Breast Cancer Community

Oh I am so sorry to hear this about your Mother. Life can be so unfair at times.

I just wanted to share what I am going thru with my Mother. She is 92 basically in good health altho she has dementia. Her memory is about 10 minutes long. She has trouble comphrending things that are new to her. She has possible ductal ca. No lump just drainage from her left breast. Will get the results of mammo on June 7th. We did an ultra-sound first as I didn't think she could handle the pain of a mammo. But I was wrong. She did fine.

My question to both her Dr's were: How aggressive to we treat this???? Because there is no lump a lumpectomy is out. I will NOT give my consent for a mastectomy as she would not remember why her breast is missing. Also I had one last year and I will not put my Mother thru that kind of pain. Her Dr's stated due to her age she was not a candidate for surgery as there are too many risks involved. My son, daughter and I all agree for my Mother Quaility of Life is better than Quantity. IF she didn't have dementia so bad---I do not know what I would decide to do. Her primary Dr stated that due to her age my Mother's ca would probably not be that aggressive. I only pray he is right.

This is a very difficult decision. With your Mother can they remove the lump or would it have to be the whole breast?? what does she want to do???? Or did they already do a lumpectomy???

My heart goes out to both of you. Please let us know what you decide to do. We are here for both of you. Sending loads of prayers and good thoughts.

Blessings
Jan

Thanks for your reply and I am so sorry you are going through this with your mom, too. My mother has no dementia and is very cognizant. She is willing to fight, but since my last post she has complained about sharp pain in the top of rib cage so we will do a bone scan on Monday. Short of radiation and chemo, I don't know what treatment the oncologist can offer us. I am talking to the doctors on her behalf and haven't told her how frightended I am of bone cancer. She is surely aware of the possibility. I guess that until we see the oncologist next Friday and the bone scan has come back, we will be in limbo. I am trying to be positive when I talk to her, but it getting harder by the day. She lives an hour from me and has been keeping up her very busy schedule at her retirement community....hope that can continue.

Thoughts and prayers to all who are going through this awful time.

Sally

Mother had a bone scan Tuesday and we met with the oncologist yesterday. Her scan is clean! He was very optimistic and has scheduled a PET scan for next Tuesday and a consultation for Wed. If all goes as he thinks it will, we will schedule her for a mastectomy. He thinks she would be able to handle it well and that it would cure the cancer. We are amazed at this news and extremely grateful. Would love to hear from anyone who has had an elderly parent have a mastectomy.

Jan, how did your mom's visit go this week?

"He was very optimistic" Wonderful!!

Pinkie will be there filled with members carrying tons of support and good thoughts on both Tuesday and Wednesday!! Please keep us posted.

Blessings.
Rachael