My friend with breast cancer - Page 2 Ages & Stages

Patience · 08-15-07, 09:37 AM

That is really horrible. Just awful. I pray that somehow she is able to beat the odds and get well again.

Just to give you a bit of hope....one of the kids DH teaches, his Mom has been fighting breast cancer for the last 5 years. She is not "enjoying" life, but has gotten to spend more time with her kids.

A friend of mine was diagnosed 4 years ago (while her and I were pregnant) and though it has advanced to her bones, she is treating it like a chronic illness and is hoping to be here for at least another 4 years. She is in remission right now, but they offer no cure for her. Just more treatments when it returns and hopefully another remission.

It is so awful to accept and deal with though. It really isn't acceptable to me that they are "lucky" to get another few years with their children, but it does beat the alternative.

I'm sorry if I am making no sense. I just wanted to try to give you a bit of hope that your friend will have a little more time here. I sure hope so.

Phalene · 08-15-07, 09:48 AM

I'm so sorry Amy.

But, another story. My aunt's sister-in-law knew she had lumps, but was scared to go in. She waited almost a year until there was dimpling, which is a very bad sign. When she had her mastectomy they found that it was a rare kind of breast cancer that masks itself as normal tissue, and was much bigger than anticipated. It had also spread to about 1/2-3/4 of the lymph nodes. She had a full round of chemo and has been in remission now for years.

AmyM · 08-15-07, 10:21 AM

Thank you all. I do love the stories. I would think that even a few extra years with her kids would make a huge difference - to her and to them. I will work on keeping a positive attitude about this whole stupid disease.

My friend will be doing both chemo and radiation and most likely a hysterectomy (her cancer is hormone positive so getting rid of the hormones helps limit the growth of it).

Thank you all again.

savannah33 · 08-15-07, 10:29 AM

Just know when you're down we're here for you!

Patience · 08-15-07, 10:29 AM

I am so glad she is being aggressive in treating it!

You are allowed to be negative and upset. You are right to feel anything you feel. Just try to remember to keep up hope just to help you (and your friend) from going crazy!