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Original poster

My mum's just been diagnosed with breast cancer - success stories please

33 replies

bookthief · 11/09/2007 20:01

Feeling very numb. My parents have known for about a month but didn't want to tell my brother and I until they knew something about what they're dealing with.

Two tumours in the one breast but small. She actually went to the doctor because of a lump in the other breast which has turned out to be benign. They'll decide what to do over the next couple of weeks - definitely mastectomy but possibly some chemo first.

Apparently the tumours are oestrogen responsive (?) Anyway, consultant says this is a good thing.

My mum was upset because she doesn't want us to be worried and sad....

I'm trying to be positive as I know she will be. I'm not ready to lose her but I know you never are.

OP posts:
inamuckingfuddle · 11/09/2007 20:07

My mum was diagnosed 5 years ago, I went through all the emotions you describe, knowing I was probably being daft but with that nagging feeling always there...

It was tough, esp for my dad who seemed at a complete loss for 6 months. She had mastectomy v quickly then chemo and radiotherapy - she managed to come adn visit us for new year 2 days after her first chemo session. She was also invovled in trials for herceptin. She is doing brilliantly now, hair has all grown back and she is full of life. Her top tip for post chemo nausea is eat refreshers

inamuckingfuddle · 11/09/2007 20:08

Should also have added - good luck adn keep posting, it will help to be able to unload here

NannyL · 11/09/2007 20:09

A faily friend of ours was diagnosed with breast cancer about 6 or 7 years ago now

she has since made a full and complete recovery, and has done lots of amazing things like sail from the south coast all the way round to wales then do a long hike and then climb to the top of a mountain!

Is that what you want to here?

She has done lots of sponsored things for charity / walks / sails / clims etc abd raised a lot of £ for breast cancer charities!

NannyL · 11/09/2007 20:10

should have said a long cycle ride then climb / hike to top of mountain!

Beauregard · 11/09/2007 20:13

Sorry to hear this Bookthief,what a worrying time for you all

A friend of mine is now in remission from breast cancer,i don't know all the terminology etc ,she had Chemotherapy followed by a course of radiotherapy.Obviously it was a frightening time for all concerned but she came through it and is a picture of health now and looks fabulous.

I wont tell you not to worry because it would be impossible not to,(god knows i was terrified when my mom had a biopsy taken from her mouth)

Take care of yourself and get pampering your mum

(((hugs)))

xxxx

Original poster
bookthief · 11/09/2007 20:54

Thank you. The stupid thing is I know people who've recovered and are happy and well but I can only seem to remember the sad stories.

I think part of it is knowing that the path to getting well is pretty unpleasant. Anyway, will try to stop second-guessing and getting ahead of myself.

Thanks again for the good wishes & running up mountain stories!

OP posts:
BBBee · 11/09/2007 21:01

my mum

2 tumours in one breast - slight signs of spreading

masectomy

no chemo

all clear

ten years on no signs of anything else

(sorry to be so bullet point but am rushing off but wanted to post)

BBBee · 11/09/2007 21:02

and cancer treatment has come on so much lately.

corblimeycharlie · 11/09/2007 21:06

My mum had a mastectomy 4 years ago followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It was a rough year but now she is completely back to normal. Hers was oestrogen responsive too and she takes a drug called tamoxifen(sp?) every day and has regular mammograms, but everything has been fine.

In fact sometimes I'm a bit confused when people ask me how my mum is, I forget that they still think of her as a cancer survivor.

I wish your mum the best with her treatment and I'm sure when you have a chance to collect your thoughts you will be a huge source of support and love to her.
My mum said she couldn't have got through it without the support of her family.

good luck. x

corblimeycharlie · 11/09/2007 21:08

She hasn't run up any mountains or anything by the way but she does lead her life exactly as it was before and looks after my DS(2.6) two days a week and that could be compared to an endurance test.

maisiedaisy · 11/09/2007 21:10

Sorry to hear this bookthief.
My mum has had breast cancer twice, once in each breast which i beleive is quite rare. The first ime she was 29, second time she was 44.

She made a full reocvery both times after having radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

I know you are trying to stay positive but it is important that you do no bottle things up, make sure you have somebody to talk to even if you just come on here and share how you are feeling.

Sending best wishes to you and your family.

WendyWeber · 11/09/2007 21:13

Damn - was just 3/4 through a post and clicked the wrong button and lost it

Anyway, I am a success story . I was diagnosed in Oct 2000 - 2 small lumps which were fairly aggressive (forget grading now) - had lumpectomy, then 6 months chemo, then 4 weeks radio.

Chemo is not nice, but worst was only about 1 week in 4. Didn't lose all my hair, but it got v thin and then grew back crinkled but is mostly manageable now except for one very crinkly patch. Radiotherapy was hardly any trouble at all physically. Mine was not hormone-receptive so didn't get tamoxifen (herceptin not around then)

Plus point for me was that I went straight into menopause (was 50 then) without passing Go and that wasn't bad.

