Friend has breast cancer

[imacccu]

Just some advice really
My friend has been diagnosed with breast cancer which she's had the tumour removed.
It has spread to some lymph nodes and was told stage 2
Today she found out it has spread to her chest wall.
I'm worried sick but don't want to ask her questions
How serious is this ? What kind of treatment will she need?

Hi OP,

That sounds incredibly rough. I am sorry your friend is going through this. However, don't be afraid to talk to her and ask her for details. She will tell you if she's comfortable, and if not, she'll tell you that, too. (I was your friend in this situation a couple of years ago.)

At this point your friend will probably have more tests (CT, Pet scan or similar) to check that the cancer hasn't set up shop in any other organs. If those scans are clear, then it's quite likely to be more surgery and chemotherapy - maybe in this order, maybe the other way around. Depends on the details. Then possibly radiotherapy to any remaining breast tissue and lymph nodes.

The best, best, best things my friend did during this time were simple: remembering when my appointments were and entertaining me with inane WhatsApp messages when I sat around waiting rooms or the chemo suite. There was one friend who "coincidentally" messaged me every time I had chemo, and stored up the best gossip she knew for those times. It meant a lot. I needed that distraction!

Best of luck to your friend.