I am new to this site and have read some of the posts and found the support people give each other amazing.
My mother-in-law had breast cancer 2 and a half years ago and she had a mastectomy, lots of lymph nodes removed and then a strong course of chemo (CMF and epirubicin) and 6 weeks of radiotherapy. After each chemo session she suffered neutropenic sepsis (and was hospitalised) which was worse each time and in fact almost killed her the last time resulting in the last chemo session being withdrawn.
About 6 weeks ago she found a lump in her neck and was examined and had a CT scan which showed she has in fact got 2 tumours in her neck, 1 in the area of her mastectomy, 1 on her lung and a several in the bones at the top of her back/shoulder area.
We were told that she couldn’t have invasive chemo and was to have capecitabine which is a tablet because of how her body had reacted last time.
Then we found out that her creatinine clearance was only just about high enough for a 50% doseage of capecitabine. However at the same time we were also told that her platelets in her blood were only 44 and to have any form of chemo the level must be at least 100-150.
2 days ago we were told that there is nothing that can be done to help her and we are all stunned to think that this is it. Surely there must be something else?
My mother-in-law doesn’t know the full extent and has asked very few questions, but we are all extremely upset and are desperate to find out if there is anyone in a similar situation both for support and also for any avenues we can possibly explore.
Many thanks to anyone who takes the time to read this
Debi x
Hello Debi,
I feel for you and more so for your mother-in-law at this difficult time.
I`m sure you will find emotional support from others on the forum as this type of recurrence is our worst nightmare on this journey.
You will both be in my thoughts.
hugs and hope
Margaret
Thank you so much for that Margaret.
Its so sad that there are so many people suffering with it
Love to you too
Deb x
Hi Deb,
A big hug for you and your family, this must be hell for you.
This is just a suggestion, my daughter was diagnosed with cancer a couple of years ago and her platelets were low a couple of times. She received an infusion of platelets which only took a few minutes to get her levels up. Is this a possibility for your mother-in-law?
Is there anyway you can get a second opinion? don’t give up.
Really hoping that things improve for you and your mother-in-law.
Take care
veggie
Hi debi
This is such a difficult situation and our thoughts and hopes are with you and your family. I can see that you have received valuable support and information from your fellow forum members and know that you will continue to do so.
I am sure this feels a lot for you and your family to take on board at the moment and you will be feeling shocked and confused. You may find that the support you are getting here enables you to think through this difficult situation. If you feel that you need more support there are other sources of help. You could call our helpline – often, talking through your feelings can be a help to clarify things or you may prefer to contact a MacMillan nurse
You can contact MacMillan Cancer care on 0808 808 2020, our Breast Cancer Care helpline is on 0808 800 6000. The helpline is open today 9am to 2pm and then again Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
I hope this is of some help to you.
Kind regards
Sam (BCC Facilitator)
Hi Debi
Sorry I can’t help you or your Mother in Law with any answers but, as suggested above, can you get a second opinion from the Marsden or another centre of excellence? Thinking of you and hope you can find a treatment that works.
Nicky x
Thank you all for your comments, I have been looking at the Marsden and we are going to consider trying that route and we are also going to speak to Macmillan for support. Just feel so desperate
Love Debi xx