Mum has just had breast cancer diagnosis

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Hello everyone,

I am new here, my family have just found out my mum has breast cancer. We are unsure where the cancer is exactly but she had her MRI today to look for it. She got her diagnosis after a biopsy on a large lump she found however that lump doesnt seem to be the cancer.

She had a lot of information given to her and because of her little understanding of it all i think some bits are jumbled and misunderstood. She told me the following:

* There are three tests and the cancer has responded well to two which include oestrogen?

* There are 4 treatment options but currently waiting for the last test to create her treatment plan?

* she has Grade 2

* She will be on hormone tablets for 5 years?

The news came as a massive shock, she has had 2 mammograms in the past 5 years that have shown nothing so she's worried she has had it for a very long time as it hadn't shown on the mammogram this time either.

Would like some advice on how i could support her and what our family could be doing to support her and my dad. 

  • What a star you are for reaching out for support so soon and to such an experienced group of people.

    it sounds like mum has an oestrogen receptive cancer so you could read up about this.

    im sure that others will be able to contribute too.

    if mum is starting treatment, having everything in the house as organised as possible is good preparation.  Freezer stocked with meals etc.

  • Sorry to hear about your mum. The worse bit for me was the waiting between diagnosis and treatment. She’ll feel physically perfectly normal but her head will be in pieces. Telling my grown up children was really difficult but had to be done. During that pre treatment stage I had a few weekends away, lots of distractions with TV and grandkid visits. Lots of walks too. I’m glad I did get away for those weekends. The surgery and treatment does have a physical impact  ( pain, numbness, swelling etc) so try and enjoy ( if that’s the right word) doing normal family things for the next few weeks. I really didn’t want to talk or think about the treatment in those early pre treatment days - I just wanted to be treated normal. I accept everyone has different coping strategies but mine was to try and pretend it wasn’t happening to me. 
    I hope it goes well. Xx