Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Breast Cancer...Help !

9 replies

OzJo · 15/08/2004 04:33

Dear everyone,
My Mum had a recent mamogramme that picked up a small patch of something, ( no lump, she wouldn't have known it was there if it wasn't for the scan). The biopsy came back positive, ie cancer, but they won't be able to tell her more untill they have operated and tested the tissue/ surrounding tissue tec. I'm feeling uterly useless as she's in Devon, I'm in Australia. I can go back, but she'd rather wait till she knows where she stands a bit, ie, what other treatment she might need etc. I know that mumsnet is a UK based thing...anyone know any good support organisations? Or good websites? She's mastered the art of emailing..mainly because I'm out here. I know there's alot to be positive about, ie it was picked up early..the first person that read the scan didn't even see it, just lucky that someone else saw it.
All advice gratefully recieved.

OP posts:
zippy539 · 15/08/2004 08:30

OzJo - can't offer any practical advice but just wanted to say sorry that you are all going through this. On the positive side it sounds like your mum has been really lucky getting this picked up so early. I know others will be able to give more constructive info but try not to feel too bad about being so far away - it sounds like you've got good communicative relationship so you will be able to offer fantastic emotional support despite the distance. Many daughters who live just round the corner from their mums can't supply that!

gscrym · 15/08/2004 08:30

Here's a few, sorry, crap at links.

www.cancerindex.org - Links to cancer organisations
www.breastcancercare.org.uk
www.macmillan.org.uk
www.breakthrough.org.uk

Hope you and your mum are okay.

hmb · 15/08/2004 08:36

Cancer Bacup UK are great. They do lots of 'no-nonsense' leaflets that will give you information on the condition and possible treatments.

The MacMillan nurses are also superb.

On the positive side, survival rates are improving all the time. My Aunt, who is in her 80s was diagnosed with breast cancer 9 years ago and has had no return after her mastectomy, and hers was not caught as easlt as your mothers.

Hope that things go well.

sylvev · 15/08/2004 10:53

Hi sorry to hear your news. I agree with comments so far. My sister (now 57) was also diagnosed with brest cancer in exactly the same way i.e routine breast scan via work scheme, a 'patch' found on scan and cancer disgnosed. She was offered various options and opted for mastectomy of 1 breast plus chemo. The surgeon said this was not strictly necessary but my sister opted for this for peace of mind. All went well and she now has the all clear. I do hope your mum and you are ok, often it is the waiting and not-knowing that is the worst. My sister found some of the cancer helplines very helpful in the early days.
Best wishes and thinking of you.

zippy539 · 15/08/2004 19:34

just bumping this up.

Piffleoffagus · 15/08/2004 20:13

Hi there, sorry to hear about your mum ozjo, very scary time for you.
My best friend was diagnosed with breast cancer 19 mths ago after finishing breastfeeding.
She was 38, she firstly has a biospy to determine malignancy, this was postitive, she did not want a full mastectomy which she was offered, some could say even advised to have. She would have been offered full cosmetic recontruction of her breasts.
They took out the pump, surrounding tissue and her lymph nodes as it was quite an aggressive cancer.
She had 8 course of chemo as well, then she now has hormone treatment to prevent eostreogen? I think. She also is having regular radiotherapy to deter any potential regrowth of a tumour.
She was very ill with the chemo, she did lose her hair, the thing she says she most appreciated was people amusing her, keeping her up and sort of taking the mick about her misfortune, if she got too much tea and sympathy she felt she would die...
She is fine now, still on hormones, still very overweight because of it, but now has her energy back to expend with her daughter and husband.
She also recommends Macmillan Nurses as a source of support.
Hope she is ok, and she is right, getting it picked up early while it is small is an IMMENSE advantage.
Take care, try not to panic too much
xx

Piffleoffagus · 15/08/2004 20:14

pump=lump, apologies

Joshjunior · 16/08/2004 09:13

My mum was diagnosed with breast cancer after having some discharge from her nipple. She had a lumpectomy with removal of lymph glands and has just finished radiotherapy. She found that the breast care nurses at the hospital were very good with both emotional and physical support and advice. Best wishes to you and your family.

Original poster
OzJo · 16/08/2004 10:04

Dear everyone,
thankyou for the support, I'll pass on the info to Mum. She has an friend of a friend that works for the Macmillan nurses that had breast cancer herself. It's amazing how many people have come into contact with this illness. I'm hearing so many positive stories....It's just so hard not to be able to give her a fat hug and distract her with her grandchild. This was always something that we knew could happen moving out here..but not for a couple of decades! ( she's only 61). Still, grizzeling down the phone is no use and I know that there's so much that's good about it being caught early. Have to stay positive, and email/phone alot.
thanks again,

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page