Just got some bad news about my mom's cancer-- anyone with experience have an opinion??? About This Page:

[goofysdtr]

Oh, Dina! My prayers & are headed your way! I wish there was more I could do.

[NanaTink]

[Huntermom]

Sloan Kettering is in New York City and Dana Farber is in Boston. They are probably the two best cancer research centers in the Northeast. They offer the most up to date treatment and some of the most reknowned specialists.

When my mother was dying from cancer, she finally agreed to go to Dana Farber, unfortunately it was too late. My DB-in-law had initially made appointments at both Sloan Kettering and Dana Farber, but my mother did not want to leave her local MD. When she finally went, they were doing drug treatment regimes that her local physician had never done and not even heard of. Her cancer by then had metasticised to her brain and was no longer treatable.

When DB-in-laws mother was diagnosed, he was able to get her to go immediately to Sloan Kettering. She really had an excellent quality of life for over two years, after the local MD had given her weeks.

Good luck. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Diane

[katspjs]

I'm sorry to hear about your mom's setback Dina. Sloan Kettering is a hospital in New York and Dana Farber is in Boston, they both specialize in cancer. I am not familiar with the hospitals in the Philly area.

[Fortissimo]

My MIL was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001, my best friend in 98, and my aunt in 2005. From watching and learning with them, I have learned a lot.

The most important thing I learned was to ask the doctors questions. Lots of questions. Make them explain everything in laymans terms. Do not let them talk above your heads. If you don't understand something, ask for clarification.

When your mother has appointments, try to go with her. Also, take a family friend who can listen to what is being by the doctors. Many times we discovered that the doctor said something, but because of emotions something else was heard. My DH and his aunt (MIL's sister) who is an RN went to every appointment my MIL had so they could all ask questions and ask for clarification.

As for the treatments, there are many different kinds of breast cancer and they don't all have the same treatments. Often there is more than one type of cancer present. I suggest that your family learn exactly what type of breast cancer your mother has. Is the breast cancer estrogen-fed or not. Research that type of breast cancer because if you research them all, it will become confusing and drive you bonkers.

like I said, the treatment varies from type to type as well as what stages the cancer is in. My aunt was originally told she needed no chemo but she requested and received the treatments. She is now cancer free. My best friend had a lumpectomy followed by 6 months of chemo and then radiation. Her cancer returned in late 2006 so she had a masectomy as well as more chemo. My MIL had inflammatory breast cancer and that was treated with chemo, followed by radiation, then a double masectomy and the more chemo. She was cancer-free for about a year when it returned. The chemo that she receieved kept her alive for I believe 3 years.

Now to the chemo. Yes, if does attack all cells in your body. However, the chemo does fight the cancer and you can still have a high-quality life with the chemo. My MIL lived life to the fullest, even with the chemicals in her body. If your mother has a fast-moving cancer, she needs aggressive treatments. This is where it is very important for you to learn what type of cancer she has so that she can be proactive. Ask the doctor if there are any research trials going on for that type of cancer. She if your mom qualifies for any research. Remember, be proactive.

Now for your health for the future; while some breast cancers are hereditary, most are not. However there are some triggers that can be heriditary and that is the estrogen-fed breast cancers. If your mom has estrogen-fed cancer, please avoid as many soy products as you can. My MIL's cancer was estrogen-fed and it started with the soy products she consumed plus the hormone-replacement therapy.

Start having mammograms at least 10 years before the age your mother was diagnosed. My best friend was diagnosed at age 37 so her DD will begin having mammograms at age 27.

Finally, I cannot stress enough that someone goes with your mother to her doctor's appointments so that you can have more than her set of ears. It is important that everyone in the family understands the type cancer and the treatments.

I hope this helped and hugs coming your way.

[disneyfan4994]

I don't have any advice Dina, I just wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you & your Mom & sending tons of pixies your way.

[simbarel]

My mother went to Dana Farber and the cancer went away, for a while. When it came back she initially said "no" to chemo, but after some thought she went with it. Many thoughts, prayers, and hugs for your family.

