[Traci]

I never thought I'd have anything to write about in this Relationship/Family forum. I used to feel lucky and thankful to be "giving" advice instead of "needing" it.

This morning my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had her mammogram and the doctor happened to be there this morning so they did a needle biopsy and they knew right away that it was cancer. It has been sent out to find what stage and type. She has to go to the surgeon on March 4th and they will proceed from there.

My heart feels so heavy right now I can barely breathe. I love my mother so much and I do not know how I would ever survive without her. She has taken care of me and my sister on her own ever since my father left us when I was 8. She does so much for me and my children.

I can't stop crying and I feel sick to my stomach and I don't know how I feel or what to think. My mind has never been in this kind of a position before and I just don't know what to do. I kind of want to go into my bed and not come out.

Please, please, please pray for my mother.

[merika]

{{HUGS}} I'm praying for your mom, and you are in my thoughts.

PM if you'd like to talk.

[ladyjane76]

traci,
Im so sorry for your news, first things first, you have to stay positive for her and you! She has already proved to be a strong woman for taking care of her kids when her husband walked out she will get through this, as you will. Everyone on the TPF is here for you so keep positive, my prayers and thoughts are with you and your mother right now!

[purseinsanity]

I'm so sorry. Please keep in mind many women are now survivors of breast cancer, especially if it's caught early. This by no means is a death sentence. Be strong for your mother..she needs you more than ever. And we're all here for you if you need us! My prayers are with her.

[cbetht]

Think positive thoughts. I know a few people that have survived breast cancer. Please PM me if you need to talk. I'm a cancer survivor as well. I had a different type of cancer but would be more than happy to try to help in any way that I can. Hang in there. I am praying for you, your mother and your family.

[ChenChen]

I'm so sorry to hear about this! {{{HUGS}}} to you and your family, and I'm keeping you in my thoughts.

[jenniletv]

I am truly sorry for this news. I know what it is like. I have been there. My mom was diagnosed when she was 35, I was 10. At that age I really did not understand everything that was going on. She went in and out of remission, had a mastectomy and then the cancer spread - everywhere. She passed away in 2000 at the young age of 49 after battling it for 14 years. I was completely devastated. I still think about her all the time and wish she was here. My heart breaks to hear your mom's news. I will be praying for her and a quick recovery. And hopefully once initially treated it will not come back. Please pm if you would like to talk further. Always remember that we are here for you.

[Charlie]

I am sorry to hear your mom is going through this Traci. I'll keep her and your family in my prayers. Hugs!

[Traci]

Thank you all for your kind thoughts and prayers. It means so much to me. I am still just in shock I think.

[Traci]

Originally Posted by jenniletv

I am truly sorry for this news. I know what it is like. I have been there. My mom was diagnosed when she was 35, I was 10. At that age I really did not understand everything that was going on. She went in and out of remission, had a mastectomy and then the cancer spread - everywhere. She passed away in 2000 at the young age of 49 after battling it for 14 years. I was completely devastated. I still think about her all the time and wish she was here. My heart breaks to hear your mom's news. I will be praying for her and a quick recovery. And hopefully once initially treated it will not come back. Please pm if you would like to talk further. Always remember that we are here for you.

I am so sorry for you. Thank you for sharing this with me.

[wordpast]

sorry to hear this. I will keep your mother in my prayers.

[purplekitty]

I am so sorry, Traci. Many hugs to you. I will pray for you and your mom.

[dlovely51]

Sorry to hear this. Will pray for a speedy and uncomplicated recovery.

[caxe]

I am so sorry to hear that. You and your mother will be in my prayers!

[gillianna]

I am so sorry to hear what you and your mom are going through and will have to deal with in the future but please know that it is not the end of the world and keep positive.
My best friend who is really my second Mom has had breast cancer twice. First a lumpductomy on one breast second time two brasts removed and implants done. She has had many mistakes made in her journey with doctors. She was told there was nothing left to do....go home....blah blah.
She was put at stage four..... Well she might be considered stage 4 (we never really get a explaination on this one) but all her tests are considered she is cancer free.... YEAH.....

I have researched everything for her in the last few years....every test result-every word that we did not understand.

I also recommend buying the book by Dr. Susan Love. I think it is called the Breast Book. It is a excellent book.

The only advice I would like to share is my "Mom" never gave in to being sick. She just did not play in to the "I have cancer thing". She kept the most positive attitude a person could ever have. Yes it was hard and we were scared but it worked for her. She would go to chemo with stories to make others laugh and joked about her breasts and being finally able to have perky breasts at a older age and maybe she can get another man.....
Laugh because men have hit on her so many times and we say it is the boobs.....She also kept it quiet at work when anything was going on. She learned from the first time one does not need to hear "How are you 100 times a day". Her oncologist told her the worst thing she could do is tell people about her illness at work because they would talk about her if she looked off one day they would think she was sick. So she took her advice and now never says anything. A lot of people didn't even know she had cancer let alone breasts removed and implants put in.
She had very aggressive cancer and it spread fast and she also had a lot of nodes removed with the surgeries but is doing great.

So with my ramblings I wanted to say don't give up, never stop fighting and buy that book for both you and your mother and second opinions are good to have.

Another thing I want to add is that I had a lump on my breast and was told it was cancer by my surgeon when he read my mammogram and he fought with me and said I had it for a long time. Not-I just found the lump and it literally grew very quick between getting the doctors approval for tests and seeing the surgeon and oncologist. They did a biopsy and it turned out to be a very rare tumor that only 50 women per year get in the US. It was NOT maligment and even though it was cancer I was operated on and had the lump removed and no other treatment was needed and it will never bother me again. So what a person may read in to a mammogram and what is really there can be two different things.

HUGS.