My mums just rang to say she has breast cancer

[fairyfly]

I feel like im going to throw up

[Fio2]

[fairyfly]

Slinky sorry , only just read your post hope you are getting somewhere

My mum started radiotherapy today, she was so scared but has just rang to say it was fine. Lovely staff and not at all traumatic. Very pleased she is still laughing and keeping on top form

[Slinky]

Fairyfly

Excellent news about your mum. REALLY REALLY pleased that she's getting radiotherapy on top of the op! Tamoxifen is given as a general "rule".

To pick up on Tamum's comment re: not knowing anyone who has only had the op. and no follow up treatment. Well, my aunt (who died last week) only had the op. NO RADIO/CHEMO - nothing. I have been reading and reading this week - and the general consensus is to provide at least radiotherapy after surgery.

My aunt had the mastectomy and that was it. No body scans. After her death, we have since found out that the cancer came back in her other breast - this was completely undetected (along with her leukamia).

We're very angry at the moment - have been invited to attend the GPs office for a "discussion" on her care - hence why I have been trying to gather information from the web.

Big hugs for you and your mum

[fairyfly]

Dingle im so sorry that sounds incredibly traumatic, i hope you get to see her soon.

Thanks Amy, im over the moon, im sorry you didn't get the same outcome but hopefully soon it will all be some distant nightmare for you all. Fingers crossed the chemo is working as hard as it is.

[amynnixmum]

Dingle{{{{{hugs}}}}}
Fairyfly that is fantastic news. I am so pleased for you both. Its perfectly normal for your mum to have the radiotherapy and drugs - that's what we were hoping for mum before they told us it had spread. Mum is feeling a bit better now but has been rough all week. Sore throats, fatigue and nasuea. She says its like being hungover but without the fun first. So so pleased for you {{{{{{{{{big hugs}}}}}}}}} to you both.

[Dingle]

FF- I have seen this thread come up, but not even had the courage to read it until today. I can't offer you any words of advice, but I can only say I am with you and you mum in the fight for her health.
My mum has thrombosis for nearly 30 years, 5 years ago had complete renal failure, recovered from that and 3 years ago had a massive heart attack and had to be resussitated in A&E.
She has been feeling poorly again since about November, and has spent the last 3 weeks in hospital with renal fialure yet again. She will have to go back up to London 3 times a week for dialysis and they are also treating her with chemo sessions every 3 weeks!!
We are in Kent and have only visited her once, due to the lack of childcare and now the dreaded flu bug going round-she seems so far away, and no matter what they say, a phone call just isn't the same as a hug!
I suppose what I am trying to put accross is that hopefully with the love and support you are giving her, she will get through this. Me and my mum had a little giggle on the phone a few nights ago, she is also back on steroids and with that and the chemo, she said about being fat, puffy AND bald. Does it really matter, I just want her back home, healthier and feeling better in herself- I don't care what she looks like, I just want a hug!!
Sorry, I have got myself all upset- I hope I have not done the same to you-the aim was to give you support!

{{{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}} Dingle.xx

[fairyfly]

thanks suedonim, good to know

[suedonim]

I'm pleased the news is good, FF. My sis has been on tamoxifen for a long time - not for breast cancer but for melanoma in her arm and lymph nodes - and she doesn't have any side effects, afaik.

[fairyfly]

The doctor will see you now.......

[Blu]

Only when I dress up in my v short white coat and rubber gloves and say 'open wide'...tee hee

[fairyfly]

Thanks, are you sure Dr Blu
Thanks lu

[Blu]

FF, from what I can remember, if she has been given Tamoxifen that is a really good, positive sign, as, afaicr, only cancers which are sensitive to oestrogen can be helped by Tamoxifen (which increases your overall chances a lot), because tamoxifen subdues oestrogen, and so takes away the environment for cancer to survive.

But then 'Dr' is not any part of my name

[lou33]

am sure it is ff. My mum was the same, and she struggled, because she didn't want to know what was going on, or have to make choices, because it was too scary for her.

xxxx

[fairyfly]

Right she is down because she has to pick a drug, a new one or the tamoxifen. Shes reading all the side effects. I don't know, im pretty upset if im honest , she just told me that she wishes the gates of heaven would just open for her. Really winds me up.
I hope its just shock.

[fairyfly]

thanks tamum xx

[tamum]

Poor her. I honestly don't know of anyone who has just had an op and not had any kind of follow-up radiotherapy or chemo. I would guess the drugs will just be tamoxifen or something to reduce any chance of a recurrence, and they wont be unpleasant. I really don't think that they secretly think it's spread or anything, it's just normal practice to be absolutely safe. xxx

[fairyfly]

ok thanks tanum, kind of understand now, she just seems a little down

[tamum]

It sounds really normal to me ff- they're just making certain that they get any last cell that might have been lingering. As you say, they've cut it all out and it hasn't spread, but it's best to have this kind of belt and braces approach. I'm so pleased that it hasn't spread

[fairyfly]

ok this is all normal isn't it, shes on drugs for five years and still has radiotherapy.No cancer in the lymph nodes. If they removed it all why do they give radiotherapy and drugs, anyone with a brain?

[lou33]

[emmatmg]

FANTASTIC news ff.

[fairyfly]

Thanks misdee, i hope you get some good news soon

[misdee]

oh fantastic news. give her a big hug when you see her.

[fairyfly]

I feel slightly crazed and my sensible head is telling me to stay in tonight, calming down now, what more could we ask for, incredibly lucky and i love her.