[Floyd Taylor]

I agree that a second opinion would be in order. And although Dana Farber and Sloan Kettering are both great places, if your mom is near you near Philly, she'd probably be more comforatble near home. You've got quite a few great teaching hospitals in Philly -- UPenn, Temple, Hahnemann/Medical College of PA and Thomas Jefferson. All of these institutions are world-class, and each would most likely have top notch breast cancer oncologists. There are oncological specialists in breast cancer so she shoud try to find one she is comfortable with.

Breast cancer treatment is changing and changing rapidly and you should find someone who is up-to-date with the most recent research. Is she eligible for any clinical trials? The faculty at these institutions would know. Is she HER2+. Estrogen + or -? All these factors go into the new treatment regimens.

My beloved DW is now 2 years post mastectomy. She was diagnosed exceptionally early (almost pre-stage I) but after finding the right surgeon, oncologist and reconstructive surgeon (at our teaching hospital -- her alma mater), we made the decision for mastectomy, followed by a round of chemo, followed by a year treatment of Herceptin. She saw her oncologist today and was told she was doing well enough that she could reduce the frequency of her follow-ups. In the last 2 years, even though we are a medical family, we've learned a lot about cancer treatment, this time from the patient's point of view. And we've learned about the complexity of treatment options. And to the speed of updates to treatment regimens. When she was diagnosed, the only way to get Herceptin was to join a clinical trial. The week before we were to fill out the paperwork to join the trial, the trial was cancelled due to great success and made readily available to all.

I think your mom should get to one of these institutions and get a second opinion. And I also agree with another suggestion -- a second person being present would be useful because I'm sure your mom would benefit from that second set of ears.

Please keep us up to date on how your mom is doing. And let us know if there is anything else we can do to help you or her.

[Ms_Butterfly]

She should do everything she can to treat it, IMO. Not to scare you or anything, but you DID ask!, I wish my cousin had done everything she could to treat the cancer she is prob'ly dying of right now. She is finally back in the States getting treatment, but the cancer (which started as breast cancer, although this isn't her first bout with it) is now in her bones and organs because she refused treatment at first (when it came back). She's a single mother of a ten-year-old, to top it all off.

Like others said, your mother may want to get a second opinion, if she hasn't already done so. She may want to go to a specialized cancer hospital, such as Dana Farber, like others mentioned.

Remember, questions about your mother's individual condition (and cancer and its treatment truly are individual from person to person!) should always be addressed to the doctor(s) working with her/treating her because they have her scans and tests and medical history and all.

I hope everything goes well for her!!!!!!!

[chezp]

I only have lots and lots of for you, your mom and the whole family.

[Happymommy]

Thank you so much, everyone. I deeply appreciate all of your advice and personal experiences, and pixies. I'm gonna talk to my mom in the morning, and try and get her to see someone at Dana Farber or Sloan Kettering. I really want her to get the second round of chemo. Thank you all so much!!

[Floyd Taylor]

Dina -- I've thought a lot about you overnight. I've looked up some information that you may be able to use. According to the listing of ongoing clinical trials for breast cancer maintained by the National Cancer Institute (online at Search for Clinical Trials - National Cancer Institute) there appear to be two centers in Philly who are active in quite a few trials. The contact for the clinical trial offices at these two institutes are:

Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University - Philadelphia
Clinical Trials Office - Kimmel Cancer Center Ph: 215-955-6084

Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania
Clinical Trials Office - Abramson Cancer Center Ph: 800-474-9892

These two centers would at least be able to tell you where to start to get referrals to their top people, even if your mom doesn't want to be involved in a trial or wouldn't qualify for such a trial. The trial offices certainly know who their top people are.

Also, if you are interested in Dana Farber, I was able to find the contact info for their breast cancer group:
New Patients - (877) 332-4294

Keep us informed on your mom. We're hoping for the best.

[lauren-roxy]

Dina, I really think your mom should get a second opinion.

[Disney_Scarlett]

I think a second opinion would be a good idea. to your mom and your family.

[Tink and co.]