I was signed off in Nov 05

Chances are your mum will come out of this fine, bookthief. Good luck to all of you!

Original poster
bookthief · 11/09/2007 21:14

Thank you! This is really helping to make me feel more positive.

I did wonder if she would be suitable for tamoxifen. That sounds like good news.

I've only spoken to her on the phone since she told me the news but we're meeting for shopping and lunch tomorrow and it will feel good to give her a big hug.

OP posts:
Original poster
bookthief · 11/09/2007 21:18

Thanks Wendy - congratulations on your recovery!

It's particularly reassuring to hear about people with more than one lump being ok.

OP posts:
jaynehater · 11/09/2007 21:25

My bf Fiona was diagnosed three years ago.

Many ops and trials (all handled with humour and grace) later../

two weeks ago she stayed up all night for the Relay for life, we raised £25k, she got hammered.

Stay positive. Please stay positive, and take control of this, don't let it just happen to you, if there are choices you have control over, take that control, it will make you feel less powerless in the face of what you are dealing with.

All the best to your family....be strong. xxxx

Original poster
bookthief · 12/09/2007 23:14

Thank you JH. Hope Fiona continues to be well.

Today's been a bit wobbly but met up with my mum and we managed to have a laugh about wigs and whether she could request the cup size of her prosthesis...

OP posts:
VengefulSquirrel · 12/09/2007 23:21

Hey Bookthief. I am so sorry to hear your bad news.

My Mum was diagnosed with breast cancer 5 years ago when ds was six months old. I can all too vividly recall that 'thunk' in my stomach when Mum said it was cancer. Part of you just thinks, oh, that's it then, I will lose her.

BUT....after surgery and radiotherapy and 5 yaers of Tamoxifem, my Mum has just been signed off!!!!!! Please believe me, your Mum has every chance of fighting this. Breast cancer is one of the cancers that has a really good possibility of a positive outcome, the treatment is so effective. Keep on thinking positive, and get her to think positive. If I had to do it all again I would change the fact that I spent so long panickig that I was going to lose her. I didn't and I wish I could have been more upbeat for her.

It's obvious that you adore her and I am sure that she will be really glad she's got you beside her at this difficult time.

KerryMum · 12/09/2007 23:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
bookthief · 13/09/2007 00:06

Going to bed but thanks again for all your stories of women doing well. It does help.

I told my mum a couple of the stories but she's still convinced you're all hairy truckers

OP posts:
BellaLasagne · 14/09/2007 12:14

Hi,

My mum was diagnosed with BC this May, had single mastectomy, although she was given the option of lumpectomy. Good decision as it turns out there was more inside it IYSWIM.

Has just finished 4 weeks radiotherapy, which was tiring, mainly dur to the daily 120m round trip , but is absolutely fine now and feeling very positive.

It is a shock at the time, but hopefully you will feel better if you can talk it through and be there for her.

Lots of love to you both BLxx

BellaLasagne · 14/09/2007 12:27

P.S. After I got over the shock, I felt very strongly that I wanted to do something positive that would help my Mum and others in the future. I think this is a natural reaction for anyone faced similar news like this, it automatically becomes a cause close to your heart.

Anyway, I ran in Race for Life and raised loads of £.

My point is that you will need help yourself while you are supporting your mum, whether it's 'talking' on here, or some other means. Be gentle on yourself, and try to talk to someone instead of bottling your feelings up if your're as worried as I was.

Original poster
bookthief · 14/09/2007 21:41

Thanks Bella - I was in Asda this afternoon, big pink ribbon balloons over all the tills.

I'm meeting a friend tomorrow. Sadly she lost her mum to breast cancer a few years ago. She also counts my mum as a friend and is upset for her but she knows the drill and it will be good to talk to her. She does the Race For Life and I'll definitely be joining her.

OP posts:
DANCESwithTheMorningOff · 14/09/2007 21:43

Dh's Aunty, partial mastectomy in the late 1980's, now in her eighties and still going strong

Original poster
bookthief · 14/09/2007 21:59

for Aunty. May she have many more years.

My grandma is 90 at the end of next month and the doctors are cautiously optimistic that my mum will be ok for the party so that's something to look forward to.

OP posts:
NappiesGalore · 14/09/2007 22:05

not breast cancer per se, but i know a woman who was on last legs with cancer many years ago and is going strong today. big turnaround for her was precipitated by the content of this book. i havnt read it ( i was a child when i knew this woman) but i beleive it is quite american... but worth a read id say. she was described as a miracle by consultant at the marsden. an amazing this to see he go from deaths door to remission ( a long and rocky road mind).

my nana had breast cancer. she survived it.