Breast cancer question...my 90 year old mother.

[Raven]

My mother, who just turned 90, has been diagnosed with breast cancer. It is a fairly large tumor, about the size of a walnut. She has not begun treatment but will do so soon. I don't think she has any enlarged lymph nodes. Lately she has had fairly severe stomach problems...in fact, over the past six months or so she has had mild stomach problems and has lost about 10 pounds. I think that they will begin treating her with drugs to try to reduce the tumor...surgery is not advised because her lungs are compromised and she has only one working kidney.

I'm wondering if the stomach problems may be a sign that the cancer has spread. I may just be overreacting but it was the first thought I had when I saw her today. Does anyone have any knowledge or experience with this? I'd apprecaite your comments or advice. Thanks.

[Piperay]

1. No knowledge to impart but

wishing all the best to your mother. :hug:

[VelmaD]

2. Oh Raven...

No advice to impart, just figured you could use one of these...:hug:

[Spinzonner]

3. At her age other, unrelated organ problems might also be possible

have her 'stomach' problems been reported and examined before the breast cancer diagnosis arose ? A stomach problem is rather specific, do you mean intestinal/digestive symptoms instead ?

Shouldnt they be able to do a scan and see if there is multiorgan involvement ? I dont know about the stomach in particular.

[Raven]

4. good questions...

they knew about the weight loss and her general digestive discomfort but now she is throwing up quite a bit. Funny, they prescribed a drug for this which is for people who have had chemotherapy. She has not. Your idea about a scan is a good one though and it's non-invaisive. I will ask about that. Getting answers from these Drs is like pulling teeth.

[clydefrand]

5. I don't know if the stomach pain is related to the breast cancer

but the fact that she has lost weight indicates the cancer is putting out an enzyme that curbs the appetite.

The doctor of my friend who died this month of cancer of the liver and colon and ??? who knows where else by the end, told us that the cancer makes an enzyme that destroys the appetite. In fact he said, "If you find a food you like, eat the hell out of it because it's the lack of food that kills you rather than the cancer itself." Those were his words! Good advice; eat what you can during this time even if it's the same thing day after day. (BTW, this same doctor said that research is now being done on this enzyme in hopes of creating a drug to combat obesity.)

I know when my father had colon cancer that he got to the point that he wanted nothing but chocolate milk and apple pie. He died 44 years ago this past Tuesday.

I've also heard many other stories of loss of appetite with cancer. My mother-in-law couldn't eat at all at the end.

Good luck with your mother. It's a heartbreaking thing to have to watch someone you love experience this evil disease. I would think a scan of her stomach and intestines should show if there are tumors there.

By all means if you can, go to the doctor with your mother and ask questions. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Fran

[Raven]

8. Thank you so much, that is very good information and advice.

I think a scan is in her future and I will pass on the food information.

[bigwillq]

6. Raven, all the best to your mom.

:hug:

Hope everything goes well.

I'm sorry I don't have any advice for you.

[Raven]

7. Thanks for the hugs Piperay and Velma!

You know, she has lived 90 years and most, if not all of them have been good ones. She has great care and a family that loves her and is involved. I just don't want her to suffer. The medical system is so fucked up that you really have to fight to get the right care.

[welshTerrier2]

9. a great resource !!

sorry, i don't know the answer to your question ... i would hope that any good diagnosis would have determined whether the cancer had spread to your mom's stomach ... since they didn't find anything, it probably did not ...

however, at 90, it's still important to determine what's causing the stomach problems ... sounds like she needs to visit her doctor ... maybe some of the meds she's taking is causing the problem ... that's not uncommon ...

last year my mom was diagnosed with lung cancer ... never smoked a day in her life ... she was really lucky they caught it so early ... she had surgery (she was 82 at the time) and is doing great ... several different types of surgery were possible ...

i contacted the National Cancer Institute and they spent more than an hour on the phone with me doing research and giving me all kinds of helpful information ... I can't overemphasize how important it is for you to contact them and ask them as many questions as you can think of ... it's free and they are incredible ...

National Cancer Institute
their phone # is: 1-800-4Cancer
their webiste is: http://www.nci.nih.gov/
breast cancer info: http://www.nci.nih.gov/cancertopics/types/breast

and one last thing ... i did a ton of reading about cancer on all sorts of online forums ... the anti-nausea drug of choice is called: Zofran ... if your mom needs it, don't let them give her anything else ... they often tell you they use "something else that's just as effective" ... tell them to give her Zofran ...

best of luck and best wishes to your mom ... keep us posted on how she's coming along ...

[miss_kitty]

11. Dolasetron is good too

and given at the time of chemo. I've taken both.

[welshTerrier2]

12. thanks ...

that's another tip i left out ... sometimes you can get the anti-nausea stuff before they do the chemo ...

i've heard there were some newer drugs that were effective but didn't know their names ... i think there are several of them ... haven't heard of Dolesetron though ... did you have a preference ??

[miss_kitty]

14. they handed me the Dolasetron before they gave me the

mitomycin, and said take this now. It is stronger than Zofran. Once I took a melting Zofran that gets in the system immediately-it melts under your tongue.

I have managed to throw up though, taking Zofran and Dolasetron. That was when I was in the hospital with an intestinal blockage. It had nothing to do with chemo.

[miss_kitty]

10. Think about the questions you want to ask the Dr and write them down

Leave spaces to write key words down, because the answers will spawn more questions.

You need to be proactive in a huge way for your mom. Otherwise, stuff that needs doing can go by the wayside. Never be afraid to pipe up on her behalf.

Be sure to ask about the nadir experience, what to do, where to go, should your mom have one. This is when the chemo reduces red and white blood cells and the platelets. They should be monitoring her blood, but it springs up some times. Ask how long after chemo you should expect it.

best of luck to you and your family, Raven. I hope your mom is well soon.

[miss_kitty]

13. ooh I just thought of this

Marinol (Dronabinol) is a THC derivative. It creates the munchies, while being a mild anti-emetic. and I do mean mild (I yakked under the influence a week or so ago). but the munchie thing-somewhat powerful. also can promote sleep.

[SOteric]

15. My heartfelt sympathies and big hug,

I know how much it distresses one to feel so concerned about a mum's health.

Your mother or someone close to her (maybe you?) should definitely mention her stomach distress to her oncologist.

It may be as simple as the overwhelming stress of imminent mortality. I don't mean to imply her battle can't be won, only to remind that it has no doubt occured to her that at her age, even winning such a momentous battle will not grant her long happy years of life ahead.

The emotional stress of such a diagnoses takes a physical toll even on those much younger than your mum and isn't ever really an easy thing to process in an individual.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, maybe she's afraid.

Also, yes, cancers do tend to emit an appetite surpressing enzyme.

[Ramsey]

16. Check your mail

Raven, I am an oncologist and I specialize in breast cancer. I mailed you a note with my advice.

[MaineDem]

17. Best wishes, Raven

:hug:

Good luck to your mother and her family. It's good she has you to worry about her. Hang in there.