2 friends diagnosed with cancer

In the last 2 weeks, I've had 2 dear female friends diagnosed w/ cancer: one w/ stage 4 stomach cancer (age 41) and the other w/ breast cancer (age 38). I am deeply saddened for both and have many questions. I know they are both overwhelmed right now and are trying to cope so I thought I'd come here. First, w/ the stomach cancer: she will be starting chemo soon. I take that as a good sign that they hope the tumors will shrink. Is there a good chance they will shrink? As for the other friend w/ breast cancer, if she chooses a lumpectomy over double mastectomy, is there a high hance that the cancer will return? Thank you in advance for any feedback. All of this is very new and I am having to learn about this all too soon. sadfriend

Hi!

First of all, I am so sorry to hear about both of your friends circumstances..so young. They are going to need your love and support and it wont be easy on you either.. make sure you have a support system for yourself as well.

I can tell you from my experience that after 6 rounds of chemo, my tumors from stage IV stomach cancer were totally gone. I opted to have my stomach removed cuz my dr said that if I did not, the cancer would be back so it was a no brainer for me.

Can I ask you where this friend is receiving treatment?

Prayers your way...

Mel

Hi there, my mom has done 3 rounds of ECF and had 6 rounds of Taxol.  She has stage IV cancer and now is taking a break from chemo to build her immune system.  She's been doing chemo since June of last year.  Doctors say she's inoperable. What type of chemo did you have?

I had 6 rounds of Cisplatin, Taxotere and 5FU... One Dr said that I was inoperable but the one I chose did my gastrectomy... depends on where you go... I felt more comfortable with having my stomach removed.

Where did Moms cancer travel to? Mine had hit my liver. They removed part of my liver as well.

Mel

thank you for responding. I pray that the cancer goes away. My friend is being treated at Sloan. She was told it was inoperable as well.

If I could make a suggestion, do you think she would get a second opinion at Cancer Institute of NJ out of Robert Wood Johnson in New Brunswick, NJ? They have a different attitude about cancer. They believe that everyone is curable and I found that attitude fit my outlook better. They are the ones that ended up treating me. I saw Dr. David August at RWJ.

What state is your friend in?