Scared.
I've been sitting on this news for a while, waiting for a few more details, waiting to get back from vacation.
Well, we're back, and I have a few more details.
Last week, Mom called to tell me that Aunt Debbie was diagnosed with breast cancer. We knew the biopsy showed it in both her breast tissue and in the lymph node, but we weren't sure how far it had spread. Originally, she was told lumpectemy, then radiation and chemo. Today, she met with the surgeon for more details.
It's stage 3. She got an MRI today, but she needs a bone scan still to make sure it hasn't spread even further than expected. Treatment is either chemo first to shrink the tumour, and then surgery and more radiation/chemo, or surgery and then the radiation/chemo combination. And lumpectemy is off the table; she needs a radical mastectemy.
Deb is 44 - 11 years younger than Mom, and only 10 years older than me. She's really close to both her sisters, Mary in particular, since they are only 16 months apart. She's still pre-menopausal, which is contributing to the aggressiveness of the tumour.
I've often laughed about my "stupid-close" family. But now I don't care what I have to do - I just want her to be okay.
Well, we're back, and I have a few more details.
Last week, Mom called to tell me that Aunt Debbie was diagnosed with breast cancer. We knew the biopsy showed it in both her breast tissue and in the lymph node, but we weren't sure how far it had spread. Originally, she was told lumpectemy, then radiation and chemo. Today, she met with the surgeon for more details.
It's stage 3. She got an MRI today, but she needs a bone scan still to make sure it hasn't spread even further than expected. Treatment is either chemo first to shrink the tumour, and then surgery and more radiation/chemo, or surgery and then the radiation/chemo combination. And lumpectemy is off the table; she needs a radical mastectemy.
Deb is 44 - 11 years younger than Mom, and only 10 years older than me. She's really close to both her sisters, Mary in particular, since they are only 16 months apart. She's still pre-menopausal, which is contributing to the aggressiveness of the tumour.
I've often laughed about my "stupid-close" family. But now I don't care what I have to do - I just want her to be okay.
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I hope the MRI and bone scan give you all some more positive news.
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*hugs you tight*
Just so you know, I have a friend who had breast cancer that had gone to her lymph nodes too. She had radical surgery and chemo and radiation. She was in her 40s too. And she survived. I know each case is different but a tale of survival is what you need right now.
*hugs you again*
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But I'm a little insane like that.
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Sending positive thoughts your way.
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*** Hugs a lot ***
Good luck to you all.