this and I have found it to be true. If the cancer it is still Her2 positive, she will probably be offered a Her2 drug. They will have to pick one least likely to cause heart problems, and monitor the heart as is standard of care. These Her2 drugs often give people years of success. There is a pill chemo available and several IV chemos that are not the triple-whammy your mom may have received in the past. The medical oncologist will take into account your mother's age and heart health and tailor a treatment for her. Maybe only some and not all types of treatment will be recommended. It will be your mom's choice. Just hear what the options are before deciding. But I do not like that the oncologist gave her a definite expiration date. It would be better for the onc to describe best and worst case estimates and point out that everyone is an individual, and so much depends on how they respond to treatment. The oncologist should not take away hope. Can you get a second opinion? With someone who might be more encouraging?

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  • edwards750
    edwards750 Member Posts: 3,761
    edited June 2021

    I agree with Shetland Pony doctors should not give their patients expiration dates. It’s only a guess by them regardless of their medical expertise. It may or may not happen in that time frame but what it does to the emotional state of the patient is going to have an negative effect on treatment. It would be easy to just give up and mark the days off your calendar given such a grim prognosis. Not every case is the same and many a woman has defied the odds. So don’t give up and keep the faith.

    Diane

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  • faroutstar
    faroutstar Member Posts: 12
    edited June 2021

    Thanks all. So it was her primary care doctor NOT the oncologist that told her to really think about chemo. But I was pretty upset as she did immediately seem to give up some hope. I have researched here and showed her all the positive posts here about Liver Mets and surviving. Sure she is 75 - but when I say she is spunky and tough - I really mean it. She by far has more energy than I do!! So we are staying positive and strong. I do know each case is different and this amazing community has shown that.

    I really appreciate the responses. She had a liver biopsy yesterday and we hope to hear from that soon. She does not see the Oncologist until July 6th, so next Tuesday. When I tell you that time has seemed to stop - I am not kidding.

    I did find out he original was ER+ and PR+ T1c N2 M0 was her original BC in 2008 - so I was wrong at 15 years. It has been 13. Still quite some time. I am hoping that it remains the same but I read here that it can return as triple negative or HER2-. I still do not understand all of that and plan to look into it more.

    I will update when we learn more for sure. So thanks for taking time to reach out.

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