Progression/Breast Cancer ???

[niteterrors]

My MIL was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago and refused Western treatment and opted for homeopathic therapies. She has kept her son (my husband) in the dark for the most part as she does not want him to worry, but this past summer she'd mentioned that the tumor had gotten larger; however she did not indicate how large was "larger". This fall, she reported developing an abscess on her chest that was bleeding through the skin and required multiple bandage changes daily. She had lost weight, going from 145 to 99 lbs over the course of a year, yet had gained 15 lbs back this year.

She was hospitalized on New Year's Eve for arm edema and put on blood thinners to reduce clotting; however, she reported that this will increase the bleeding through the breast at the abscess. She is hesitant to have the breast removed. She did tell my husband that mestatsis has set in (not sure what that means) and that the doctors are wanting to remove the affected breast.

My question pertains to what stage she may be in. I've searched the Internet for progression but since I do not know the size of the tumor, I can't base the progression on that and I can't find anything about arm edema associated with NON treatment, nor bleeding through the skin/abscess.

My MIL has been pacifying my husband and has told my husband that this is nothing serious, nor life threatening, but I have my doubts. Perhaps someone here can give me some information as to what stage she may be in based on these symptoms? And if she is possibly in end-stage, how much longer might she have?

Thank you.

[motherof2FL]

When the cancer has metasasized that means it has spread to other parts of the body, most commonly for breast cancer is bones, lungs, liver, chest. Once it has metasasized, it is a Stage IV and there is no cure only pallative care to make the patient have a better quality of life. Chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, etc. may be prescribed to help extend life, but at this point in time there is no cure for it. The average life expectancy is 18 - 24 months for someone who has been diagnosed with Metasized Breast Cancer. Depending on how extensive it is or isn't the time period could be more or less.

If you are wondering how I know all of this, I too have metasized breast cancer (spread to my liver), and will begin more treatments this month to help extend my life. I am a mother of 2; a 4 year old and a 16 month old. I was originally diagnosed with BC when I was 17 weeks pregnant with my youngest, I went through Chemo, had the baby at 34weeks, had my mastecomy, followed by more chemo and radiation. I thought I was in the clear until about a month or so ago, then just this past week, they confirmed what I thought, it had spread to my liver. I just lost my mom in October to Liver Metasis from Ocular Melanoma. It was only 2 months from dignoses to her death. I just hope mine is a little longer.

My thoughts are with your family, I know what a difficult time this is, I've been there and are currently there.

[pms_barbie]

I am so sorry for both of you. I came here looking for some help because my mother in law was just diagnosed with breast cancer. She is having her left breast removed week after next. She said the dr said it was stage 1. She had a lump removed last week. However they havnt from my understanding checked her lymp nodes yet. So how can they have already staged it? I about cried when she told me the news. However she told me dont you dare its going to be ok. She has a positive attitude I guess I am afraid it will turn out worse than she thinks it is. Any help on helping me understand the lymp thing would be greatly appreciated.

[mbschultzie]

My mother has breast cancer and at December CAT scan a small spot showed up on her liver. They changed her medication from Arimidex to Faslodex and she has been having trouble getting around the house and now needs a walker to feel safe. We feel it is the medication change. Her blood levels where good till December then 1 elevated to 45 from 24 and the other stillwas within range but slightly elevated. I am more concerned about quality of life what are other people's experiences with faslodex? We are also using Garden of life RM-10 and Norwegien Cod Liver oil as a supplement. history - double mastectomy, historectomy due to bleeding from tamoxifin treatment changed to arimidex and now faslodex. We are looking for alternatives. She is 82 and upto the change in Medication has been doing well. We would like to go back and try tamoxifin again.

[phaedrus]

I just want to say to all of you that my thoughts are with you and especially Motherof2Fl. I am at work checking the board, and I nearly burst into tears when I read your posting. I have two little ones (bit bigger than yours), and I am so sad for you. I have nothing of significant value to offer in terms of advice, but I offer my prayers. I keep asking people if they have heard of maitake mushrooms treating cancer as I read about a study done on mice with tumours where the mushrooms had reduced the size of the tumours significantly, but no one has responded to date. However, if there is nothing to lose I guess anything is worth a try...
God bless you all,