- Joined
- Jan 11, 2006
- Messages
- 58,560
Sorry FG, I had to quote this so I could respond completely, I guess! I''m so happy to hear that things are looking up for your mom! My MIL just sent me an email telling me that her mom always used to say: "out of all bad things comes something great." I really believe that.Date: 11/28/2006 8:02:29 PM
Author: FireGoddess
We just got back from the doctor''s office. It turns out that out of 10 lymph nodes that were taken, 2 had evidence of cancer cells in them. Those 2 were the sentinel lymph nodes. The good news is that the lesions had clean borders and no evidence of being on the outer surface of the nodes, which means that the likelihood the cancer spread beyond the lymph nodes is much smaller. Also, the other 8 nodes were benign.
Interestingly, the chemo had shrunk the tumor so much that it almost was completely gone and there was a possibility mom could go for a lumpectomy instead of a mastectomy. The surgeon recommended going with the mastectomy to be safe. Good thing, because they found another 3 cm tumor that was completely undetected, even by the MRI. It wouldn''t have been removed if she hadn''t gone for the full mastectomy. Better safe than sorry.
The doctor said mom''s prognosis was very good so we are breathing a sigh of relief right now. She needs to keep healing and then move on to the radiation treatments.
Thanks for all the support guys...I couldn''t have felt strong without it!!
Beacon, for about 2 years now my mom had felt discomfort in the breast that included some hardness, feelings of heat on the area, and more recently dimpling of the skin. Her gynecologist should have immediately picked up on these symptoms, but when the mammograms came back clean the doctor would dismiss my mom''s complaints at every visit. Now that the skin started to dimple my mom realized that was not normal and demanded more tests be done, even though the doctor dismissed it. The doctor really should be taken to task, actually, as we now know that these are symptoms the American Cancer Society clearly lists as things of concern.Date: 11/28/2006 10:57:37 PM
Author: Beacon
One thing I would be very interested to know, if you didn''t mind sharing it: what exactly made your mom feel that something was wrong with her breast to start with? If I read the thread properly it sounds like there was nothing palpable and nothing on the mammo. So, what gave her the motivation to push for that ultrasound?
Seriously, you have no idea. You can''t possibly imagine how much it helped! In situations like these sometimes it''s too overwhelming to talk to friends over the phone and it really helps to have virtual friends and feel their support and concern, and even reread their messages when you''re feeling upset and worried. The people on this board seriously ARE diamonds...beautiful, sparkly, wonderful human beings.Date: 1/11/2007 7:29:06 PM
Author: Maisiebelle
I am amazed at the way people on here surrounded you with a great big ''virtual hug''..... Its fantastic that people from all over your country and maybe even the world grouped together to support you through such a difficult and distressing time. All the prayers and genuine concern must have really helped you a lot.
Moosejaw, thank you for your kind words. I am so sorry to hear of your mother''s passing. Yesterday must have been especially hard for you. I hope you''re doing okay.Date: 1/11/2007 7:05:51 PM
Author: Moosejaw
I just wanted to wish your mother, you, and the rest of your family all the best. We lost my mother at the age of 54 on Valentine''s Day 2006. It is her birthday today, and obviously the first one without her.
Reading situations like yours makes me very happy, and it was the best and right thing to do when you chose to go take care of your mom. Even if you did it selfishly just to be with her, I''d be okay with that too.
-G