breast cancer

maria · New User Joined: 01 Feb 2005 Posts: 2

Hi everybody I need help just found out that my sister who is 56 years old owas diagnosed with breast cancer they did all kind of test and was told the result is possitive but good news is it is the beganing and it is in asack which has not spraed out yet and can be operated asap. I am devisted and very worried what happans after the operation and what can I do to help her I will be going to california on the 2nd of feb for her operation . Is there anything you can help me understand this please let me know. I dont know what to dol

imadare6 · Regular Joined: 13 Dec 2004 Posts: 20 Location: Indiana

Am guessing she has DCIS (ductal carcinoma, in situr - which means in the ducts and in place.) If has not gone beyond ducts they say it is non-invasive and easier to treat. I have this. I had lumpectomy (tiny calcifications taken out) and now doing a new radiation procedure which is only 5 days, start this tomorrow. Sister may have opted for mastectomy though, which she can do and some do just to avoid more procedures. If she is doing outpatient it is only lumpectomy.

If mastectomy others here will know more about than I
Good luck to you both.
_________________
DCIS 9/04
2 surgeries
MammoSite starting 2/2/05

penelopez · Senior User Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 165

Hi Maria,

I'm so sorry your sister has been dx with breast cancer, but it sounds like it is early stage. You didn't say whether it's invasive nor non-invasive. Of course, it's preferable to have non-invasive but early-stage invasive has an excellent prognosis.

What can you do to help her? Well, you're already helping her quite a bit just by going to be with her. You can accompany her on any appointments she may have before and after her surgery. Just being there for her (emotionally and/or physically) is a wonderful, caring thing and she's lucky to have a thoughtful sister. Smile

One of the best things you can do for her is to let her talk about her feelings as much as she needs to and be a good listener. Sometimes during treatment we repeat things (over and over) because we just have to verbally "get it all out" because it is such a powerful experience. I compare the powerful emotional impact to giving birth. After giving birth, you want to talk about the experience with others. The only difference is that giving birth is a happy experience whereas being diagnosed with breast cancer is, obviously, a sad and negative experience.

Another thing you can do (if she uses a computer) is give her the website link and she could log on when she feels up to it. It's really valuable to be able to share her feelings with others and receive support from women who have been there/done that. Plus, if she has any questions she can receive excellent information from others.

Please keep us posted. You and your sister are in my thoughts and prayers.

Hugs,

Margie

Minnlady13 · Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2005 1:20 pm Post subject: Re: breast cancer

Hi Maria, and welcome to the board. Sorry about your sister's diagnosis, but like other others have said, this sounds like it is really early, which is good. That's when cancer is most treatable and the prognosis for long-term survivial is best. I am sure your sister's surgery will go smoothly. Even with a mastectomy, an overnight stay is about all you get anymore if there are no complications. Regardless of whether she has lumpectomy or mast., she will get post-op care instructions and exercises to do to restore range of motion in her arm on the side where the surgery is done.
I know it feels like there is a lot of information to digest all at one time, and there really is. But, we will do our best to walk you through it all. Like Margie said, just being with your sister during this time is one of the best things you can do. She is going to need someone to listen to her and she reacts to this diagnosis. You are being a good friend to her by just listening. If you need additional information on Breast Cancer, there are some good links on this board, or you can try the American Cancer Society, the Susan G. Kohmen Foundation, Dr. Susan Love's or Imaginis.com Web sites. If you are unable to find these sites, let me know and I will get you clickable links. Hugs, Lauri
_________________
Diagnosed 4/11/1996
Lumpectomy, 6 mm tumor
Neg. nodes
ER/PR+
33 rads
Tamoxifen, 5 yrs.
NED

maria · New User Joined: 01 Feb 2005 Posts: 2

Hi it is me again need to know the diffrent between radiation and chemotherapy and sideffects and what to exepect after surgery please if someone can help me understand I would appreaciat it .........

lots of love and hugs
maria

AlaskaAngel · Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2005 12:05 am Post subject: Explanation of breast cancer

Maria

One of the fastest ways to understand would be to go to a website like Mayoclinic.com and search under breast cancer. They have some pretty good explanations of what it is all about to help you and your sister. If you get stuck come back here and someone here will try to explain. Also there is a note on the top part of this screen that says "NEW! Cancer Online - comprehensive cancer reference website" and you might try seeing if that is helpful.

Hugs,

AlaskaAngel
_________________
Dx Dec 2001 at age 50
Lumpectomy Jan 2002, 1.6 cm IDC plus some DCIS
Node neg
ER+, PR+, HER2+++
CAF x 6, 35 rads+boost
NED
Tamoxfen 1 3/4 yrs
In 2 clinical trials
bc for mom and 1 sis and 1 aunt and 1 granny
ovarian cancer for 1 aunt

penelopez · Senior User Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 165

Maria ~ Another excellent site is: www.imaginis.com It is a site that is very easy to understand, too.

Good luck,

Margie

leo · Contributor Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1575

Hello

Just to let you ladies know about this CancerOnline website. It is something that Dr. Jay Lu and I are creating together. We are putting a lot of effort on that, so that a lot of good information is available. It will be online soon, and we are already adding content.

best regards,
Leo
_________________
Leonardo F - Webmaster Cancer Forums
Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

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