My mom's Breast Cancer Stage IV question?

Question

the doctor said she was already incurable :(( does it mean she will just die??

pls help

right now she is just continuing her chemo's and checkup's and med's

but the doctor said it was INCURABLE will she not survive???

:((

Answer 1

Incurable means they don't have any medicine they can give her to make it go away. They may continue to treat her with chemo as long as she wants. This is always good because the longer they prolong her the better chance that some new medical miracle will come out and help us beat cancer. There are miracles out there and hopefully she will be one of those great stories we hear about. My mom had stage IV but it was everywhere in her body when they found it. she lived a lot longer than they told her she would. You really need to sit down and talk to your mom about this so you can hep each other. you are in my thoughts!

Answer 2

Sorry to hear about your mother.

You don't say much about her situation, like where her secondary cancer is. Once the cancer has spread to other parts of the body it's incurable but it can often be managed for some time. As she is continuing with chemo, the doctors may well think that it can be managed.

In the case of a friend of mine, her extensive bone spread, discovered 6 years ago, improved with treatment. She has her ups and downs, and of course frequent hospital visits and treatment, but she works part-time and enjoys life. Her cancer is incurable, she will always have cancer, but it is being controlled.

My best wishes to your mother.

Answer 3

A very difficult Question. Nothing can be predicted for stage IV breast cancer patients. The choice of initial treatment is based on many factors. For stage I, II, or III cancers, the main considerations are to adequately treat the cancer and prevent a recurrence either at the place of the original tumor (local) or elsewhere in the body (metastatic). For stage IV cancer, the goal is to improve symptoms and prolong survival. However, in most cases, stage IV breast cancer cannot be cured. In the given circumstances we have to continue with all possible treatments in order to prolong the survival, as CANCER IS STILL AN ENIGMA. -

Answer 4

NO NO NO! Incurable doesn't mean death. Your Mom, and I, have Stage IV cancer. You have to remember that with Stage IV we will never be free from the disease as some women might be if they have surgery to remove the cancerous masses. With Stage IV we come to basically manage a chronic condition. You need to try to look at what you Mom is doing as something more like managing diabetes or heart disease. There are things she has to do, meds she has to take and treatments she has to go through to keep the cancer from growing. Ultimately we would love it and feel secure and 'well' if we could get the label NED (no evidence of disease) and move forward but we can't.

Stage IV is not a death sentence. It is a condition that has to be managed over years and years and years.

It is incurable but many women live with this condition for 10 -20 or 30 years.

Peace!

Answer 5

Well . . there are many diseases which are incurable . . diabetes is life threatening and it is incurable . . but that doesn't mean that there isn't any treatment. That is the same with some types of cancer . . your mothers cancer is incurable with today's medicine . . but maybe in a few years there will be a break through in cancer research . . and viola . . a cure found. But, we are not at that point yet. That does not mean that your mother cannot live with her cancer (no guarantees though) . . so, she needs to find a good support group, stay vigilant with treatment, look into clinical trials and find a med that will keep her disease stable.

People Living with Cancer
http://www.plwc.org/

Answer 6

Your mother is still fighting and that along with your love, care ,and support can mean the world. People live with cancer for years and although it isn't a good sign to be diagnosed a stage IV , she may live for quite a while. I hope she is getting good care and at least 2 opinions as to her treatment. Insurance will pay for two opinions with something as serious as cancer and diet, prayer and love all play a part in her care. Get a second opinion from a good teaching hospital like M.D Anderson or Sloan Kettering. I am sure there is a Cancer center near you. Good luck to your mom and family , i wish you well.

Answer 7

Stage IV usually means incurable,however it does't mean that she can't live for a long time.My wife has stage IV kidney cancer and was told she had less then a year.That was over four years ago and she is still here and doing great and I think she will be around for a long time.Don't lose hope and remember to FIGHT LIKE HELL!

Answer 8

It sounds like your mom is doing everything she can to stay with you. Incurable does not preclude temporary remission or buying some time.
It sounds as though you might benefit from a long conversation with a professional who can explain this to you and help you through a time when I'm sure you only want to love and support your mom. The best thing for her and the kindest thing for yourself would be for you to seek out this professional as soon as you can.
God speed!

Answer 9

my mom died of cancer. at stage IV that is pretty bad (sorry to say). the cancer has already spread too far. its probably in her lymphnodes and once its in there the outcome is not good. just make her life as comfortable as possible. see her as much as u can and cherish everyday. she is gonna be very weak and will need u to help her though it all. it was a nightmare. no one should have to go through this. im so sorry for u and ur family. stay strong

Answer 10

I am so sorry to hear that. I don't want to tell you one way or another, because many people are different. My father just passed away on the 9th of November, and he had lung cancer. I know that he knew for a few months, but we are not even sure what stage it was in. Hang in there dear, and be strong for yourself, family, and mother, and I will be praying for you.