Posted , 2 users are following.
Hi, my friend is half way through chemo ( lumps in both breasts Nd under both arms) they have had to stop chemo because it is affecting her heart. She is due to have a double mastectomy within the next 6 weeks, what are her chances of a full recovery, I am very worried, she has been through such a lot in the last 12 months.
LIza
0 likes, 3 replies
We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.
sandra54321 hip_well
Posted
Sorry to say, it is impossible to say if your friend will make a full recovery. is she Herceptin positive? that usually effects the heart. Until your friend has had a mastectomy, they cannot know the true extent of her breast cancer.
I hope she is getting lots of support, there are a lot of groups out there, if she needs any support groups, please ask her to contact me, l can hopefully point her in the right direction. In the meantime Breast Cancer Care have an amazing forum. Along with an online breast cancer nurse.
hip_well sandra54321
Posted
Yes she is Herceptin positive, her heart function dropped to 61% however having stopped the chemo for several weeks the heart function is better, so the heart specialist has said lets go with the operation, she has had another chemo session yesterday and now has to wait for a date.
its so worrying with the lumps under her arms as well, and she had mouth cancer 2 years ago.
sandra54321 hip_well
Posted
Hi Liza
yes the heart function often recovers itself, so that is 'good' I don't know why some oncologists go with the chemo first, hoping it will shrink the tumours, I expect because your friend has the cancer in both breasts.
When you say it is under both arms too, do you mean it has spread into the axillary lymph nodes in both arms or are there actual tumours in the axillary lymph nodes.
My cancer had spread to 14/16 of my nodes in my axillary nodes, which isn't good. A friend's had spread to 29/30 that was 16 years ago and likewise she is still here and doing well. I am sure both you and your friend know Herceptin cancer is more aggressive.
From what I know, mouth cancer isn't connected in any way to breast cancer.