Overwhelmed and scared

[Loki19]

My mum was admitted to hospital recently with a pain in her stomach, following an X-ray and CT they discovered a twisted intestine which was also inflamed anyway that was sorted out and once again mum was fine. The scary bit is the X-ray and CT showed a mass in her lung, some suspicion with her spine and unusual lymph nodes??! Mums had a MRI on her spine and has a lesion which is not yet impacting her spine so the doctors aren’t overly concerned at present. She has a 4cm lump? On her upper right lung which they are having a biopsy on next Thursday. Mum had breast cancer nearly 10 years ago, so the doctors aren’t sure at this stage if it’s breast cancer, primary lung cancer which I’m assuming has spread to bones or something else? It’s quite overwhelming trying to take this all in as since mums hospital admission she’s back to her normal self with no unusual aches or pains (mum has rheumatoid arthritis which is well controlled). Just wondering if anyone has any advice/opinions on what we can expect.

[PegD]

Hi Sassy, I’m sorry to hear about your mum. This time of waiting for answers is difficult but I’m glad you are reaching out for support. First and foremost, ask for genomic sequencing testing to be done on the tumor biopsy sample. Getting these results is very important as they can better define her treatment options no matter if it’s lung cancer or a recurrence of breast cancer. A second opinion is also advisable to better understand all options. There will be many more steps to come but in my opinion, these two are the most immediate.

I know this is scary but try and take in the information as it comes. Be gentle with yourself and gentle with each other, worrying doesn’t change a thing. Please continue to reach out. This forum has some awesome and knowledgeable advocates and survivors willing to help.

Wishing you all the best.

[anrean]

Welcome Sassy19. You will find a lot of good information here. Peg is right that it is important to know whether the possible lung cancer is a metastasis from previous breast cancer or a new cancer of its own - that will help the oncologist figure out which treatment(s) are best.

I've had 5 primary cancers, and didn't feel much different from the time they found them, so it isn't unusual that your mum is back to being her normal self. She has been through a lot, but people are very resiliant and can bounce back nicely, even though there is a lot going on internally. This is especially true with the lungs because, other than shortness of breath, there are often very few symptoms and most lung cancers are caught while looking for something else.

The biopsy isn't bad - in fact it is usually quite easy. The doc will probably give her anesthesia to knock her out, and then take as many samples as possible or necessary. Then there will be a waiting period until they get the results back and start developing a plan of action. For many of us that has meant surgery to remove the legion, chemo and radiation - in varying forms of order depending on what she needs most.

The great news is that chemo is so very different from a few years ago and isn't always as hard on the body as it used to be. Chemo can also target more than one spot at a time. You are going to be very tempted to do a lot of research - go ahead and do it, but just be cautioned that things are changing very fast and published research has not been able to keep up with all the changes. Get the information, but don't pay attention to all the statistics - they aren't always kind, and there are a lot of us living many, many years beyond what even our doctors predicted. For example, my "time limit" came and went last month, and I'm doing okay.

The biggest recommendation I can make is to have an oncologist you trust and who listens and answers all of your questions until you understand them. Don't be afraid to get a 2nd or even 3rd opinion. If the original doctor doesn't like this, then you might want to seriously think about a different doctor completely...the more brains looking at what is going on, the better you will know what is happening.

The hardest part of all of this is the waiting. We want answers NOW, but the doctors need time to get the right information and plan the treatment.

Keep us informed as things happen - we do care!!

[Loki19]

Thank you for your help and support it really means so much ❤️

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

So very sorry fo the need that drives you here. The hurry up and wait process of getting a diagnosis will age you. I can only echo what the other two have said. They’re both pretty well versed on this process.

I send hope that they find a targetable mutation which will enable her to use a pill rather than chemotherapy. Please know though that the last 10 years have seen many advances in treatment for the diseases and in managing side effects of treatment.

If the cancer is well differentiated (meaning recent and still resembles the tissue where it was formed) they should know in about 72 hours if it’s breast or lung. If poorly differentiated I’ve been told it can take as long as a week. Then allow a bit more time for the genomic testing.