# Breast cancer rears its ugly head **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 4, 2008, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breast-cancer-rears-its-ugly-head/455291 "2008-07-04T13:26:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2008, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breast-cancer-rears-its-ugly-head/455291/21 "2008-07-21T07:34:42Z")
My wife got back from Taiwan. The cousin was able to meet with one of the doctors, and we received a copy of the patient chart, which they keep in English. It’s not good. The lump is invasive, and about 10 cm in size. It has spread to both lungs and the lymph system and seems to be growing aggressively. I was mistaken when I first reported that it had spread to the ovaries. It hasn’t, but they removed them to stop the production of hormones. Reading on line, it seems that it’s not likely to be curable. Her doctor says that mean survival for someone her age and in her condition is 3 years, but with quite a wide range from a couple of months to 10 years. My wife is going in tomorrow for her check. She’s taken it understandably a bit rough, but is a real trouper. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2008, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breast-cancer-rears-its-ugly-head/455291/22 "2008-07-21T14:53:10Z")
Oh good Lord! This news sucks, and I’m sorry as hell to hear it. The one good thing I can see in all of this is that your wife has a strong, supportive, loving husband to lean on. I’ve been through some pretty rough stuff in my 24 years with my hubby, and cannot imagine how much harder it all would have been if he hadn’t been there to be my rock and my comfort. Hugs and good wishes to both of you! ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2008, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breast-cancer-rears-its-ugly-head/455291/23 "2008-07-21T16:45:09Z")
I’m so sorry to hear that. I hope your cousin will prove the doctors wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2008, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breast-cancer-rears-its-ugly-head/455291/24 "2008-07-21T22:32:23Z")
10 cm?!? Good God! I think I delivered my children through something that big… I am so sorry, you guys. You just keep having more and more put on your plates… ☹ ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2008, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breast-cancer-rears-its-ugly-head/455291/25 "2008-07-22T08:03:30Z")
My wife just got back from the doctor who said that the tiny lump in her left breast hasn’t changed from two years ago. It will go after the birth and then once breast feeding has finished. > [@norinew](#): > > The one good thing I can see in all of this is that your wife has a strong, supportive, loving husband to lean on. We cry together, so I’m not sure how strong I am, but at least two out of three isn’t bad. We’ve been really good about supporting each other. Sometimes one needs more support than another, and it’s mine turn to be there for her. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2008, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breast-cancer-rears-its-ugly-head/455291/26 "2008-07-22T08:26:44Z")
I just wish this bunch of non-existing strangers could be more closely there for you, **TP**. Use as needed: {{{{{{{{{}}}}}}}} ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2008, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breast-cancer-rears-its-ugly-head/455291/27 "2008-07-22T09:38:41Z")
Thank you much. It’s been quite theraputic writing on the boards. Death and illness is still a very sensitive issue for us, but we’re certainly grown together. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2008, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breast-cancer-rears-its-ugly-head/455291/28 "2008-07-22T11:19:57Z")
[QUOTE=TokyoPlayer] My wife just got back from the doctor who said that the tiny lump in her left breast hasn’t changed from two years ago. It will go after the birth and then once breast feeding has finished. [/QUOTE] Have her be cautious - pregnant is no time to remove a breast unless it can’t be helped, but breastfeeding masks changes and the hormones involved can accelerate some cancers. Breastfeeding is great, but not at the expense of letting something gone malignant grow. She should become best friends with her lump, so if it does change during this process steps can be taken asap. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Weird\_One](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@The\_Weird\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Weird_One)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2008, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breast-cancer-rears-its-ugly-head/455291/29 "2008-07-22T11:59:34Z")
**TokyoPlayer** , I’m so sorry. Big hugs to you and your wife. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2008, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breast-cancer-rears-its-ugly-head/455291/30 "2008-07-23T00:51:12Z")
[QUOTE=Dangerosa] Have her be cautious - pregnant is no time to remove a breast unless it can’t be helped, but breastfeeding masks changes and the hormones involved can accelerate some cancers. Breastfeeding is great, but not at the expense of letting something gone malignant grow. She should become best friends with her lump, so if it does change during this process steps can be taken asap. [/QUOTE] Thank you. It’s good advice. I can feel the lump (it’s about 1 cm) so I’ll just have to keep checking. Another good reason to be touching! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![mudkicker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d6d6ee/32.png) [@mudkicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mudkicker)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2008, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breast-cancer-rears-its-ugly-head/455291/31 "2008-07-23T01:06:00Z")
Really really sorry TokyoPlayer. You don’t know me, but I’ve been reading these boards for a while, and, as I spent two years in Tokyo, you’re one of the posters I always read with interest. Sorry to hear your news. ::hugs and best wishes:: mk ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2008, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breast-cancer-rears-its-ugly-head/455291/32 "2008-07-23T12:17:38Z")
[QUOTE=TokyoPlayer] We cry together, so I’m not sure how strong I am, but at least two out of three isn’t bad. We’ve been really good about supporting each other. Sometimes one needs more support than another, and it’s mine turn to be there for her. [/QUOTE] Crying does not mean you’re not strong! > [@](#): > > I can feel the lump (it’s about 1 cm) so I’ll just have to keep checking. Another good reason to be touching! My hubby and I both agree that if I ever develop a breast lump, he’s more likely to find it than I am! 😉 I only pat them puppies down once a month, he does it, well, several times a week. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2008, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breast-cancer-rears-its-ugly-head/455291/33 "2008-07-23T14:40:08Z")
[QUOTE=norinew] I only pat them puppies down once a month, he does it, well, several times a week. 😃 [/QUOTE] And after 24 years! No wonder you call him your rock! ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2008, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breast-cancer-rears-its-ugly-head/455291/34 "2008-07-23T15:54:54Z")
[QUOTE=TokyoPlayer] And after 24 years! No wonder you call him your rock! [/QUOTE] Indeed. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2016, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breast-cancer-rears-its-ugly-head/455291/35 "2016-03-18T16:39:10Z")
Resurrecting this thread to say that my sister-in-law is still going strong almost eight years later. My wife had her lump removed a couple of years ago, and it was benign. She’s pissed because she has a scar, but that was the least of my concerns. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2016, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breast-cancer-rears-its-ugly-head/455291/36 "2016-03-18T17:03:26Z")
Excellent to hear! ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2016, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breast-cancer-rears-its-ugly-head/455291/37 "2016-03-18T17:41:55Z")
Wonderful news! ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2016, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breast-cancer-rears-its-ugly-head/455291/38 "2016-03-18T17:47:57Z")
Also worth noting that she has outlived at least two of the posters in this thread, Gail and norinew. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2016, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breast-cancer-rears-its-ugly-head/455291/39 "2016-03-18T21:47:00Z")
Breast cancer can be beaten. My grandmother had a mastectomy at the age of 91 and lived to be not quite 108. ---
**Author:** ![pidgeon92](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/50afbb/32.png) [@pidgeon92](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pidgeon92)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2016, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breast-cancer-rears-its-ugly-head/455291/40 "2016-03-18T23:01:50Z")
> [@TokyoBayer](#): > > Resurrecting this thread to say that my sister-in-law is still going strong almost eight years later. Wow, this is great news. Had it actually spread as far as they originally thought? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breast-cancer-rears-its-ugly-head/455291.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breast-cancer-rears-its-ugly-head/455291.md?page=3)