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Prayers, my friend. Strength and encouragement for your entire family.

Thinking of you, sweet friend

Lots of love to you. My grandma was a 2x breast cancer survivor and passed away in her 80s from an unrelated issue

Oh man, hugs. My mom is a breast cancer survivor (and my MIL an ovarian cancer survivor). With my mom, she never had a lump but the cancer was quite aggressive and advanced when they found it and she immediately had a lumpectomy, many lymph nodes removed and a long sets of radiation and chemo treatments. The treatments made her VERY ILL; I was in high school at the time and I vividly remember how sick she was after every treatment. She lost all her hair, which I think is hard for most women. She was then required to be on a daily med (can’t remember the name) for 10 years after.

What’s been most frustrating (once the initial scares were over, etc., obviously) has been the cost of the “maintenance” drugs for breast cancer which she had to take for 10 years after the surgery/radiation/chemo. It has cost my parents, who have had private employer-paid insurance the entire time, somewhere between $10k and $20k every single year in out of pocket expenses alone for the co-pay for the drugs she NEEDS and has to have. It was a constant battle with the insurance company over what pills would be covered, how much they would be covered, etc. It has been a non-stop, money-sucking battle. So, just an FYI as that was certainly an unexpected battle for our family following the horrendous battle that is chemo and other treatments.

Luckily, there have been many advances made fighting and treating breast cancer and there are some really fabulous support networks.

I'm so so sorry. Cancer sucks. I hope your mom's cancer treatment goes as well as it can go. Thinking of you all.

I'm so sorry. My mom battled liver cancer for over 3 years before finally passing. I hope your mom has a better prognosis, but either way, here are some of my tips:

- Be as gentle as you can on yourself, on her, and on the rest of your family. These situations can really put people on edge.

- Try to spend as much time with her as you can afford right now.

- But on the flip side, try to take time for yourself to re-group when you need it. Also watch your mental health (I had to see a therapist for anxiety issues and insomnia while my mom was going through this).

- Try to distribute tasks to family members based on their strengths. My dad always dealt with insurance and the hospital and that type of stuff. I managed a website for my mom (where I could update her friends and our family on her health). My brother got trained to give her an IV for when she was at home and needed it. Make sure it is not all falling on one person, and try to keep the burden from your mom as much as you can while she is undergoing treatments.

Hugs and hope her treatment goes smoothly.

Oh man. Praying for peace and health for you, your mom and your family

I'm so sorry. I will be praying for your mom and your family.

I'm so sorry to hear this!!

Sending lots of love to you and your family.

I'm so sorry! I will be praying for your mom and family.

Hugs and
My father was diagnosed with bladder cancer 2 years ago and the prognosis was not good but now it has been a year since he had his bladder removed and he is doing great. I think we all prepared for the worst and are amazed at how well he is doing. He delayed the surgery at first because of the risks and opted for chemo but after many rounds of chemo - the cancer was still there and surgery (removal of bladder) or no treatment were the only choices.
After he had his bladder removed, he was depressed/in mourning a little bit because part of him was gone but I feel like a month after that he was not depressed about that any more.
I will be thinking of you during this difficult time!

So much love to you and your family

I'm so sorry. Sending love and good thoughts.

I'm sorry... hoping for the best outcome. I know someone who battled this cancer a few years ago and is doing so much better now. It's a scary experience for the patient - there is so much uncertainty when the diagnosis is made, and I think all those thoughts you're forced to confront when you don't know where you stand stick around long after the cancer is gone. It's natural to be afraid, but do what you can to take her mind off it, make sure you also have support, and hang in there...

I am so sorry <3. Both of my parents are cancer survivors and I think just hearing the word puts fear into everyone. I don't have a whole lot of advice except to make sure you continue to communicate and spend as much time with her as you can, but also know that she may need her space.

@tinyperson: prayers for your MIL

Sending many hugs your way. I have a lump I am getting tested again next week, followed by surgery regardless of the outcome as breast cancer runs in my family. I have just started with the general websites to try to learn about the procedure and recovery. One thing my coworker told me was to be kind to myself. There is so many feelings and emotions. Maybe a book of uplifting quotes for when times are rough, and check with the doctor but honestly something relaxing the day before surgery if you can. I saw on the news that patients had better treatment outcomes when they were relaxed and less stress. They had the patients using adult coloring books while in the hospital to help relieve stress. Your mom may find a care kit a welcome relief. I'm rambling. Sorry. I'm scared myself. Many ((hugs)) and prayers your way.

I'm so sorry, that is definitely scary. I hope everything turns out ok!