It has spread to her lymph nodes, liver (biopsy conclusive) and maybe bone and lung (no further biopsies done in this area, but scans showed some small spots in her lungs). The tumor is HER2 +3. She looks to us to help her make the decision on potential treatment options. The two options brought up at the Oncology visit was Herceptin only Herceptin along w/a low dose of Taxol. She is a diabetic on no diabetic meds. She also has been diagnosed w/Afib. She did o.k. on her recent echo cardiogram. She has definitely gotten weaker over the years due to the aging process. However, amazingly, she does currently have a strong desire to do something to fight back the disease and she wants treatment. The Oncologist at first was thinking of Herceptin (which is what her breast surgeon suggested at first) only, but thinks she is up to doing the Herceptin/low dose Taxol treatment (noticing her will to want to live) . She looks to us for guidance, and we would appreciate getting some feedback on whether we should encourage her desire and effort to stay alive longer, or help her steer her away from the suggested treatment option of Herceptin + low dose of Taxol?
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Q: We are struggling to help and support our mother, 87, Stage 4 metasticized Breast Cancer.
If your mother wants to try the Herceptin plus low-dose Taxol, then it makes sense to give it a try. It's easier to start it and stop if it causes heart damage or other side effects, than it is to wish she had tried it later. Compared to some other treatment options, this one will have fewer side effects. With Stage IV cancer, probably the best that can be done will be to stabilize the disease; but that could buy her several more years. At age 87, she knows what she is willing to do to extend her life if possible. Of course, you, your mother, and her doctor will want to have a frank conversation about how much benefit she is likely to get from the Herceptin plus Taxol. I wish you all the best as you go through this decision-making process.
It's wonderful that she has so many people to help her. Healthy people won't need to stay away. The Taxol will lower her immune system. I don't think the Herceptin will. So anyone with a cold or other illness should stay away. Washing hands before touching Grandma or her food would be a good idea. Do talk to the doctor about the risks of the treatment itself. It sounds like your mother is willing to gamble on this because doing nothing means that her life will definitely be shortened. Getting all the information about risks and benefits will help her make the best decision.
What about the port? My husband and I want to take her to the beach for the weekend and we were told caution should be taken because of the port itself. The port is being inserted tomorrow. Treatment, if she decides to go through it, doesn't start until next week. We so want to give her a pleasant weekend. Should there be any concern about her going out to dinner or being around people over the weekend w/the newly inserted port?
No, the port will be fine. When she has it inserted, ask the nurse to give you complete instructions about how it should be taken care of. Generally, just keeping it clean and dry should be fine. Enjoy the beach! PJH
Thank you so much for the info. We so want to give her a fun time at the beach before starting treatment and didn't want to restrict her from going.
Regards
As PJ says, there should be no problem with the port. Ask the doctor what kind of anesthesia she will be having for the insertion. It takes some people a long time to be fully alert after anesthesia. Keep in mind that a diabetic 87 year old may have a different healing time than younger people. As you go through this process, you will have to have a lot of flexibility. So head on out to the beach, but recognize that she may need extra rest. Of course, as with any incision, she will need to keep it clean and dry. Have fun at the beach! I always find the ocean to be such a healing place, and I'm sure a little break from medical procedures will be a relief for everyone.
Yea! Thanks for the confirmation on getting her away for a few days at the beach. She has amazingly done very well with the lymph node, breast and liver biopsies. You would have never known she had anything done after these procedures. She's apparently a good healer. Hopefully things will be the same w/the insertion of the port.
Her healing from the port will probably be similar to the way she healed from the other procedures.
Good to know. Thanks for your encouragement and guidance.
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Thank you for your prompt reply and appreciate having your opinion since we were all leaning toward encouraging her to go through the process mostly because of her will to live. We go this afternoon to the Oncologist office to become educated on the Herceptin + low dose Taxol treatment and potential side effects. If she decides to go through the treatment, our next concern is the port they will put in on this Thursday to facilitate the treatment. She has a large extended family of children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and this presents a new issue/question. Mostly all 13 grands and their children of various ages stop by off and on to spend time with her. She is very close and much loved by a large extended family. First question: Do young visitors need to stay away from her when she gets the port along with any adult who may be coming down with sonething? Second question: Taking it one step further, will family have to stay away as she receives the treatments?