Breast Cancer In Liver

My mom had breast cancer a few years back and underwent a mastectomy. Now, she has been diagnosed with breast cancer in her liver. The doctors say that it has been there since she had the breast cancer, but it went undetected because her lymph nodes were clean. I am just wondering if there is anyone with a similar diagnosis that can share their experiences with me. As of right now, her only treatment is a pill called arimidex. She has not had any chemotherapy or radiation.

Can anybody offer me any information or advice?

Hi,
I also have breast cancer in liver. I was dignosed last October 2002. i have stage 4. the only treatment that I have taken is Femara. I seem to be doing pretty well at this time. just alot of pressure on right side under ribs. I went for a CT scan in June and oncologist said the tumors had shrunk some. Hope this note finds you well.

God Bless You,
Theresa

Hi Tracey, My name is Dalila and I'm also new to this board. I know that you wrote this back in June, however it sounds similar to what I'm going through with my mom. She was diagnosed Sept 22, 2003 a 3rd time with Breast Cancer IV mets to the liver and bones. She's currently on chemo and that's it. How is your mom doing? What has been the outcome of any other meds or information for her condition? I will keep both of our Mother's and you in my prayers.

Dalila in Texas

Hi Dalila,

Thanks for your reply. I am sorry to hear about your mom; it is always so scary to get that kind of news. So, your mom and my mom seem to have similiar conditions. My mom recently started a new treatment; she is now undergoing a low dose chemotherapy in conjunction with a pill called femara. The chemo is actually an intramuscular injection that she gets once a month and it doesn't have many side effects at all. I can't remember the name of it though.

How old is your mom? My mom is going to be 52 around Thanksgiving. How is your mom's spirit? How is your spirit? Somedays, I feel so down; I could literally cry all day. Most days I just immerse myself in my job, and that keeps me from thinking/worrying too much.

Well, please keep in touch. I like to hear from others that have similiar situations. It's nice to know that we're not alone. I will keep you and your mom in my thoughts and prayers.

P.S. Don't forget to wear your pink ribbon for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Take Care,

Tracy

Dalila,

I forgot to tell you that my mom was on Arimidex from December of last year until approx August. A couple of her tumors continued to grow in the last couple of months, so that is why they changed the treatment. She is going for another MRI on Wednesday of next week because she has been in constant pain and they want to see what's going on.

anyway, good luck at the appt with CTCA. Please let me know how it goes.

Take Care,

Tracy

Hi Tracey,
Glad to hear from you!
I'm very new to the message board as of this month. I know it had been a while since you had written on the message board, and I wanted to write you to see how you and your mom were doing. I was really excited that you responded, and to hear that your mom is doing good. Especially knowing that you wrote back in June and we're now in October, which gives me some hope on knowing about my mom's condition. I'm also young, well... 27 yrs. old and a newly wed, no children (yet) and I know that you're you're 24 yrs. and soon to be married next year. I'm so sorry that you're having to go through this, during this time. Please, please feel free anytime to email me or even call me, seriously. I know that sounds strange and it sounds strange coming from me, the fact that I don't know you. However, I do feel as though that I'm walking your same shoes and it helps talking to someone who knows and who is presently going throughout the same thing. Even if it's talking about your mother, or wedding stuff. Don't give up hope, and have FAITH in GOD...He will take care of you and your mother.

