Another Cancer Victim

[JadedLegend3]

My mother's sister just found out today that she has breast cancer....bad. She meets on Thursday with the surgeon, and has surgery next Wednesday. As of right now, the docs don't think they can just remove the lump. They think they'll have to take the breast and some lymphnodes.

My mother is really upset. Generally I don't get along with the women on that side of my family, but still. Desperate times and all that. So, if you guys could send good thoughts and prayers out to PA, I'd appreciate it. :)

Thanks so much.

[grinner]

sheesh... what is it with Cancer this year. This makes 12 people that I know of/heard mention of that got/has/died from the Big C this year.

[Johnsgirl727]

:hug: Thoughts and prayers. Cancer is a frightening beast. I've had several family members die from cancer. Please keep us posted.

[Darth Buddha]

Fingers crossed... I hope they can get it all.

[I-am-so-Johns-girl]

Sending good vibes to you and your family. :hug2:

[Kurt_eh]

I sorry to hear that Jacqui. Best wishes...

[mfa96]

Hope everything turns out all right.

[who45]

So very sorry. Cancer is hard for the loved one that has it, and on the family also.I know for a fact it's not easy for either. I will be keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers. :hug:

[JadedLegend3]

Thanks guys. :)

Things are always tense between everyone on that side of the family, so now they'll be just a bit more tense. I'm going to try to be on my best behavior. :)

I'll keep you all posted. Probably won't know anything new until Thursday.

Thanks again!

[Darth Buddha]

Some members of my family dropped the ball by not putting aside old grievances soon enough. They were given many an opportunity, and they would have been welcomed. When they got there, it was too late to really talk to my dad. Their regret was sizable.

If you can, make clear that this illness takes precedence over any bad blood. Regardless of outcome, you won't regret that priority after the fact.

[trubador]

(frell... double frell) Lotsa :hug: & :angelgrin Jacqui!!!

[scrape_medic]

Wise words DB......and remember that breast cancer is not always a death sentence....always hold that in mind before you break out into a blind panic....

Hoping for the best.....:hug:

[scaperbuddy]

Best wishes and my prayers for you and your family. I know what you are going through my Dad had colon cancer. Make sure you ask lots of questions and stay well informed of everything. Cancer is not a death sentence. I know alot of people who have beat it.

Time to put aside all differences for your aunt's sake at least in front of her and show a positive united front. Her and those around her having a positive outlook helps alot.
I'm not saying it will be easy but it's proven that trying to be positive helps in the healing process.

[janey_13]

My thoughts, prayers, and good vibes to you and your family Jacqui! :hugz:

[BrowderChick]

:hug: :cry2:

[AyuRocks]

I hope everything works out all right. :hug:

[AnnieBW]

Well, even if she has to have a mastectomy, the survival rate for breast cancer is getting better all the time. My mom just hit her 5-year anniversary, and my co-worker just had her second. Mom had a lumpectomy, but my co-worker had the whole breast removed. Once she got an implant, she got a tattoo over the scar for her first anniversary.

Good luck, and Goddess bless!

[faustus]

I hate Cancer I've lost my mate and an aunt to that crappy little......

[mgraylorn]

We'll be thinking of her and of you. I agree with what others have said, its time to put away petty family squabbles and pull together. I have a dear friend who lost her mother 10 years ago to breast cancer. In that case, it wasn't discovered until it had spread to other organs. I have a friend right now who had a lumpectomy and will have chemo soon.

It is one of the more curable cancers, if it is detected early enough. Women all need to have regular mamograms, as recommended by their doctors.

[BaseLine]

Horrible disease. I hope everything turns out alright.

[trinamick]

Hope things turn out for the best. We're all pulling for your family! :hug:

[Clarsax]

:hug: Thoughts and prayers. I hope everything turns out alright. :hug:

[vikingscaper]

I really, really despise cancer. I hope that everything turns out alright. :hug:

[Judith]

Thinking of you Jacqui. Give us updates when you can.

Edited to add -- I'm almost finished with the move and should have my computer hooked up today (am at school now). Like you said to me...you know where to find me if you need to talk.

[JadedLegend3]

Frelling lawyers.

So the ladies at my aunt's work decided they wanted to get together and give all their sick days to her (she had missed 6 weeks of work for a back injury). Their bosses and everyone said it was fine. Then the lawyers came back and said no.

She meets with the surgeon tomorrow.

[Mike0812]

Sorry to hear about that JL3 :(. I hope everything turns out ok for her.

[JadedLegend3]

My aunt's surgery is tomorrow at some point.

Please pray for my family. It seems that my grandparents not only have a daughter with a horrible disease, but they may also have lost their home in Frances.

Thanks for everything guys.

[Darth Buddha]

Best wishes for you and yours.

