My mum is 72 and weighs 38 kilos (just touching 6 stone) she has recently been diagnosed with hormone receptor breast cancer in left breast which they have started her on letrozole for . We went back this week for a biopsy to be taken of the right breast as someting has shown up there too but they was unable to biopsy due to my mum being so thin. We have an appointment coming up on 3rd March to discuss this . We are also awaiting an appointment for colonoscopy to try and find out what she weighs so lotto . My mum has just informed me she has found another lump in the breast they have confirmed the breast cancer in question is should I wait for the appointment on 3rd March or call th tomorow . Not sure what’s normal and what’s not . She’s had mammograms ultrasound sound ct scan and bloods Done and also a biopsy on left breast confirming the cancer
Sorry to hear about your mum and her diagnosis. It must be very difficult to be an onlooker at her diagnosis and treatment. Breast cancer is a very diverse disease. So every treatment has to be tailored to the individual patient.
I hate the word patient as I am very impatient. I want to know EVERYTHING, some people want to know nothing.
Thin is unusual for anyone these days so it could be the result of cancer but it could also be your mum’s usual state. It should make it easier to diagnose early as a lump or lumps will be more visible.
I am now 70 and a half and have had breast cancer twice, once at 47 and then at 67 both times in my left breast. It is hard standing outside and seeing someone you love suffering without feeling helpless.
I had a friend who died during lockdown after getting ovarian cancer. It was awful and I do not think I will ever think about her without feeling grief. She lived in New Zealand so I communicated by Facebook and video message.
I still feel sad when I think of her but I did a step challenge for an ovarian cancer charity and raised a few hundred quid for research.
I feel for you because it is so hard to be an onlooker to someone’s distress and pain.
Seagulls
Thanks seagulls for your response I am like you want to know everything and want to know now haha I know that isn’t possible and I never thought I would say this given the state there in but I cannot thank the nhs enough how quickly They are doing things for my mum . She had an endoscopy last week but unfortunatly wasn’t very successful as she tried To pull the scope out so they had to abonden the procedure she is now booked in for a 2nd one on 11th March and they have said it wouldn’t be on my mums best interests to do a colonoscopy so they are booking her for a cvct scan for that so hopefully we have answers about her weight low iron and low vitamin d soon and we will continue visiting the breast clinic also . My sister lives in New Zealand and although I have my partner I actually feel quite alone in all this I’m upset for mum but have to be strong for her cancer really does suck
What a coincidence - a New Zealand connection. My friend lived at Hastings and worked part-time in the library there after retirement. She had also had breast cancer in her 40s but that did not recur.
I find cancer a baffling disease - you haven’t caused it, you can’t cure it and you can’t control it. It is hard for onlookers.
Seagulls