My mother has Stage IV breast cancer

honeysuckle · Regular Joined: 04 Aug 2007 Posts: 34

She was diagnosed in May 2007, scheduled for surgery in mid July but this was cancelled after the CT scan showed that her cancer had spread to her bones. The oncologist said that it showed heavy concentration in her right hip, leg and spine. Yet they have only put her on a hormone blocker (can't remember the name) thus far.

Her oncologist is on vacation in Damascus. Her nurse co-ordinator at the breast center is also on vacation. Mother thinks she's going to be okay on this medication but I don't think she realises how grave her situation is.

I am dealing with two family members who have cancer - mother and sister! Not an easy place to be at the moment.

Any advice about what I should do regarding my mother? I plan to make calls tomorrow to her general doctor to see what he thinks about leaving her until September to be treated.

brainman

Honeysuckle, your mother has to wait until September for treatment??? Personally, I find that unacceptable... especially since it is such a high grade cancer. Yes, talk to her GP today. However, even if her oncologist is on vacation, he/she has someone who is covering cases for him/her. Try contacting the oncologist's backup doctor through the oncologist's office. Ask to speak with a nurse not to the receptionist who answers the phone.

A hormone blocker might be all the treatment the oncologist thinks is required... but I would ask before assuming anything. I know that you have posted before. However, I do not remember if you said whether or not your mother's cancer is ER+.

You and your mother continue to be in my thoughts and my prayers.
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Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
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Muttsmom

Hi,

I know if I found out my cancer had spread, I'd be a basket case too. With that said, I know many ladies who's cancer has spread to their bones and are still stable and leading an active life many years later. I'm not a doctor, but I've seen other ladies who were given Arimidex, Femara or one of the other meds if their cancer was estrogen/progestere postive for bone mets and if they responded to that, that's all the treatment they got. I know some have had to have radiation to the bone mets, but I don't think chemo is an everyday treatment for them. There are bone strengthers that they get and depending on which one, is how often they get it.

I've never heard of a doctor making someone wait for 2 months to have surgery when it's cancer related, but I'm sure all those bone mets didn't happen in that short period of time.

Is there not an oncologist on call for your mom's so you can get answers before next month? I know you want to know what the treatment plan is, and if it's to try Arimidex, Femara or one of the other ones 1st and see how she responds, then you'd like to know that too.

Please let us know.
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

honeysuckle · Regular Joined: 04 Aug 2007 Posts: 34

My mother is doing okay these days (for her situation), but my sister is dying from colon cancer and that's what we've been occupied with.

I can't remember the name of the drug mum is on (her cancer is estrogen/progesterone related), and so far she's doing fine on it. I am not looking forward to chemo with her because I've gone through that with my sister and it's not fun to watch them.

Thanks for the responses. I've been telling mum that she needs to continue exercising (walking at least) but she's never been super active so that's not going to happen. Oh well.

Muttsmom

I'm so very sorry to hear about your sister. This disease has got to be stopped.

Sounds like your mom needs to exercise to keep her bones stronger, but you can't make someone do what they don't want to.

Please know you and your family are in my prayers.
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

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