Short Back ground on my mom: My mother actually was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000, age 52 in her right breast, (stage 1, lumpectomy, radiation) then in 2001, age 53 she was diagnosed on her left side with breast cancer (stage 1, lumpectomy, radiation). Since then she really never had follow up care, from her Breast Cancer Surgeon or Oncologist, such as CT Scans, or any blood work. This year she did undergo several surgeries, and still no detection of cancer spreading. In March 03' she went to her first Mammo (normal breast check up) since the 2001 BC she had, which was clear, she went again in August 03, in which the Mammo (breast examination) again was clear, no signs of cancer. However, an actual CT Scan, PET Scan, blood work, anything still hadn't been done to see if the cancer had spread through a lymph node or blood stream? The beginning of September 03, (age 55) she had several problems going on with her that none of the doctors could pin point what was wrong with her. She was completely misdiagnosed with Heart problems or Acid Reflux, etc... She then mentioned that she has a lump by her neck...immediately a Biopsy was done, 2 days later, they finally SUGGESTED her to have a PET SCAN, to find out that day the cancer had spread through the lymph nodes, to the liver & bones and that her Cancer Surgeon couldn't do anything for her. He suggested her to see an Oncologist...The oncologist, was really easy going and said that the cancer has spread to the liver, and bones and immediately started her first treatment of Chemo 2 days later (andriamycin & Cytoxin),it's been 2 weeks now and she seems to be doing OK. some days are better that others, but she still has a good attitude.. TShe has high hopes and a strong spirit that she's going to beat this cancer. The treatment that we got from the Oncologist left us with high hopes, but a little confused on how calm he was approaching the extent of my mom's cancer. He made is see as if it were a Walk in the Park, and that everything is going to be ok. That we do have a lot to go thru, but that my mom was going to be ok? Of course all of us are sadden, ANGRY, confused, and feeling much more, so we got a second opinion from my older sister's, sister in law who is a Doctor, and her husband is a surgeon in Texas. THIS TOPS IT ALL...After reading her prognosis, they were the ones who sat us down and and explained to us everything my mom had. which was 4 times worse that what the oncologist said. They had said the cancer has spread everywhere, and that she's only guaranteed to live 3-6 months. Now we're going to Cancer Treatment Centers of America, to see what they have to say. We're not giving up at all, we're going to do what it takes to get her through this. FAITH &A LOT OF PRAYER from our entire family and friends. It's really, really, really hard for my family, this is something that we never could imagine going through. This is something that you read about and wouldn't think could happen to us. I feel as if this is the biggest Nightmare in the world, everything has landed on our laps in just 3 weeks... We leave to CTCA in 2 days, and my mom is anxious. which makes us anxious to see what they have to offer. I'll definitely keep in touch with you on the experience that we are going to recieve. If you want to know a little more about them, you can visit their site, www.cancercenter.com. Thank you for your time, and I'll be praying for you! Take care of yourself too, because your mother needs you....

Hi Dalila,

Thanks for your response. The last couple of weeks must have been horrible for you. I am sorry for that, but I am glad that you found my message and responded to it. It helps me to talk to other people; although I would like to make new friends in much happier circumstances!

I can't believe how much we have in common. My mom also did not receive much follow-up care after her mastectomy a few years ago. I feel like if they would have done more she wouldn't be in this situation. When my mom started getting sick last December, she was also continuously misdiagnosed. No one knew what was wrong with her, but she was throwing up constantly and extremely fatigued. It sounds like your mom must have also been having some nausea if they told her she had acid reflux.
Is your mom in any pain? my mom has lots of pain on a regular basis in her right side. she is going to have an MRI on Wednesday of this week to see what's going on. She also has blood tests every week now. Her spirits are up and down. She's really not the same person that she used to be. It's so hard cause I am so very close to her. I have no siblings. I think you said that you have a sister. Does she live close to you? Where in Texas do you live?

What day do you leave for CTCA? Are you coming all the way to Zion? Please let me know if there is anything I can do. My mom and dad only live about 15 miles from the Zion facility.

Thanks again for responding to my messages. It is so nice to talk to someone that understands. Believe me, I know what you mean when you say angry and sad. Somedays, I am so angry, I can barely even speak to anybody. Take care of you and your family. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely,

Tracy

Hi,

I was originally diagnosed with BC in 01-00; received chemo followed by radiation. Then in 01-03 in a routine tumor marker blood test, BC mets was found to my bones and liver. I was immediately switched from Tamoxifen to Arimidex and given monthly infusions of Zometa for the bones. I am not going through chemo at this point because the tumors on the liver are not growing and I am not symptomatic at this time. I had retired from my job at age 52 when I got the last diagnosis. I am now working again to keep my mind off things and to keep me active in the community. I hope your mother is doing okay now. Please feel free to ask me anything. I've researched a lot on the subject and there is a lot out there to view.

Betty

I just read your message and I just found out Tuesday that my breast cancer had met. to the liver. My onocologist has already started me on an oral chemo by mouth called Xolenda or close to that spelling. It is supposed to be a chemo that targets the cancer and kills it or makes its smaller.
So far after three doses I feel very good only I was feeling a lot better before I got the bad news laid on me. My email is --- Message edited by CancerCompass staff: for personal protection, email address removed. Please review CancerCompass Member Guidelines at http://www.cancercompass.com/common/guidelines.html ---if anyone wants me to talk to.. thanks for visiting this site it has helped calm me down a lot.