I just found out last night that my mom was diagnosed yesterday morning with metastatic breast cancer to the hip. Her original breast cancer was diagnosed 1999. She had radiation, chemotherapy and surgery. In 2005, she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer to the lungs. Near the end of her chemo, she contracted a blood infection which almost killed her. She had to stop treatments because the antibiotic she was on 24/7 through an IV was so strong she couldn't take her chemo at the same time, which in turn let more cancer spread in her lung. Since her first bout with lung cancer (minus the 3 months she was taken off for antibiotics) she has been on weekly chemo and herceptin IV drip once a week. I don't really know what I am asking here, but I'm just looking for some answers anyone has for anything she's been though. If she's been getting treatments for this long, and herceptin, which is a medicine to pretty much keep you in remission, why is it still spreading?
2007-03-09 15:18:43 · 2 answers · asked by Just Me 7 in Health ➔ Women's Health
She sees her doctor next friday and will find out then when she will start radiation.
2007-03-09 15:19:09 · update #1
I work as a researcher at a cancer hospital. I have no first hand experience (knock on wood) but often times people grow more and more resist. to medication of any sort. First understand though that her "lung cancer" is still breast cancer. I'm sure you know that. When cancer is out of control, sometimes drugs can't help the situation. Metastasis is very serious. Hopefully radiation can help to shrink the tumors. If they have metastasized to the lung and hip, it could be in other places too so I'll pray that radiation works to a degree and relieves the pain. If you need moral support, email me.
2007-03-09 15:34:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
so sorry for you and your Mom. It sounds like she is just buying some time. Some people just don't respond to treatment well. This is a hard thing for everyone, but spend time with your Mom and do the things and say the things you want to say now. You might read the Kubler Ross book on helping someone to die, because giving her permission to stop the treatment may be something she asks for at some point. Good luck
2007-03-09 23:39:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