Hi everyone, hope you're all doing well.
On the 19th of April after weeks of tests my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer that has spread to both of her lungs. It started with her having pains in the middle of her chest in February so she was given an Xray which showed multiple shadows on both lungs. As she has previously had breast cancer before in 2011 the GP rang her and said it could be a primary lung cancer or recurring breast cancer that had spread.
She was referred to the breast clinic where she had a mammogram and ultrasound which were clear so she was discharged from there, then she had a CT scan and was told that she needed a bronchoscopy. She had that and they took biopsies so then we went for her results last week at the respiratory department. The consultant there asked a few questions regarding symptoms, weight, appetite etc and my mum has no symptoms (she hasn't even had the chest pain since just after the xray) her appetite and weight are the same as usual. Then he told us that unfortunately the biopsy showed breast cancer cells in the lungs. She's got 2 masses in her right lung, upper and lower and one in her upper left lung.
We've got to wait again now until the 3rd of May for an appointment at the breast cancer clinic where they'll sort out a treatment plan and go through everything properly.
I suppose what I'm asking is what can we expect to happen now? I'm guessing my mum's cancer is at stage 4? I'm also worried about how much worse it could have gotten since the original xray because that was 11 weeks ago so by the time we go to her next appointment it'll be 12 weeks from when they first found the shadows. I''m so scared that it's spread even further and they'll tell us there's nothing they can do.
Anyway, I'll leave it there for now. Thank you for reading.
Hi Starlight02 and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.
I'm sorry to read that your mum has recently discovered that her breast cancer has spread to her lungs and it's natural that you have lots of questions.
As you know, the online community is divided up into different support groups so I hope you don't mind me suggesting that you also join and post in the secondary breast cancer group as this will give you the chance to direct your questions to others who have the same type of cancer as your mum.
I think you might also find it helpful to join either the carers only group, if you are your mum's carer, or the family and friends group, if you're not. Either of these groups are great places to share your emotion and get support from others who have a loved one living with cancer.
To join any of these groups just click on the links I've created and then join the group and start a new post in the same way as you did here. You can also join in with existing conversations by clicking on 'reply'.
It would be great if you could pop something about your mum's diagnosis and treatment into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.
If you have any difficulty navigating the community just drop me a reply and I'll be pleased to help
x
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
Hello Starlight
I'm so sorry about your mum. I'm sure you will get the advice you need soon. The people on here are all lovely and so helpful and supportive.
I can't even begin to imagine how your mum must be feeling, as well as you & the rest of your family. My heart goes out to you all.
Sending you all so much love and healing thoughts XXX
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