My mother has breast cancer and is scared it has spread. We still havent gone for a PET scan and currently have that scheduled. She has had removal of tumor, mastectomy and the port put in and has sprung back very quickly from all three surgeries. She is very healthy and nothing would make you assume she has cancer. She is fearfull that it has spread. Would you know if it has spread elsewhere by syptoms or something? Also if there are no symptoms and it has spread does that mean it is in distant sites but in small growth? She had ductal invasive breast cancer and then spread to 10 nodes which tested pos and one was measured at 3 or 5cm. It also spread outside the node as well. I just cant picture it being elsewhere and the doctor saying you only have a few months to live. She is just way to healthy and looking good how can her health digress so fast? This is crazy!
I know very little about cancer, but I hope to God that she is alright.
glad to hear that you have an appointment. that is really the best thing…see the doctor.
Also I am glad to see that you are supporting your mother…she needs every bit of love and emotional support you can give her. God bless you.
I was diagnosed with cancer in December and my 29 year old son has not spoken to me since December….I miss him and the love he always shared…and this loss has caused me to get sicker quicker. He has refused to share xmas, my birthday and mothers day…..do i hate him? no, i luv him and feel sorry that he is missing my last days.
Anyway - back to you….can she go down hill so fast…yes, it is day to day (trully) –one day good - one day not so good.
God Bless you and good luck.
You did not mention how long it had been since her surgery and whether or not she was having any symptoms that made her suspect the cancer was back. Both are relevant to your answer.
Generally speaking if the cancer returns a person would notice malaise, fevers, night sweats, weight loss and possibly nausea. If she had brain or lung mets then she would show memory or breathing symptoms.
If your mom is looking and feeling well then she should live her life to the fullest and not worry about the “what ifs” down the road. I know this is easier said than done but she can not change the future but she can live her life in a way that gives her peace and personal satisfaction.
Good luck on the PET scan. These are an easy test to have and are very accurate for detecting new tumors over about 1/2 cm in size.
Unfortunately none of us have any control over cancer. I truly hope your Mother prevails,although my step daughter had pretty much the same thing.She finished several rounds of kemo and then was pronounced cancer free!Ivisited her in late July & then i got a call August end that the cancer was back and spread throughout her body.NO SYMTOMS!She had left us early September.Stand by your Mother!Remember Stress kills!Try Cancer Centers of America!They do have miracles!Good Luck And GOD BLESS YOU BOTH!!
This is one of the reasons that cancer is such a miserable disease and total nightmare. Hopefully your Mom has not had a relapse . . but there is no way of fully knowing until she has a PET scan. Sometimes the cancer is still very small and still treatable. That is why doctors recommend a CT every 3 months after treatment officially ends. Fortunately or unfortunately, cancer can be asymptomatic. It can be really hard to believe that cancer is life threatening when the person looks and feels so well. But, cancer is a ticking time bomb. It is deceptive and it can be deadly. Never underestimate it.
You are doing everything right. There really is not much more to do except wait for the PET results. We call it scanxiety . . because it is always so nerve wrecking waiting between scans. Just remember that the months and years she remains ‘no evidence of disease’ . . the more likely that the cancer is gone for good. She may need to stay vigilant . . but still the longer the time period . . the better.
All I can offer you is to stay strong. I know this is a small thing . . but to take your mind off the upcoming PET . . as far as you know, right now, today . . your mother is fine and healthy and there is no cancer. Just remember that and you can cope. Focus on it being good news and don’t worry about it until there is something to worry about.
Best to you. I understand more than you will ever know.
First of all, if your cancer spread you absolutely do not know by symptoms. there are no symptoms. i know this for an absolute fact because my mother has had breast cancer for 17 years and is still battling it and it is in her bones and liver. when it spread to her bones and liver she had noo symptoms. the way she found out was by a routine pet and ct scan. My mom is just like your mom and very healthy she exercises everyday and is filled with joy which is why its so surprising that she has it. Also about the whole “few months to live thing” you have to have hope. I pray that my mom is a living inspiration to you because she has had breast cancer for 17 years! She beat the odds and is still going strong. Her doctor said that one of his patients lived 30 yrs after the cancer spread to her liver. ANYTHING i mean anything is possible. She could live as many yrs as my mom has. I hope this helped because if anyone on here knows first hand, i absolutely do!!! also if you have ANY questions at all about coping and just someone to talk to who is going through the exact same thing, I am here
I was recently diagnosed with Stage four breast cancer and was working 40hrs a week and apart from feeling stressed out and tired was still functioning. I had never had cancer before. My symptoms came over 3-4 months and were swelling in abdomen and pelvic area, swollen glands in groin, thigh later swelled. I had stinging in abdomen and strange feelings not exactly pain. Lymph nodes inside thigh were painful to touch. My breast cancer did not go under arm to nodes as usully happens. I hope your mother will be
ok? I am on treatment and improving. Seems one can survive this for some time, but stage four is chronic and usaully requires ongoing meds.