Breast Cancer - Shreveport,LA

prayers to you & your family.

Hit the Komen (& others) website, & there will be great resources there to lead you thru the process.

CaringBridge.org is a great resource for communicating with friends/family as to updates. I used it with my son's hip replacement surgery....one post & the whole family knew what was up.

As for support: keep the house stocked with drinks & fav foods. Keep a support team readily-available. Be prepared for emotions...& embrace them! Don't hide them!

Create a hospital bag for her.....you will be amazed at how much of a difference it makes. I always include new toiletries, hand lotion, chapstick, soft Kleenex (not the rough hospital ones) or an antiq hankie, a puzzle book, a paperback...or Bible verses. Gum, mints, fresh fruit, pretzels....I also include PB, chocolate, & sometimes even beef jerky. A small neck pillow, a new robe/gown, new houseshoes. OH, & most importantly, a notebook/pen for jotting down all instructions!

When my son went thru his surgeries (4 for his hip) & my DH's heart surgery, I went loaded for bear! With each surgery, we adjusted what was needed in "the bag". It truly did help us get thru living at the hospital!

It is amazing how many changes have evolved in the field of breast cancer....so much easier on the patient! Thoughts & prayers sent your way.

Of course I will say a prayer for her. I am a 59 year old breast cancer survivor who has been fighting the disease for about 15 years. I have had surgery, resconstruction, chemo and radiation while working a fulltime job. Currently my cancer is under control with a once a month treatment that takes about 30 minutes.

Since the doctor feels they caught it early I would be encouraged. Right now she is afraid because she does not know what is coming. If you can, go with her to her appointments; two asking questions and listening to treatment options is a good thing.

My surgeon had my entire family come to his office to explain the history of fighting breast cancer, treatment options and surgery. Everyone was able to ask questions and he was supportative and kind with his answers.

Make sure she has answers to her questions and knows what she is facing. Stress, and fear of any type is not good for cancer patients. Knowledge about what she can expect will control the fear.

Treatment options are customized these days depending upon the cancer. Most important find a doctor you can trust and have faith in. Make sure they are willing to answer your questions.

I am sorry all of you are going through this but you can make it. I will be praying for you. Message me if it would help.

Praying for you and your family. My mom was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer and they removed the lump. She did chemo and radiation to make sure it was all gone. March of 2012 she will be breast cancer "free" for 5 years. The best advice I can give is to ALWAYS stay positive. Don't distance yourself from her, go about talking to her like you would normally do. I agree with what the other post say as well. I went to the doctor with my mom just so she wouldn't have to go at it alone. And don't hesitate to ask questions. I know the doctor probably wanted me to leave out the room...but hey thats my mom and I need to know everything!!!

I will def pray for you all!!

I'm a breast cancer survivor since 1995. I'll be praying for your MIL. Let your husband know that you're on his side and by his side while his mama goes through this. He may want to talk, or he may not want to (you know how men are).

When I was diagnosed, I took a take-no-prisoners attitude as far as the cancer was concerned - get it out and keep it out. If I had to do it again (and I hope I don't), I would still take the same stance. I was so thankful for friends who supported me with their encouragement. One of them in particular was there in person for me whenever I needed it (which meant changing her own schedule) and called frequently just to ask how I was doing.

Ask your MIL to ask the doctor for the details about what will happen now, so that she can share them with her concerned family. She knows you all will worry even if she tells you not to. Listen to your MILs concerns or fears, if she wants to share them with you, and be encouraging. Attitude plays a big role.

And yes, do the "hospital bag" thing that Sue suggested - it's great!

What an incredible response Sue gave you!!!! Such wonderful ideas! I would also like to add that when my uncle found out he had cancer, nutrition ended up being a big issue and my aunt had asked roar recipes. I called my sister in law's mother who had battled...and won...cancer twice-and she recommended a fantastic book called, The Cancer Survivor's Cookbook. It has fantastic recipes that are geared toward the nutritional needs of those battling cancer and going through different treatments, and it also gives methods of cooking that will make the food palatable through different stages....for example, if she ever gets mouth sorest during treatment. I would look into that, maybe. Best of luck to your family during this difficult time!!!!

http://www.mdanderson.org/

No advice, just my prayers AND my almost eighty year old mother is a breast cancer survivor of 37 years. Complete masectomy. And me, uterine cancer survivor, two years WOOOOHOOO! Give hubby a hug first, then mother in law for me, and you-I am so proud of you, you are the kind of woman that I would love in my daily life you care so much.

Just tell him you want to support him but you don't know what he needs. He will tell you.

Just be there for him, let him know that, when is wanting to talk-talk, when he needs your prescence-stop what you are doing & be his rock, don't get upset if he chooses to talk with his sister/mother instead of you. When he is ready he will come to you for whatever support, don't push him to 'talk it out', go on the 'puter to look for answers/info...DO be ready for any questions by learning all you can about breast cancer now...Prayers sent your way & to your DH & MIL.

My mom is going through chemo now, for breast cancer. She is doing really well, the best thing you can do is be there for you husband and MIL. Its hard and scary but if you all stick together you can make it through. Prayers with you.

My MIL was diagnosed in February of this year. She has since gone through a double mastectomy(sp?), radiation, and reconstruction. I just let my husband know I was there for him if he needed/wanted to talk. I did not push him at all because that only made it worse. I always stayed positive about her situation as well and that seemed to help him. Another thing that helped my husband was that he actually went to one of her appointments and the doctor explained exactly what was going on.
I am praying for all of you, and just remember to keep Faith that she can have a curable cancer. My MIL has a curable kind because she caught it early enough. The cancer was stage 1 and the doctor said when they are done with everything she will be a Stage 0 cancer! Just do not lose FAITH! It is possible to have a positive outcome. Feel free to message me if you have specific questions. Praying for you!!!

Mommapedia/source lost my response.

Contact the local cancer society and talk with a Reach to Recovery person who can answer your questions.

For your MIL get a journal so that she can write down her thoughts. There will be times that she will cry and it is okay it is part of the recovery. She will change her priorities what was important won't be and what wasn't will be. Your MIL is going to find inner strength she did not know she had in order to complete her journey.

The family as a whole has the cancer. By this you are all going to go through changes in your lives and how you handle stress and such.

Be there for her by doing some of the things she can't after surgery. Also know that she has many other friends and a new family of survivors to call upon for help and questions.

Get some info for hubby so that he can understand what is going to happen to his mom. He is lost because it is his mom and he feels helpless. It is normal. If he wants to cry let him (in the shower) or in the bedroom behind closed doors. Be there for him let him know that he can be in touch with his feminine side and all is okay. No one is going to point fingers.

I will keep your whole family in my thoughts this coming year. May you have peace and happniess.

The other S.
14 Year Breast Cancer Survivor
Reach to Recovery Representative

PS Do stop and smell the roses - they are beautiful!

My prayers go out to your MIL and the entire family.
Most important thing is to have FAITH, followed by family support. You can provide help by doing her weekly groceries, cooking healthy meals, maintaining a clean house. This can be very emotional, let her cry and talk, comfort her with your support.
As far as for your husband same thing- let him vent and cry if needed,support him and let him know that you are there for both of them.
BEST WISHES!