Sister's Breast Cancer Spread To Lung

My sis had stage111B, 11/2001.5cm tumor along with some nodes infected. She had a mastectomy, chemo and radiation. We have just found out she it has shown up in her lung. She is mentally retarded so all decisions have to be made by me. She is 52yrs old. The doc said no to more chemo or radiation. Wants to start her on another pill other than Tamoxifen. The CT scan detected nodules have grown in the last month. A biopsy is being done next week. He feels it is the cancer because of the CT scan and her blood levels are elevated. What questions do I ask????? You know the one I DO want to know. What is her life expectancy from here? Do I ask it, will he know???? I am her caretaker as well as my mom...80yrs old, and brother that is mentally slow. What do I do??? I am so scared and want to do the right thing. Thanks.

I noticed that no one has replied to your message. I wonder how your sister is. Are you still looking for questions? My mom has cancer, and I am spending a lot of time looking at the 'questions' that need to be asked. I would be willing to talk to you about it.
Amy

Hi & thank you for responding. Yes my sister is still on arimdex. I did ask some questions and was told if she is lucky she might get 5 years from now. I was glad to hear that because I thought months. You never know what new med comes along every day is hopeful. Her tumors have begun to shrink so that is a good sign. I am sorry you are dealing with cancer also. Is your mom doing ok? Joanne

My mom has ovarian lieomyosarcoma, which really means that she has a cancer that is highly aggressive and resistant to treatment. She had a complete hysterectomy, and at the present, no disease is seen on a CT. The docs aren't very hopeful, 40-50% survival for 2 years. She's about the 35 person in the world with a confirmed case of this type of LMS. She's planning a trip w/my dad while she's well enough. The rest of us are hoping for a miracle. She's only 61, and should have a lot of life left. I've decided that if there is a devil, cancer is it.
Back to you, I used to run a program for individuals w/developmental disabilities, and I'm curious about your sis. Does she understand what she's going through? How tough is it to explain things to her? I hope you are finding enough support for you to help support her.
Amy

my mom has ovarian lieomyosarcoma, which really means that she has a cancer that is highly aggressive and resistant to treatment. she had a complete hysterectomy, and at the present, no disease is seen on a CT. The docs aren't very hopeful, 40-50% survival for 2 years. She's about the 35 person in the world with a confirmed case of this type of LMS. She's planning a trip w/my dad while she's well enough. The rest of us are hoping for a miracle. She's only 61, and should have alot of life left. I've decided that if there is a devil, cancer is it.
Back to you, I used to run a program for individuals w/developmental disabilities, and I'm curious about your sis. Does she understand what she's going through? How tough is it to explain things to her? I hope you are finding enough support for you to help support her.
Amy

Hi, sorry to hear about the agressive nature of your mom's cancer but the good news is there is no sight of it on CT scan. My prayers are with her and you.

My sis knows she has cancer. It was found after much arguing for her to get a regular physical. She would never go and everytime an apt. was made the screaming and yelling would force us to cancel. Unfortunatly the cancer was there & we never knew. When we finally got her to go, the doctor showed me the breast. It was totally consumed with tumor and shifted her nipple to her armpit.I have never seen anything so unbelievable in my life. Of course I feel VERY guilty for not enforcing the apts. more aggressivly but she seemed fine. When we asked her about the breast she said it was a little pimple and would go away. She had no idea how bad it was. She never told anyone about it because she felt it was "just a pimple". The doc said she had to have it at least 3 yrs.

She came through surgery with no pain meds, she was washing windows in 2 weeks and changing curtains. She amazed the surgeon and everyone else because she didn't have pain or even discomfort. The doc said usually people with mental disabilities have a high threshold for pain. Also that she didn't know she was supposed to have limitations. What ever it was she did fine and I am thankful.

She was ok with the original diagnosis but I notice a sombering feel about her now with this new recurrence. I think she knows it is serious but she doesn't know how much. She believes she will take arimidex for 5 years and be done and on her merry little way. OH GOD I HOPE SO!!!!

Her IQ is 63 so she can do a lot as a "normal" person would but her judgement is off and her trust is high. You can tell her anything and she will believe it.

I guess I went into too much depth and probably didn't answer your original question. Joanne

Thank you for your story...it wasn't too much in depth for me. I appreciate your willingness to tell me. I hope everything works out for her. I'm amazed at how she has held up despite the nature of her disease when it was found.
Amy

I know it's been about a year since you posted, but I wondered how your sister is doing. I know that sisters often feel helpless when their sibling is diagnosed with breast cancer.

If you want to know how you can help make a difference for generations to come, you may consider participating in the Sister Study. To find out more information go to www.sisterstudy.org .