General Chat

My half sister in USA has cancer of the breast. At one point they thought she could have radiation treatment, that should have started this last week but they have now found after having another mammogram, its not run of the mill (as she calls it) after all. They did'nt get it all in an op they did some weeks ago, the docs are now recommending a mastectomy. She's having cancer gene testing tomorrow to see whats what, SO ITS FINGERS tightly crossed for her tomorrow. If she tests positive it could mean a double mastectomy. Her daughter will have to be tested too.
As well as worrying about all this she has recently started a new job in teaching and has 2 autistic boys to look after.
l met her again for the first time in 30yrs in 2007 when we visited her and my half brother(he's in special home after having a brain tumour in 1995) in Colorado. We've been in contact via email for about 5 yrs
Positive thoughts please!!

jude x

What alot of worry in one family.

My positive thoughts to them all that there will be a succesful outcome to the treatment.

Gwyn

Sending you and them my thoughts Jude, so much worry for you all.

xxx

Jude sending positive thoughts to them, x

Jude sorry to hear this about your family what worry for you all ,sending postibve thoughts to all,and to you and your family as well
Dutchx

Thank you everyone:o)

It is alot for one family to cope with is'nt it, just wish l could help.
l don't even know what to say in a return email,l got the news yesterday! l have tried to phone her during the past couple of months but she does'nt like talking on the phone!! She has a difficult mother to contend with too!!!

Thank you again:o)

jude

Jude so sorry to read this, I am thinking of your sister and her family, you also, as it must be difficult being so far away.

Caz xx

Oh Jude ,I'm sorry to hear this.What a difficult time.On a positive note I have a couple of friends who have had a mastectomy and one a double ,and they are all doing fine.I hope it works out fine for your sister.(I know she is half sister ) but is your sister.
Jane xx

Thanks Jane & Caz....oh yes she is still my sister:o))

jude x

I also am recovering from Breast Cancer, but I had a lumpsectomy, chemo and radiotherapy. The doctor said that the chemo works like a sponge and mops up any cancer cells because when the tumours are removed they are pink in colour and hard to detect if any cells have seeped out. I am sure that the cells would have only seeped into the breast tissues and therefore I would certainly of had my breast off if this had happened. Know a lot of people with one or no breasts. They are very happy, mainly because they didn't have to go through chemo, which was really harsh for me but I have come through it and doing very well as are all the other people I have met who had breast cancer.
Personally, if I had had the option, I would have had my breast off! But I don't work so have plenty of time to recover from the chemo. A friend of mine told the doctor to take her breast off instead of performing a lumpsectomy as she wanted to get back to work fast, and after 14 days of radiotherapy she went straight back to work and has a new steady boyfriend. So think positive.
Wishing your sister all the best for a speedy recovery.
Cilla

Jude, as you know I have now only one breast, and had mine removed 8yrs ago. Still get checked once a year for the other one. I hope your sister is as lucky as me. I would have had a reconstruction at the time, but was not fit enough for a long operation. You soon forget you are wearing a falsie.

Hello Jean, aw bless you, yes l know and you have been through alot, if she is as positive as you she'll cope with what ever is thrown at her!!

Cilla...l think she would prefer the op instead of the radiotheropy as well, she was going to have 4 sessions per week for 5 weeks, go to work and look after the boys.
Thank you both for your thoughts:o)
l am about to email her back, l've left it till now!!

jude x

Have emailed sister and got reply back already!!
She says she'll probably have the one breast removed end of May, if the results are positive then both removed. She had lumpectomy and biopsy a few months ago. She'd rather have both done anyways because her insurance cover is good at present, nothing cheap in USA re health, and doubts she'll get this offer again, sounds awful does'nt it but she can't afford it otherwise!!
Fingers still crossed!!

jude x

Sending positive thoughts to you all.
Love to you all at this trying time Pauline

Sending positive thoughts to your half sister, and all the family.

Hope it's not too bad news.

Hope things work out ok for your half sister Jude, what a worry for her and her family, and you too of course. It must be difficult for her to explain to her autistic lads about her surgery etc, depending on how much they can understand and help her. I often think stress can bring on cancer and she certainly sounds as tho she has had a fair bit of it in her life. All positive thoughts for her good recovery.

Forgive me for saying, but does this mean you need a test too, altho you are half sisters it depends where the gene came from obviously but with her daughter having to be tested I wondered if it went as far as advising you to be tested too.

LIzx

Hi Jude


thinking positive thoughts for your half-sister
xxxxxx


I'm another survivor

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1995 ........ over a period of 6 weeks I was diagnosed, had a lumpectomy, followed 2 weeks later by a mastectomy because they hadn't got it all.

Fortunately for me, it had not spread, there was no sign of it in the lymph nodes, and I had no further treatment, although I have to go for a mammogram every year. I made a conscious decision not to have reconstruction or implant, so I have a falsie ......... which my insurance in Canada will pay for (not sure about the US!).



If you can give your sister a tip, tell her to buy a travel pillow, then to use it under her arm, between her arm and body or wherever it feels most comfortable .......... it will be a godsend to her when trying to get comfortable, especially in bed. They are easily available in bed and bath shops in the US, and cost only a few dollars (I usually buy a couple when we go down there!) ...... softer is better than firmer because you can scrunch it into shape to help provide protection and support. Most of the stores also sell pillow cases for them.




sylvia
xxxx

Hi Jude


thinking positive thoughts for your half-sister and all of her families too
xxxxxx

Hoping all goes as well as it can

Linda :o) XxX

Morning everyone.......thank you so much for your positive thoughts:o)

Sylvia..l will tell about the travel cushion, what a good idea:o) So pleased you don't have any further probs.

Purple....as far as l know the genes are from her mother's side of the family (we have same father), her mum had simular operations etc. BUT thank you for saying about it!!

She's very upfront and open about it, fortunately!! so in away its easier to talk about it, my problem is l want to be able to DO SOMETHING!! She does'nt like using the phone so l can't talk to her. But l think l will try again once she has the results and not tell her l'm phoning!!!!

The boys are hard work sometimes, but lovely with it. Not sure how much they would understand, probably enough to try to help mum in some ways!!
Thanks LInda....hope you and your parents are ok.

Love jude xx

Jude, my thoughts and prayers are with your sister and her family.... and that includes you... she will be comforted knowing that you are rooting for her, I know.

Love and (((((hugs)))))

Daff xxxx