Triple Negative Breast Cancer --it has reared its ugly head again

yissasmom
yissasmom Member Posts: 1
in Caregivers #1
My mom was diagnosed & treated for breast cancer in 2008.
Tumor markers were up in Sept & there is a mass in her chest that is being biopsied on Monday.
Her oncologist thinks the breast cancer is back (breast was removed in 2008 - so this is along the chest wall).

Her prognosis is grim. We've been told that if it's the same type of cancer (the triple negative) there is no cure. I think we all pretty much know what we're going to hear.

I'm at a loss. I've sunk into a pretty deep depression. In fact I'm still in bed, in my pj's at 1:30pm. I can't even force myself to get dressed.

I don't think I can do this.

I don't really have anywhere to go. No one understands. No one knows what to say. I feel like some people are avoiding me b/c they don't know what to say to me. I'm trying to stay positive for my mom, but I'm sure it's coming across as fake.

Is this normal? Will I eventually toughen up & snap out of this?

Thanks for listening.

Comments

  • amy_h414
    amy_h414 Member Posts: 98
    #2
    I am so sorry. I don't have
    I am so sorry. I don't have any advice since I've never been in this situation myself but I wanted you to know that you are not alone and offer you some (((HUGS))).
  • grandmafay
    grandmafay Member Posts: 1,633 Member
    #3
    Guessing
    I'm guessing that once you have results you will have a plan that you can follow. When my husband was dx with stage 4 colon cancer we were told that it was treatable, not cure able, and life shortening. That first week after the dx I functioned but just barely. Then our family realized that we needed to take advantage of whatever time we had to make memories and share our lives with him. My husband decided to buy as much time as possible and underwent several surgeries, chemo, radiation, etc. He was able to buy 6 years which was almost unheard of at that time. During that time, we celebrated every holiday as if it might be his last. Whatever time your mom has or doesn't have, try to live in the now. Hug her often and tell her you love her. Even if the test results come back negative, this scare tells you that none of us know how much time we have. Celebrate today. Plus, even if your smile is fake, research shows us that it makes us feel better. Take care, Fay

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