Potted history,,,,,,Mum had DCIS c30 years ago with lumpectomy, radiotherapy and Tamoxifen.
January 2023 she was diagnosed with secondary BC (delayed diagnosis due to her not telling anyone and denial of any problems) - ER+, HER2 - with widespread metastatic disease in lungs, pleura, bones, lymph nodes and possibly adrenal glands.
She was immediately started in Letrozole with radiotherapy to treat the open tumour. April 2023 started Denosumab and added Palbociclb in the May. Pretty much stable for 2 or so years with regular scans. Last year started having lower Hb so the one week break in Palbociclib was lengthened to 2 weeks but she still had a few blood transfusions. This year she’s needed a transfusion every month. She’s had a cough for a few weeks, eating is deteriorating slightly and her mobility has worsened considerably the last 2weeks(though she says this is due to twisting when sitting down). Most worryingly I have this week learnt that the wound/tumour has opened up again but again she’s delayed telling anyone this.
We saw her oncologist this week for a routine appt and they are arranging a scan. She is 86.
I don’t really have any specific questions, I’m just struggling to comprehend why she is still in denial, and also obviously worrying about the any new prognosis. I’d be appreciative of any responses from people in similar situations.
Hi Barney D
I live with metastatic breast cancer, TNBC in my case. There’s a bit of me that never wants to make a fuss, accepts that these things progress. I can imagine eventually not wanting intervention. So possibly not denial internally but I can imagine presenting like that to the outside world. Mum is possibly wondering what benefit will come from taking further action to try to slow it down, and at what cost. It must be really difficult to watch but mum needs to have autonomy.
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I have metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer, in remission