Fingers crossed, JL3...

[AyuRocks]

My thoughts are with your family, hun. I hope everything works out for the best.

[I-am-so-Johns-girl]

You and your family are in my thought and prayers. :hug2:

[Kurt_eh]

Best wishes Jacqui.

Hope you have something good for your birthday! :hug:

[JadedLegend3]

Thanks everyone so much!

Her surgery is today at noon (EST :) ). The docs say it will take prolly 2.5 hours. My aunt opted for the lumpectomy...which also removes some lymphnodes. The doc told her they could either do that or take the breast...that the outcome as far as the cancer is concerned would be the same.

I've got to work in the morning and then I'm going to the hospital to wait it out with the rest of the fam.

Still no word on my gps' place in Florida.

Thanks again guys! :hug:

[trubador]

:hug:

[JadedLegend3]

Well scapers, looked like all the good vibes and prayers worked out.

They took the lump and three lymphnodes...and all three lymphnodes tested negative for cancer in the preliminary tests. :) The doc sounded really optimistic.

She will still have to do radiation and chemo, but it looks good.

Thanks guys!

[Kurt_eh]

:woohoo:

[Darth Buddha]

Good news indeed.

[who45]

That's is great news!

[vikingscaper]

I'm glad that everything worked out alright!

:woohoo:

[mfa96]

great news! :aok:

[trubador]

:sweaty:

[I-am-so-Johns-girl]

Wonderful news! :hugz:

[JadedLegend3]

Well...the preliminary results were wrong.

Two out of three of the lymphnodes are cancerous. The doc said that form of cancer is VERY aggresive. She was glad they took the lump when they did, but she's scheduled more appointments for my aunt in the next few weeks with various cancer docs.

She will most likely have 6 weeks of radiation and then 6 weeks of chemo. Possibly more surgery. We don't know at this point.

[BrowderChick]

:hug: Sending more vibes. I know how this all feels... :cry2:

[trubador]

:hug:

[Col.Batguano]

JL3 - ever heard of Anti-Angiogenesis Inhibitors?
they are an up and coming form of cancer treatment that goes after blood vessel growth to cancer cells.
most of them are still in clinical trials but are gaining approval even by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and a few have been approved

my dad is in his 70s and just discovered he has cancer 2 weeks ago, because of his age we (the family) are looking into less invasive forms of cancer treatment and Anti-Angiogenic therapy is one thing we are considering,
however to get into a clinical trial for new A treatment is Difficult, and most often cancer patients must all ready be undergoing traditional cancer treatments.

I Don't mean to give false hopes, just showing you options and other directions.

I started my research with this documentary from PBS
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/cancer/faq.html
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/cancer/
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/cancer/program.html
take notes and be prepared to do a ton of Home work .
I learned that Doctors won’t easily admit to new treatments and I am finding persistence is necessary in finding out what is available.

also while doing research, remember the “National Cancer Institute”, is not the beginning and end of all knowledge on cancer treatment.

sending you sympathetic vibes.

[Clarsax]

:hug: I will keep her in my prayers. :hug: :hug:

[scaperbuddy]

The American Cancer Society is good. They were helpful in giving me information on my Dad's colon cancer. They also offer to talk to you on the phone if you want. They sent me some very good booklets on the cancer, treatments etc.

Their website is www.cancer.org They also have a part of the website where you can type in your zipcode and find out the activities in your area. I found the site helpful for information and support. Good luck!

[who45]

There are so many new treatments out there now for breast cancer. It is amazing how many women are surviving it compared to women that had it several years ago. Knowledge is power, the more she can learn about her kind of cancer and what her treatments will be...such as the reactions and what to expect...it so helpful. As scaperbuddy stated The American Cancer Society is very helpful and I strongly recomend them. My thoughts and prayers are continued.

[JadedLegend3]

My aunt has her second surgery tomorrow morning. They are going to remove all of the lymph nodes on her left side around her breast. She will have to stay the night.

My grandparents just arrived up here from Florida today. The grandmother is not doing well with everything (cancer, hurricanes, etc). She actually took a sleeping pill with wine earlier tonight.

So, prayers for the family would be appreciated, again. :) Thanks guys.

[scaperbuddy]

We all will keep you and your family in our prayers. I hope all goes well in the surgery and for a good recovery! :love:

[who45]

My thoughts and prayers are continued.

[trubador]

:hug:

[Darth Buddha]

Fingers crossed.

Don't sweat the sleeping pill with a little wine, so long as grandma is otherwise healthy. Even if she isn't, if she has a tolerance to either, still probably no big deal. Synergesic effects are usually grossly exaggerated. Usually it is 1+1 = 3-5 (with the extra 1-3 attributed to "synergy")...