Scared for my mum.

[Becausetheworldisround]

I’m not really sure who to talk to/ask about this and wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation.
My mum has just told me that she found a tiny lump in her breast weeks ago. She went to the doctors, for exams etc, basically they say she has a slow, tiny cancer. She’ll have an op where she’ll have dye inserted into the area, then will need five courses of radiotherapy.
Feeling v worried but unable to show it to her. Does anyone know more about it, or been through similar?

I haven't but I just wanted to say that she will be in good hands, try not to stress too much, sending hugs to you both x

@kazillionaire Thank you 🙏 she seems ok and quite calm about it all, just a bit of a shock.

My gran had a tiny lump in each breast about 8 years ago. She had an op to have both lumps removed and then had radiotherapy but I’m unsure how many sessions. She went everyday for a number of weeks. She got the all clear after that and has been well ever since, still going strong at 82!

@DSGBT Thank you, that’s reassuring 💜glad she is doing so well!
I’m just researching now (don’t want to burden my mum with too many questions) but I’m guessing the op is a lumpectomy

If it's slow and tiny she will be fine. The op isn't a major one and the radiotherapy will "mop up" any remaining cancer cells. She's in good hands, you don't need to worry.

Is she calm about it to keep you happy? Have you had a big chat about it all? Do you want to?

Just asking because my mum told me everything, all the details, the fears, the pain, the planning for "what ifs" etc... but as far as my sister was concerned she "had a little lump that was responding well to treatment"... she tried to go that way with me at first, but there was something that did not ring true, luckily I was there when she needed to talk.

@starrynight21 Yes, it does sound reassuring from that point of view, they’ve also got her straight in and have been fantastic. It’s just the fear it’s somewhere else or will come back

@BeyondMyWits I’m not sure, I just tried to listen today, she was a little emotional and I cried a bit. She’s generally a calm person but does keep saying that she feels fine about it, but I know it must be scary.
Hope your mum is ok.
She has been told it’s very small and very slow 🤷🏻‍♀️They seem fairly positive about it, I was shocked when she said she needs radiotherapy though. Now I’m sat upstairs just sort of processing it and crying. Just wanted to be positive for her

If it slow and tiny, and recently discovered, then she'll be getting good treatment, early on and the prognosis will be good.

It may or may not help but the author Joanne Harris has recently been having chemotherapy having had a lump removed. She's used Twitter to relay what has been happening. The overall feel of her posts is whilst it is a scary situation, she is very positive.

Sorry you are going through this. As a PP said perhaps try to get to the bottom of how she really feels about it, mums are very good at hiding things not to worry us! This was probably the most frustrating thing about my mums cancer, she shared the bare minimum and left too much open for interpretation. I was driving myself crazy trying to figure out how bas it was, with little information to base it on. So if you can get her to talk it may help.

Don't worry too much about her needing radiotherapy though, thats fairly standard and doesn't mean her cancer isnt tiny as they said. And also don't feel bad about crying, let it out so you can then be there for her. Take care x

Not quite the same but I had DCIS, had a small area cut out, didn't need any chemo or radio therapy and am now 5 years all clear. They've caught your mums very early and hopefully she'll be cancer free very soon

Hi OP,

This sounds very similar to my own DM.

After the initial shock she dealt with it really well.

She had a lumpectomy, radiotherapy and this was followed by a course of Tamoxifen which is a hormonal drug sometimes given afterwards, however this will depend on the type of breast cancer.

12 years later and she's doing brilliantly.

Just be there as much as you can.

I wish you both well

Hi. I'm four years on and all clear. So they inject radio active dye in which makes your wee a boootiful colour - really impressive blue/green. The lumpectomy is fine - a day case. They might remove lymph nodes from under the arm - that is actually more painful afterwards. You cannot drive for a couple of weeks. I had three weeks of radiotherapy - it knackers you out but I worked throught the first week. It sounds scarier than it is which is mostly lying on a scanner thing being moved mm by mm to get in the right spot. Honestly, she will be fine. My advice is drink lots of water, take arnica for a few days befor the op, take tumeric after the op, do the excersises and slap on Aveno cream. The worst bit is everyone getting scared because it is cancer and treating you like you are going to die. It sounds like it has been caught early. They will grade it once out and also do the hormone tests. Most likely to have been caused by oestrogen so then medication for a few years. Losing weight helps too (must take on that advice).

I had breast cancer over a decade ago, it is indeed a shock as we always fear the worst. I'm assuming your mom will be a having a lumpectomy, which although common surgery, it's still major. Even when we've had all of our treatment our greatest fear is that it will return. I had chemo, & radio ... The treatment can be brutal. We're all different though & don't all have exactly the same treatment. Macmillan have a wonderful online community where you can speak to people going through the same. Or you can call Macmillan Cancer Support on 0808 808 00 00. Wishing you & your dear mom all the very best 🌹

Thank you so much for the feedback everyone 💐

My mum did at 55, a small lump found in a mammogram, she had a lumpectomy and radiotherapy. She’s now 80 years old. Try to stay positive, if it’s tiny it sounds like they’ve found it very early x