please help mom may have mets to spine - Cancer Message Board

cmayes71 · 02-02-2005, 07:22 PM

My mom was told today by a spinal surgeon that her MRI shows diffuse metastatic disease. He told her straight up it looks like cancer. She has several lesions and a retropulsed fracture. She is in alot of pain. She has had no symptoms of anything being wrong until she hurt her back three weeks ago. She did say she felt something hard in one breast but did not think much of it.

We see an oncologist on Tuesday but her insurance is limited to only four choices and none of them are ones I have heard of. From what I have read the prognosis is not good if this is confirmed to be cancer. She has been in excellent health and this is a shock. I can't imagine losing her. She is only 55.

Does anyone know anything about this?

Cindy

Soulcatcher · 02-02-2005, 07:40 PM

Oh Cindy I am so sorry. It could have been breast cancer that went to the spine. Or spine that may go to the brain. My husband is a Radiation Therapist so I know what you are going through I also worked with him at the front desk. Your mother can live for some time, however it is usually fatal and I know that's the last thing you want to hear. You can probably buy her time with chemo and radiation but this will cause her to be in more pain and tired alot. Alot of families do this as a last hope, no matter what it takes. The best thing to do is to make sure no matter what happens that all her affairs are in order...insurance, the house, any power of attorney. I say this because some families think that their family member will be ok and then if they turn for the worse nothing is in order and it is total chaos. The best thing to do is to make her as comfortable as possible, get things done so she has nothing to worry about. Find things to take her mind off of being sick, deter her from thinking about death. Lets hope the doctor says it is NOT metastatic. I will pray for you and her. She is young and cancer is a horrible thing. You come here and talk to us and we will help you through this. Just being there for her is the best you can do. Lots of love.