Cancer was rough on my mom, who has struggled with Multiple Sclerosis from age 26 and severe arthritis. Removing the lymph nodes caused severe lymphedema and some circulation problems in her right arm. But, in true survivor fashion, she moved on with her life enduring her pain suffering well.
According to cancer.net, it is estimated that 40,890 people die from breast cancer each year, 40,450 women and 440 men. If you are diagnosed with cancer only in the breast, the 5-year survival rate is 99%. If the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, the 5-year survival rate is 85%. If the cancer has metastasized when they find it initially, the 5-year survival rate is only 26%.
May 2016 mom celebrated 8 years being cancer free. It was also that month that she started to experience some severe pain.
The pain began in her spine and moved forward around her rib cage and abdomen. It was intense. It would come for a few days at a time and then subside. After some research, she determined it was the "MS Hug", a fairly common symptom of Multiple Sclerosis. Over the next 6 weeks the pain increased in frequency and duration. Finally, on July 5, mom went to the ER. The initial testing showed several small nodules in both lungs. From there, the testing began.
After weeks of appointments with multiple doctors and a variety of testing the final diagnosis is Metastatic Breast Cancer (meaning it migrated to another area of the body) in the bones and the lungs. The survival rates for Metastatic Breast Cancer are grim. Most of the time, less than a year. Mom has chosen, at this time, to not pursue treatment.
She posted this on her Facebook Page on August 7:
Life is on my mind tonight. For me, July has been the month from hell. From the 1st of July to the 3rd of August there have been tests and doctor visits and the ER room and meds and pain and now I have found out that the cancer has come back in my bones and probably in the lungs as well. There is no cure for metastatic cancer; only managing the effects. I have decided not to do any further treatment. I have no idea how much longer I will survive. If it's lung cancer, the doctor said 3-6 months. If it's bone cancer 1-3 years. We will repeat the tests in 2 months to see which one is growing the fastest. I am praying it is not lung cancer. But I have developed a wheeze and a constant cough and I can't breathe very well sometimes. We'll see.
I am writing this on Facebook rather than sending hundreds of emails to everyone. I hope you understand.
To all of you who have been a part of the amazing life I have had here, thank you. You all have added to my experience and education while I have been here. I have had an amazing life and I am very grateful for every experience I've had..every single one.
My girls are going to put a blog together where status updates will be given. We did this with David and it turned into a great memorial to him and a place my children go to remember and think of him. When I get that address, I will post it.When my dad was diagnosed with cancer in 2011, we created a blog to be able to share his battle with our family and friends. You can read about it here. It was great to share my dad's progress and to hear from so many people who had touched my dad's life.
Again, thank you.
I love you all.
Janis
This blog has a slightly different purpose. Our goal in starting this blog is to provide a place where we can record notes and stitches about my mom. Notes in the form of music, letters, reminders, stories, recipes, etc. And stitches in the form of fabric, quilts, and sewing, but also in the form of stitching your life back up, and moving forward. Because that is who my mom is.
I love you, mom.
Amy
