I am beyond sad -- there are no words right now

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP I am so sorry about your younger sister. I lost my beloved stepmom of 30+ years last April to brain cancer and my youngest sister 10 years ago. It is a horrible cancer to have and I'm sure I don't have to tell you to spend as much time with her as you want/can from this second on...it will probably be very quick.

I haven't read the other posts but you mentioned your family has a strong history of cancer - have you looked in to the HNPCC gene? Many in my family have it and we tested at Georgetown for it (which is good and convenient). It can involve pretty much any cancer between the brain and the ovaries and many family members with cancer at young ages who die from it - it's not just colon cancer, despite the name.

Again, I'm sorry for your situation.

Thank you. I'm not familiar with this gene, although I know about BRCA and my sister tested negative for this. I will look into this further. Obviously, I'm scared about my own health risks but right now I'm focused on my sister and her situation. Thanks again, OP

[Anonymous]

Thinking of you and your sister, OP.

[Anonymous]

From a genetics perspective, you have reason to worry. I would ask to get a physical & maybe a genetics referral.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:From a genetics perspective, you have reason to worry. I would ask to get a physical & maybe a genetics referral.

Wow, kind of blunt dont you think?

[Anonymous]

OP
Your sister has breast cancer with brain metastasis.
It's not brain cancer.

I am very sorry. God bless.
It's a very difficult time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sending good thoughts and wishes out to you, OP.

I have a very dear friend in her 80's who I have worked weekly in a volunteer organization. For over 2.years. she has been having health problems for a while that the doctors said they could not pin down. They looked at their test results and did not address the sharp visceral pains she was complaining about. Finally this summer they told her she had liver cancer (they had been concentrating on kidney problems for over a year) and put her on an aggressive chemo regimen. She deteriorated rapidly and in September they told her she was in end stage liver failure aas the cancer had consumed a significant part of her liver and was given days/weeks to live. The hospital could only administer her the chemo and could not administer morphine for the pain, so she opted to go home for in-home hospice care where she could get morphine administered for the pain. She went home and spent two weeks getting many visitors to say her goodbyes and completely stopped her chemo and was only taking doses of morphine as needed for the pain. She was not expected to see Halloween. But after about 5 weeks her physical health picked up from being off of the chemo. In mid-November she came back to our weekly event (as a participant, not a volunteer) and has made st several weeks. She recently made unexpected Christmas plans to visit her son and grandkids out of town and her hospice care has made arrangements with a hospice care group near the sons house to attend to her needs. We all know she can go at any time, but we are so grateful to have the extra days and weeks with her.

I hope that you have more time than you expect with your sister.

This is an encouraging story. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

This is OP. My sister's condition is declining. She is home on hospice since before Christmas and it seems she is reaching the end of her life. I was able to be with her a few days ago and to tell her that I loved her. I'm pretty sure I won't have the chance to see her again. It is just so hard to let go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. My sister's condition is declining. She is home on hospice since before Christmas and it seems she is reaching the end of her life. I was able to be with her a few days ago and to tell her that I loved her. I'm pretty sure I won't have the chance to see her again. It is just so hard to let go.

OP, You are fortunate that you have been able to spend this special time with her. Hugs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. My sister's condition is declining. She is home on hospice since before Christmas and it seems she is reaching the end of her life. I was able to be with her a few days ago and to tell her that I loved her. I'm pretty sure I won't have the chance to see her again. It is just so hard to let go.

I'm the PP with the friend in her 80's. OP, while I am very sorry to hear that your sister is deteriorating, I am glad that you were able to get some time with her to tell her you love her and to spend time with her. Sending good thoughts to your family.

[Anonymous]

So sorry OP - there are grief support groups if you need it. hugs to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is the OP, she has stage 4 breat cancer metastasis to the brain. In addition to several brai lesions she has Leptomeningeal carcinoma, meaning the breast cancer cells are in her cerebrospinal fluid and coating the outside of her brain. It is a very aggressive cancer. She probably had just a few weeks to live.

This is how my grandmother died. And then my grandfather got brain cancer. I am so sorry. It is so hard.

[Anonymous]

I'm so sorry, OP. How difficult this is. I was very grateful to the support hospice provided my loved one. I hope you and your family found it helpful as well. Hugs.

[Anonymous]

OP - do check yourself out thoroughly - take care of your sister and yourself.

[Anonymous]

My condolences OP. I hope that having been able to spend some recent time with your sister will give you a bit of comfort.

[Anonymous]

My daughter, a dietician at a cancer hospital, is home visiting for the first time since starting a year ago. Just this morning, she was tearing up while telling me about one of her patients she just lost to breast cancer that had metastasized into her brain. The suffering her patient's partner faced watching the decline had me near tears and now, reading your posts, I wish there were some way to ease your pain. Hugs to you.