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I'm here, because I don't know what to do! I'm grieving the death of my mom, and this grief journey hasn't been kind to me! My mom was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015. A lumpectomy was performed, and she underwent a course of radiation therapy. She was told the radiation would heighten the chances of the breast cancer not returning. However, it came back! This time, she opted for the mastectomy. All was well for awhile, then out of nowhere she fractured her rib. It was at that time, she was diagnosed with Angiosarcoma, caused by the radiation therapy she had recieved from the breast cancer. My mom was never informed of the risk associated with radiation therapy which was upsetting because she said if she was informed of the risk, she would never have opted to do the radiation therapy. To make a long story short, my mom then underwent 90 days of chemotherapy, with another round of radiation. Nevertheless, 90days after treatment my mom lost her battle with Angiosarcoma, and recently passed away. The cancer had spread like wildfire! I don't understand why radiation therapy is a treatment option, if its known to cause Angiosarcoma, a rare but highly aggressive form of cancer! To add insult to injury, radiation was also given to her after being diagnosed with Angiosarcoma. If radiation causes Angiosarcoma, why would it even be considered as a treatment option? My advice to anyone who is diagnosed with cancer, is to please do your research, get a second opinion, put your trust in God, not in the health care system, to know this..."ITS YOUR LIFE, YOUR BODY, YOUR CHOICE!" So choose what you feel is best for you regardless of the outcome! I just had to get this off my chest, Thanks for listening! Any words of encouragement is helpful! Thanks in advance!
Replies to "I'm here, because I don't know what to do! I'm grieving the death of my mom,..."
Dear Dawnblair33,
I am so sorry for the loss of your Mom. What a long and painful journey for the both of you. I get so frustrated with the health care system and I always was the advocate for my Mom. She was a nurse, so she was pretty knowledgeable but as she aged, I had to take charge and speak up. She too had breast cancer - but in her 60's. They did a lumpectomy, radiation and then she took temoxifan - a cancer 'pill' for about a year. She recovered from the cancer but then in her late 70's after my father passed, she got dementia. This is what she died from, at 89, 5 years ago.
The pain from losing a parent, especially a mother, never goes away. It gets a bit easier, or rather you get "used" to it as the months and years go by, but the ache remains in the heart. I have pictures everywhere and think about her every hour. I know she would not want me suffering and thinking about her so much, but at the same time it's difficult.
I hope you can find solace in knowing that she is no longer suffering and in pain? It also helps to speak with others who have lost a mother. I know many of my friends lost their mothers much earlier than I lost mine, so I am grateful I had her until she was almost 90.
I find going for walks, especially around trees, birds, nature, helps my mind settle down. I have had pets, cats and dogs, which too have helped with depression and loss.
One minute at a time, sometimes, dawnblair, that's all we have to get through. Try not to look to far ahead...just think of all those cherished moments and smile.
Wishing you better days and moments.
Marcie
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You have been through hell and back. I don't know how you are breathing. Cancer is bad, the only saving grace is how the ppl around her act. I don't think I would like doom and gloom, I'm not saying your doing that. Anger at these doctors, and I use that term loosely, doesn't help. I'm sure each of us has horror stories to tell. But some kind of normalcy is needed. I have been in your shoes, my heart is hurting for you. God bless and prayers headed your way