Fighting the Cancer battle a second time.....

[Dave1982]

Last night, after getting home from work, I found out that my mother has been diagnosed with breast cancer.......for the second time. :eek::cry:

She had been cancer-free for ten years, and now has to fight the battle all over again. Luckily, they seem to have caught it very early (it was picked up on a routine mamogram). She said it's so small that she can't even feel it. So HOPEFULLY everything will turn out OK, but with cancer you can never be sure.

Still, I was an emotional wreck and got very little sleep last night. :cry:

She's at the doctor right now going over her options. I'm praying for a good prognosis.

Those of you so inclined, please say a prayer for her. :hug:

[Ree]

I'm so sorry.

Your mother is in my prayers.

I hope that all will be well with her. Poor dear. :hug:

[BookstoreEscapee]

Big hug to you and your mom. :hug:

[Sandman]

Hey man.. if you need anyone to talk to.. feel free to call my store. I should be on lunch around 6pm tomorrow.

[Dave1982]

Well, some good news. The doctors definitely believe it's not nearly as bad as the first time. She may not even have to have chemo. Though since it's in the same spot as before, she'll have to have a mastectomy and reconstruction. It's still up in the air though, as there are more tests to run first.

Lightening the moment joke of the day: "I'll bet you'll be DOG tired after the CAT scan," My father.


Hey man.. if you need anyone to talk to.. feel free to call my store. I should be on lunch around 6pm tomorrow.

I appreciate that. I'll keep it in mind.

[XCashier]

Prayers and best wishes for your mom's speedy and thorough recovery. :hug:

[Dips]

Your mom, your family and you are in my prayers.

I like your dad's sense of humor. :)

[Reyneth]

I am so sorry.
Cancer sucks, no way around it. But it can be beaten and many good wishes to your mom and your family in the time ahead.

[Der Cute]

UGH!

Cancer in any form is still serious, whether a benign tumor or a massive all out attack.
I will send up happy thoughts to help your mom & dad & you get through this time.

Cutenoob

[DesignFox]

I will keep you and your family in my thoughts as well.

:hug:

[RecoveringKinkoid]

Prayers for your mother have been said and will continue. I'll be thinking of you and your family. Please keep us posted.

[Dave1982]

Again, thank you all for your support.

She's going to see the plastic (reconstructuve) surgeon on Thursday, IIRC, to determine if she's a candidate for a type of reconstruction that can be done immediately after the mastectomy, all in one long procedure, rather than have to undergo two seperate surgeries. Once that's done they're going to pick a surgery date. It could conceivably be as early as the very next day (though that seems unlikely) but won't be later than Sept 8.

At this time they still think she won't have to have any chemo, but I believe the final determination won't be made until they've examined what they have to remove.

Either way, she faces a painful recovery, but we are very optimistic about her chances. :D

[Dave1982]

Well, she ahsn't even met the the plastic surgeon yet, but the doctor's have already decided that she'll be having the reconstruction as a seperate surgery. The first one - the mastectomy - will be the 24th. This will mean more recovery time, and wil be much more stressful overall for my mother. :cry:

The reason - as my father explained it - is they want to make damned sure they "got it all" (which requires examining the excised tissue) before proceeding with the reconstruction. It wouldn't do to do everything only to find out that they need to go back in there and undo the reconstruction to get some more.

This worries me. What my father did not say was whether this was merely precautionary, or if they're doing this because her cancer is more extensive then I understand it to be (I have been told several times that it is "very small"). I certainly hope it's not the latter......:cry:

[justZu]

I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. My prayers are with you and your family.

[COMINATCHA]

I'm so sorry to hear your mum has to go through this again *hugs*

Cancer is such a bitch - it's hard to believe that they still haven't found a cure despite pouring so much time, effort and money into researching it. It's so scary to hear that someone you love has cancer.

I breifly dated a guy who broke up with me after finding out he had bowel cancer, as he said he couldn't bear the thought of putting me through that. That was incredibly hard to deal with, I can't even begin to imagine how it must feel to have to watch your mum go through it.

I hope you and your mum are okay, and your trying to keep your chin up. Sometimes it's all you can do, and be supportive and loving as always.

[Dave1982]

I'm told the surgery went well. :D Right about now, she should be getting settled into her room. Barring any complications that may crop up overnight, she should be able to come home tomorrow. :)

So, with a little more luck, they got all of it. I certianly hope so.

Oh......I did ask my mother about my previous concern. She assured me that it was a precautionary measure.

[auntiem]

Praying for a speedy recovery for your Mom and strength for you and your family.
I wouldn't worry about the delay in the reconstruction surgery - my friend's doctor said that she never does the surgeries at the same time.
edit to add:
If you know someone who knits - these knitted tits are quick to make and more comfortable against the scar than the silicone ones and it could cheer her up. http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall05/PATTbits.html

[Dave1982]

For those of you who are interested, my mother is apprently 100% fine now. All of the post-op and follow-up tests/scans came back negative, so they are certain that they "got it all" during the mastectomy. :D :cool:

She still needs to have the reconstructive surgery, but last time I checked, that won't be until January/February.

Unfortunately, hot on the heels of my mother's cancer, my father is having a cancer scare of his own. He had a biospy yesterday on a lump on his thyroid that - according to him - has a 10% chance of being cancer. And all of this came after a scare that my uncle had recently (possible stomach cancer, though it turned out to be "only" an ulcer). And my father won't get his results back until Tuesday or Wednesday, so right now it seems like this will never end...... :cry: :runaway:

[Der Cute]

Dave - Glad your mom came through all right. As for your dad - 10 % is a small percentage in my eyes. I'll root for Dad, and please give Mom a high five from me.

Cancer runs in my mom's side of the family, and seems that my generation hasn't had anything so far.

Glad to hear good news!

Cutenoob

[BookstoreEscapee]

Yay for your mom! :)

My mom had a thyroid tumor and had half her thyroid removed (this was years ago). She has to take medication but otherwise she's fine (though she does have a smile-shaped scar that kinda looks like someone slit her throat, which, I guess, they did!). Even if it is cancer, if it's a localized tumor he'll likely be fine.

More good thoughts your way....

[Dave1982]

More good news: my father does NOT have thyroid cancer! :D :highfive:

[Sandman]

Hey.. my dad had an adreinal gland removed because a tumor on it was causing his BP to be sky high, luckly it was non-cancerous