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My mom is 93

Smick04
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having recently been diagnosed with breast cancer stage 2 in her left breast duct my mom has been given Letrozole.

five weeks on and she has severe pain in her left side and tired and breathless. After having a bone scan they’ve confirmed severe osteoporosis and now decided to change drug to Tamoxifen.

the change in my mom has been considerable since taking these tablets. I am not going to start her on Tamoxifen for a week to allow the others to get out of her system.

i am beside myself with worry and after being told by a breast cancer nurse that it will not be the cancer that my mom will die of at her age wonder if any drugs are beneficial ?

i just know that before she took any drugs she was ok and she’s gone downhill in last 5 weeks. Can anybody help me to decide what to do ? Thank you 

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    Hi ya ...

    Bless ya, this is not an easy one to answer, but all I can say is what I'd do if I were you ..

    I'd make the most of every day, because at that grand age and as someone who has osteoporosis and stenosis in my bones .. know the pain it causes ... and she sounds like she's been amazing to get so far .. I'd ask her, not others what she wants to do .. and if she really wants treatment , fare enough if that's her wish and not trying to please anyone else .. if she just wants to take each day as they come, then I'd respect that too .. everyone should be the one to choose their own path .. 

    Sometimes just being there to hold her hand is all we need to do ... I have breast cancer, and every step of the way, my family have supported me , in doing it my way ... if your mum can't communicate, I'd just op for pain relief ..  it's never easy walking this journey is one of the hardest we do .. I'm 64 and that's what I'd want , so sometimes look into your heart, and know what to do .. not so much what you want , but the easiest path for your mum ... 

    But the way forward is for your mum and you to agree on ... sending you a big hug .. Chrissie

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    Hi Smick,

    I totally agree with Chriss' advice.There is no point in having treatment that make you iller than you were originally, particularly if there is no sign of betterment. Go with what she wants, even if you are not too sure.

    I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer and taken both Tamoxifen and Letrozole, following a lumpectomy and then a double mastectomy.

    I didn't have radiotherapy or chemo. This upset my family a lot at first because they thought of these as cures for cancer. Having found out a little more about cancer, they now appreciate why I declined such treatment.

    Chriss is quite right in what she says.This is for your mum to decide with your help.

    Please let us know what treatment you decide upon. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

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