Survival.. Confused About Prognosis

My mother was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer in December of 2007.  She has gone through 2 different sets of chemo treatment, just had the masectomy and is starting chemo again.  She has great doctors but I am just confused on what life expectancy of someone diagnosed with what she has is.  From what I've read about the different stages, she does not completely fall into stage 3.  She did have a very large tumor, 7 cm I believe.  It had spread to 3 lymph nodes, but not to anywhere else in her body.  When they removed the tumor the outside of it texted negative for cancer, which means they removed all of the cancerous tissue successfully.  The doctors don't offer much information other than when her next appointment is (and I know they can't predict anything) and my mother is terrified to ask questions because she's scared of what the answers will be.  I am just looking for anyone who can offer me any opinion about this.  I know it's just an opinion, but I am desperate for someone to tell me something about what she is going through and what the final outcome may be.  I am looking for any information or maybe someone with a similiar diagnosis.  I keep thinking that she has to make it through this because they removed all of the tumor, it hasn't spread and it was only in 3 lymph nodes.

 Thank you.

i too was stage 3 breast cancer with 3 affected nodes. it was may of 2005.i had my breast removed also. I had chemo and 25 radiation treatments.Im doing fine.I also had a tumor that was 6 in size. I know hearing stage 3 is frighting but i have learned not to worry. People with stage 3 have done very well with treament and lived very long lives. Have you mom ask her oncoligist to explain the different stages and also her prognosis. My dr doesnt seem worried about my stage he says my chance of it coming back after treament is about 20%. I wish your mom the best.tell her to keep positive, have her treatments and live life to the fullest.We must remember that no one is promised tomorrow, having cancer only makes us more aware of  living for today

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On 4/28/2008 sweet5720 wrote:

My mother was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer in December of 2007.  She has gone through 2 different sets of chemo treatment, just had the masectomy and is starting chemo again.  She has great doctors but I am just confused on what life expectancy of someone diagnosed with what she has is.  From what I've read about the different stages, she does not completely fall into stage 3.  She did have a very large tumor, 7 cm I believe.  It had spread to 3 lymph nodes, but not to anywhere else in her body.  When they removed the tumor the outside of it texted negative for cancer, which means they removed all of the cancerous tissue successfully.  The doctors don't offer much information other than when her next appointment is (and I know they can't predict anything) and my mother is terrified to ask questions because she's scared of what the answers will be.  I am just looking for anyone who can offer me any opinion about this.  I know it's just an opinion, but I am desperate for someone to tell me something about what she is going through and what the final outcome may be.  I am looking for any information or maybe someone with a similiar diagnosis.  I keep thinking that she has to make it through this because they removed all of the tumor, it hasn't spread and it was only in 3 lymph nodes.

 Thank you.

I was diagnosed with Stage III lobular BC in '05.  My tumor was over 6cm.  I had chemo first to shrink the tumor, a mastectomy, more chemo (they found more cancer) and 36 rounds of radiation.  I had 2 positive nodes before I started chemo and 2 more positive nodes removed at my mastectomy.  My Drs. tell me they do not know how many nodes I lost altogether because the chemo discintegrated a lot of them (this is good).  My oncologist and radiation oncologist both give me a high survival rate (only 20% chance of reocurrance).  I take my Aromisin every day and am very optimistic about my survial rate.  I will always have that little nagging reminder in the back of my mind, I acknowledge it and move on.  I am very positive and live a very happy life.  Being optimistic and having a great outlook on life really make a huge difference.  Your mom's best allies are her Drs.  Please tell her not to be afraid to ask questions, I'm sure they will alleviate her anxiety by voicing her concerns.

I wish your mom a long and happy life.

Teresa

All I can say is Hooray for your sister!  My oncologist has a news letter and he just wrote about metastatic BC. He said, and I quote "I am telling women with metastic disease that they should consider themselves living with a chronic disease that will require appropriate treatment rather than a 'terminal' disease.  This is very good news and I am so happy to hear such optimistic news.  He also goes on to say "that the most siginicant thing they can do to impact their breast cancer risk is to do aerobic exercise 5 hours per week and reduce their caloric intake from fat to 20% of thie daily caloric intake."  I think eating properly and getting in that aerobic exercise is still part of the battle against BC.  I don't mind the exercise but I am having a hard time giving up my chocolate!  Best wishes to your sister and my she live a long and healthy life.

Teresa