My Sons Girlfriend......

Morning Smores, My son is 26 and his girlfriend is 32. They have been together for 5 years.Yesterday, she was diagnosed with duct invasive carcinoma. The most common form of breast cancer. They said they caught it early. She has to have surgery to remove surrounding ducts in the tumor site. Then 7 weeks of radiation five times a week. I was just wondering if anyone out there..or a sister,grandma,aunt,mother.........is a breast cancer survivor. I'm just trying to find out how bad it really is. Any information would be greatly appreciated. I can read all about breast cancer online....but its not like knowing someone who has survived it. Thank you smores willby

Im so sorry! What a horrible thing to go through! I cant help you with any info really... My grandma had breast cancer but that was back in the late 30s! So they just went in and stripped her chest of any and all breast tissue along with the muscles under her arms.. But thankfully things have improved greatly since then!! they dont do that kind of damage to people anymore.. But granny doesnt complain, after all she is 96 years old and pretty healthy.. There is a ton of info on the web.. Im sure you will find more info then you will be able to read! Hope things turn out okay.. Amber

Willby, So sorry to hear about your son's girlfriend. My grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer this past summer. i don't know much about it, but it was a shock to our family, she is in her 80's. It was also caught in the first stages and she opted to heve her breast removed rather than go through chemo. A few weeks after surgery she was tested again and the cancer was gone! So for our family it was a very short lived situation. Again, i said I dont know much about it, but I do know there is hope, my grandmother is a breast cancer survivor. We were in our comfort zone of being able to tell the doctor when they ask that there was NO cancer in our family at all, up until now, so we have been very blessed. I will keep your son's girlfriend in my thoughts and prayers.

Hi Willby, I'm sorry to hear about your son's girlfriend. At my Mom's routine mamogram about 20 or so years ago, the doc found a lump. They did a biopsy and he came out and told us, "If I were a betting man, i'd say you have nothing to worry about. I don't think it's cancerous." Well, it's a good thing he isn't a betting man because it was cancerous. My Mom had her breast removed and had radiation and has been cancer free since. Physically, my Mom did great, emotionally, she had a real tough time. I stayed with my parents for a few weeks after the surgery and my Mom had some really tough nights. She would cry a lot, she was afraid she would die and not see her grandchildren. Mom had to drive to Salisbury for her radiation (about an hour away) 5 days a week. My Dad and I worked so she had to make the trip alone. One day, the State Police found my Mom pulled over on the shoulder of the road crying, the stress of the situation was just too much for her. That's when we found the American Cancer Society and their support system. They are WONDERFUL! I highly reccomend them. Their resources and support groups are outstanding. We found out that there are a lot of cancer survivors in the area that drive patients to and from their appointments, check up on them, get together for lunch, etc. They are an amazing group of people. I can't say enough about the American Cancer Society. I will keep you son's girlfriend in my thoughts and prayers. I wish her and your family all the best during this speed bump in the road of life. Take care, Brenda

HI Willby, I can know alot about cancer my father is 13 out of 13 children and there are only 3 left the other 10 have all died from cancer. My brother also died this year from cancer and yes, I carry the cancer gene myself. I can tell you if they catch it in its early stages - it is very treatable and can be put into remission - remember that there is no cure for cancer. She will have to constantly have check ups for it. Plus they need to make dam sure that this cancer has not spread to any where else in her body. If I was her I would ask for a full body PET-Scan. Just to make sure that the cancer is not anywhere else. I am not trying to make you worry I just want you to be aware of the facts. I hope that this helps. I am sorry to hear that she has cancer it is always very heartbreaking for me to hear that someone else has to fight the battle. And you remember to tell her to keep a positive attitude! That makes a huge difference!!! I would recommend that everyone in your family read Lance Armstrong's book. It is amazing and will help you all. Hugs, Monica

hi willby: i have no answers for you re: the questions on cancer, etc... i only have prayers for your son's so, your son, and for you. i hope all turns out well and will be sending prayers and positive thoughts your way hugs dorthe

hi willby, Sorry to hear of you sons girlfriends problem. I have no info but my prayers are with u. try to stay positive she will need some positive feedback in her journey. bye marie

Hi Bridget, I don't think you posted this expecting to hear only rosy stories of successes, so I'll tell you I personally know 5 ladies who've battled breast cancer (probably more than that if I think harder ... cause I worked at a medical clinic for years). Of these 5, 4 are very much still living and well. The 5th, a very close friend and co-worker, was diagnosed with an inflammatory type of breast cancer (no lump ... took several months to diagnose ... only symptom: her arm kept swelling up), which is apparently the most aggressive and worst kind to get. It was pretty much a slam-dunk for the cancer from the get-go, and we lost her only 5 months after her diagnosis. I worked side-by-side with my friend for almost 30 years ... she was a strong, determined mother of three and sucessful professional ... and it was devastating lose her. The other 4 ladies had a struggle to get through surgeries and chemos and radiations (for some of them), and one had to battle it a second time ... but they're all still here, all seem healthy and happy, and they range from about 1 year to 15 or so years post-cancer. The odds are so much better with breast cancer than they used to be ... so take heart. I'm so glad your son's love had an early diagnosis (and a good one in that it's the most common form, therefore the most likely to be cured) ... she's very lucky. She's apparently very lucky too, to have an extended family (yours) who cares so about her. I wish her all success and health ... and will keep her (and your family) in my prayers. ((((hugs to you and them)))) Myra

Thank You Myra! I guess I was just looking for some "real" people who have battled this cancer. Thanks so much! willby

Willby, I am a 4 year survivor of the same breast cancer diagnosis. They also caught mine early. I found it on the first ever mammogram I had at 40 years old. So glad I followed the doctor's orders to get one! If you could tell me a little more, maybe I could help a little more. I really educated myself on breast cancer when I got it (just like I did before weight loss surgery). The doctors really can't tell much until the surgery is done. Then they can determine, true tumor size, where it may have spread, whether or not it is in the lymph nodes. All this really is the key. The only concerning piece of information that you've said so far is that she is only 32 years old. That is young. Young women tend to have more agressive cancers. Here's the stuff I'd like to know after her surgery: 1. What is the size of the tumor? 2. What is the "stage" of the cancer? 3. Does she test positive for the HER/2 gene? 4. Is her tumor estrogen and/or progesterone positive? (it is better if it is because they have better response to tamoxifen.) I am so sorry she has to go through this. I have done well. I had to have 4 lumpectomies and 7 weeks of radiation 5 times a week. I have been on tamoxifen ever since. The tamoxifen did cause my uterus to go bad (became pre-cancerous) so I had to have a complete hysterectomy a year ago. Does this help? Lori 384/274/170