My sister was diagnosed with breast cancer 18 months ago, she had a masectomy and her lymph nodes removed from one arm,she was told she was in remission in Jan 2012 but since this time she October she has started having pain in her legs and finding it hard to sleep or get comfortable in bed, she also lost her appetite and had not eaten for almost 3 weeks..after losing a lot of weight she finally went to the hospital and had an X-ray. The results came back that she has secondary cancer in her bones actually her ribs. The hospital would not treat her of give her anything because she had been treated in a different hospital for her breast cancer and so sent her home (this was 2nd week of December 2012) An appointment finally came through and she briefly saw a consultant on the 27th December but was told very little and carried out another X-ray. She was given some steroids and sent home, still unable to eat and feeling sick constantly.The hospital have now informed her she has a mass on her liver and a mass on her uterus too as we'll as cancer in her ribs. My sister has an appointment to discuss treatment next week but will not start any form of treatment for another week after that, I feel she has just been sent home and there appears to be no real urgency to treat her. Can anybody please give any advice about what may happen next or if you know anyone who has had the same cancer, I would just like to get an idea of what to expect over the next few weeks/months. Thank you

Hi Teresa

Firstly, try re-posting this in the 'Carers' section of this online community, as that often gets more responses.

Secondly - I'm sorry you and your sister find yourself on this horrible journey none of us wish to be on. By the sounds of things, you are both a little in the dark as to what is happening. Sometimes you really have to get in these doctors faces and demand some information so you can really get yours heads around what is going on. Does your sister have an Oncologist? Access to a Specialist Nurse? This is where I would start and I wouldn't stop until I had answers.

My Mum was diagnosed with primary liver cancer that has since spread to her sacrum, spine and lungs. She has had a course of Radiotherapy and chemo (Sorafenib) which has unfortunately, not worked, so she is no longer receiving treatment. She is on various types of morphine and other drugs for her pain relief along with a multitude of other drugs to manage all her symptoms. So far, she seems to be doing 'ok'...but the situation is ever changing, and as most...she has good days and bad and we have to adapt on a daily basis.

We now fall under our local Hospice/MacMillan nurse (rather than the hospital), who is an absolute god send. If there's anything I need (as Mum's main carer) or anything Mum needs, he deals with it for us, i.e. liases with the GP for pain relief meds etc sorts Mum out with any cushions or other things that might help ease her pain or make her life more comfortable (as sitting down causes her quite a bit of pain because of the secondary tumour in her sacrum)...it might be worth finding out if you/your sister can also have access to a MacMillan nurse/specialist.

It's a bit of a whirl wind, but you must must must ask questions and get to speak to whoever you need to, to get the answers you need. It's difficult for anyone to really know what to expect throughout the process of this awful disease as it affects everyone differently and in a variety of ways...but your sister's medical team should, at the very least, be able to guide you.

I wish you, your sister and your family all the best during this very difficult time.

Jemima x

Hi Teresa, Have a little read of my profile, it sounds very similar to your sisters terrible time. I would be happy to speak to her or yourself if you wish. I was diagnosed with secondary's in my pelvis and spine last April and then further spread to my liver last August. I would be happy to share all the treatments, medical and alternative, I have pursued with you and your sister. Send me a private message if you want to chat and I'll try to help in any way. X

Gosh J-Dils, have just read your profile - your poor thing. As you may have read above, my darling Mum was diagnosed with primary liver cancer which has spread to her pelvis, spine and lungs (that we know about!)...she's been in such excruciating pain as one of the secondaries in her sacrum area has basically been squashing her sciatic nerve :( She had some RT to her sacrum back in Oct last year which did help, but she still needs nearly 500mg of morphine per day just to remain even remotely comfortable.

How have you found your treatment?

Jemima x