Hi there,

I have secondary breast cancer. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma.

It was widespread throughout both of my lungs and liver before I knew anything. That was back in 2011 when my initial prognosis was pretty poor. I had pleural effusion too. It wasn't nice. It was very hard for my kids too.

When you say about prognosis. Honestly. Truly. Nobody really knows for sure. And it can improve if the treatments work well.

My cancer is hormone receptive. I had initial palliative chemo to try to shrink it, and have been on hormone therapy ever since.

My advice to you would be to encourage your mum, to be there if she needs you, and to take her as your lead.

Everyone approaches this disease in different ways, and everyone's cancer is different. Your mum must be allowed to approach things in her own way.

I have seen things now from both sides; I'm now 53 and I lost my own mum to breast cancer when I was 25. Treatments in those days were pretty basic.

But modern treatments can often keep it stable for some long time.

My advice would be not to panic, to take it one day at a time, and follow your mum's wishes.

If you ever need to chat I'm always about.

Thinking of you and crossing my fingers things go well for you both,

Mary

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