Hi Everyone,
My Mother in Law is 82 and suffers from Alzheimers disease. Following a 2 month period whereby she totally lost her appetite and lost a stone in weight (bringing her down to just over 7 stone), her GP found what she thought was a lump in her left breast. Last Tuesday, a visit to Breast Clinic and mammogram showed 5cm spiculated mass in left breast - had ultrasound the same day and they looked at nodes under her arm as well. Consultant then examined her and said that the lump was “deep set” and that they GP had done well to find it. He also told me that he was pretty certain that it was breast cancer. We had to go back today for a core biopsy. We now have to wait until 20th July for results. Is this time span “normal”? Bless her, she does get extremely confused with her Alzheimers, but now she has heard the word “cancer” and she, like anyone else, just wants to know what is happening. It feels so unfair - she has really struggled with the Alzheimers diagnosis, and now this!
What can I expect when we go for the results? Will they be able to tell us just how bad it is at the next visit? (I should have said that when the consultant said he thought it was cancer we were dealing with, he also said he didnt think he would be considering surgery because of her current status).
Your thoughts on time and what else to expect would be most appreciated.
Tricia
Hi Tricia
Sorry about your mother in law and hope things can be sorted for her.
If it helps, I was given core biopsy (7 samples taken) and had the results a week later (apparently, the histology takes a week in the lab), so I’d have thought they’d get back to you sooner than 20th if treatment is required. My gran’s sister had BC at 83 and no treatment was given as it was felt that it would not ‘grow’ quickly enough (due to her age) to warrant treatment although, of course, there are lots of different types of BC, so I’m beginning to learn.
I know you’ll have lots of replies and support from lots of lovely people on here. This is certainly the best place to come when affected by this damn BC!
Good luck. Lots of love. Cathy
Sorry to hear about your mother in law Tricia, and that is shocking that you have to wait so long for the results. Not that it helps but here in North Wales I had needle biopsies done and got the results the same day,they were inconclusive but the core biopsy I had done at the same time I had the results 48 hours later, not with the result that I had hoped but at least I didn’t have to hang about waiting for too long. Here, they also do the herceptin test on the original core biopsy so ten days after my op I had the full results of my tumour and status, I know some people have to wait months for these results, you would think that there would be some consistency across the country re waiting times for these results.
Good luck and keep chatting,there is a wealth of info and support on these forums.
Sandra x
Hi Everyone,
Its been a long time coming, but at last we will have the results of the core biopsy tomorrow. Its been more worying for us than my MIL - her Alzheimers means she doesnt really “get” the concern over her breast which is good news for her. We have a holiday booked for the end of this week, so we are hoping for good news. If, as we expect, the news is not so good, then we are still going as we think there will be plenty of stress to come in the coming weeks.
Being as the consultant said at the first appt that he thought he would not be doing surgery, if they provide drugs woudl she start them immediately do you think? We are concerned as adding anything into her daily routine (especially if the drugs could have side effects) can really throw her off tilt with her alzheimers and we would really need to be here when she started taking them. i am rambling I know, but stressed!!!
Regards to you all,
Tricia
Hi Tricia,
Wishing lots of luck for you all tomorrow. At least this time tomorrow you’ll know exactly what is in front of you. If the news is bad the doctor will outline his main sugestion for treatment, this will be based on all your mother in law’s results which will take into consideration her age and general health status. There are quite a few different types of breast cancer which all have different treatments. These treatments also vary with age. I would advise you take along a pad to jot everything down, It can get quite confusing sometimes and if you have any questions you think you may want answered, have them to hand on the pad…
I hope all goes well, and will be thinking of you tomorrow, please let us know how you get on.
Best wishes
Fiona X
Hi Everyone,
Sorry it has taken me a while to update you all but its been a busy few weeks, and in the middle of everything we had a holiday booked which we decided to take and get some much needed r & r!!!
Unfortunately my MIL does have breast cancer and it is hormone positive. The Dr has started her on tamoxifen and has told us he will not be removing the lump or carrying out any aggressive treatments. He arranged for a CT scan of her head, chest and abdomen which was carried out last Wednesday and we now await results of that on 25th August. He arranged the ct scan to see if there was any spread of the disease as she has lost so much weight and has no appetite. Eating is still a big issue, and she looks thinner than ever. However, she does have Alzheimers disease and her eating has been an issue over the past 2 years or so - reason for Dr concern now is the weight loss which was 1 stone in about 2 months I think.
I would now appreciate it if you could help me with what questions I should ask at the next appt on 25th August. The Dr offered no comment on staging at all at the last appt, just said breast cancer,start tamoxifen, have appt for ct scan and see you in just over a month. YOur help with what I should be asking would be greatly appreciated.
Kind regards and best wishes to you all,
Tricia