My mom's final diagnosis after PET scan

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Kaleena
Kaleena Member Posts: 2,088 Member
in Breast Cancer #1

As I posted previously, my mother, an active 80 year old, was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma of her right breast.  She had a PET/CT done and we just got the report yesterday.   At first we thought it was just in the right breast with one lymph node, but the scan revealed a mass in both of her lungs, albiet small, but PET active.  The one nodule was 7 mm (SUV 3.8) and the other 9 mm (SUV 4.6).  The lymph node had an SUV of 4.0 and I didn't ask about the original tumor.   Because of the lung nodules, they are now classifying her as a Stage IV.

They will not do surgery now nor radiation.   Her best treatment recommendation is Herceptin, which my mother has agreed to.   We will get her a MUGA scan tomorrow and then set up the treatment for Herceptin.   My mom is doing well under the circumstances and she feel glad that she can still continue to do all of the things she has been doing.  SHe is also comfortable with the fact that she will be able to drive herself to some of the treatments.

Thank you all for your support and advice.   I will continue to give updates.   

My best to you all.

Kathy

Comments

  • TechMama
    TechMama Member Posts: 28
    #2
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    Sorry for her struggles.  I

    Sorry for her struggles.  I hope treatment goes smoothly. 

  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    #3
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    So very sorry

    I am sorry that you and your mother must now deal with stage IV.  Herceptin is good and I hope it brings results quickly.

    Best,

    Doris

  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    #4
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    SIROD said:

    So very sorry

    I am sorry that you and your mother must now deal with stage IV.  Herceptin is good and I hope it brings results quickly.

    Best,

    Doris

    Sorry

    Kathy, sorry to read about your mom's PET results.  I hope she tolerates the Herceptin well and it does its work.  I have heard really good things about the effectiveness of Herceptin for HER2+ cancer - and this is the first time she's had any treatment, so those pesky cells don't have a clue of what's about to come their way!  BAM!

    Take good care of your mom.  I know you will. 

    Hugs,Suzanne

  • Pixie Dust
    Pixie Dust Member Posts: 424 Member
    #5
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    Glad your Mother is Upbeat And Still Able To Drive

    Kathy, sorry about your mothers DX but glad that she is feeling well enough to make her own decisions and has agreed to take herceptin. Also glad that she is still able to drive. You have been a great caregiver to your mother but remember you have to take care of yourself also. Keep us updated. Hugs, Pixie

  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #6
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    Thanks for the

    Thanks for the update...hugs

     

    Denise

  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #7
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    disneyfan2008 said:

    Thanks for the

    Thanks for the update...hugs

     

    Denise

    Sorry to hear your news

    I am really sorry. I hope your Mom have a a good MUGA reults and will start her treatment quickly.

    Hugs to you and your Mom

  • Kaleena
    Kaleena Member Posts: 2,088 Member
    #8
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    Thanks!

    Thanks Techmama, Doris, Suzanne, Pixie, Denise and New Flower for your responses and support.  It is greatly appreciated.  

    We got the MUGA results and they were excellent according to the nurse.   So my mom's first treatment is set for October 22, 2014.    The nurse said there is nothing she needs to prepare for, no pre-medications or anything.   They indicated the first treatment will, of course, take longer because of the filling of forms, setting up, and making sure that my mom doesn't have any immediate reactions to the Herceptin.   I know my mom had researched the drug on line and even though her oncologist said the main side effect could be Congestive Heart Failure, that other than tiredness there wouldn't be any real side effect., but my mom indicate that there were many side effects that concerned her.   I told her that almost every drug has those same side effects.   I also told her that when you get a vaccination, they have the same side effects. She was mainly concerned about shortness of breath.   I told her she needed this drug to prevent the nodules in her lungs from growing.   She knows she can quit the drug at anytime.  The good thing going for her is that the only medications she has ever taken was for high blood pressure which she just started taking in her early 70s.

    Ugh.  Rambling - sorry!!Foot in Mouth

    Anyway, I will let you all know how her first treatment goes and if there is any more information I can provide on Herceptin.

    Thanks again for all of your support!

    Kathy

     

  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #9
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    Kaleena said:

    Thanks!

    Thanks Techmama, Doris, Suzanne, Pixie, Denise and New Flower for your responses and support.  It is greatly appreciated.  

    We got the MUGA results and they were excellent according to the nurse.   So my mom's first treatment is set for October 22, 2014.    The nurse said there is nothing she needs to prepare for, no pre-medications or anything.   They indicated the first treatment will, of course, take longer because of the filling of forms, setting up, and making sure that my mom doesn't have any immediate reactions to the Herceptin.   I know my mom had researched the drug on line and even though her oncologist said the main side effect could be Congestive Heart Failure, that other than tiredness there wouldn't be any real side effect., but my mom indicate that there were many side effects that concerned her.   I told her that almost every drug has those same side effects.   I also told her that when you get a vaccination, they have the same side effects. She was mainly concerned about shortness of breath.   I told her she needed this drug to prevent the nodules in her lungs from growing.   She knows she can quit the drug at anytime.  The good thing going for her is that the only medications she has ever taken was for high blood pressure which she just started taking in her early 70s.

    Ugh.  Rambling - sorry!!Foot in Mouth

    Anyway, I will let you all know how her first treatment goes and if there is any more information I can provide on Herceptin.

    Thanks again for all of your support!

    Kathy

     

    Sending positive thoughts and praygers

    I too had herceptin infusions  ---   

    You mom will be tired after treatments,  Maybe you can ask that Mom's Oncologist provide a iron supplement for mom. 

    Hoping mom the very best ..

    Vicki Sam

     

  • Kaleena
    Kaleena Member Posts: 2,088 Member
    #10
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    VickiSam said:

    Sending positive thoughts and praygers

    I too had herceptin infusions  ---   

    You mom will be tired after treatments,  Maybe you can ask that Mom's Oncologist provide a iron supplement for mom. 

    Hoping mom the very best ..

    Vicki Sam

     

    Thanks Vicki Sam
    I will tell

    Thanks Vicki Sam

    I will tell her oncologist.   She has in the past had low iron in her.  I will advise them of that.

    Thanks for the well wishes.  I hope you are well also!

    My best to you.

    Kathy

  • GMcD
    GMcD Member Posts: 134
    #11
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    Kaleena said:

    Thanks Vicki Sam
    I will tell

    Thanks Vicki Sam

    I will tell her oncologist.   She has in the past had low iron in her.  I will advise them of that.

    Thanks for the well wishes.  I hope you are well also!

    My best to you.

    Kathy

    Your mother sounds like an

    Your mother sounds like an amazing lady.  I am sure she will be quite a fighter.  Highest regards and best wishes to her and her loved ones.

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