# My Mom's Cancer--We Move On To A Brain Tumor **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 2, 2005, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-moms-cancer-we-move-on-to-a-brain-tumor/333836 "2005-12-02T23:55:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-moms-cancer-we-move-on-to-a-brain-tumor/333836/1 "2005-12-02T23:55:45Z")
They hid this from me. Mom starts Radiation on Monday. Tumor is _supposedly_ small, 1-3mm, but I’m not certain they’re telling me the truth. I walked through the door, & didn’t even have the time to put my Messenger Bag down. Her left forebrain. ---
**Author:** ![Scribble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scribble/32/3317_2.png) [@Scribble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scribble)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-moms-cancer-we-move-on-to-a-brain-tumor/333836/2 "2005-12-02T23:57:47Z")
You have my best wishes in this, **Bosda**. I hope your mom comes through this OK, that the radiation therapy does what it’s supposed to as quickly as possible, and that she never, ever, ever comes out of remission. I know we don’t know each other, really, but… {{{{{{{{Bosda}}}}}}}} ---
**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-moms-cancer-we-move-on-to-a-brain-tumor/333836/3 "2005-12-03T00:10:30Z")
{{{ **Bosda** }}} {{{{ **Bosda’s Mom** }}}} ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-moms-cancer-we-move-on-to-a-brain-tumor/333836/4 "2005-12-03T00:11:38Z")
Damn dude… Strength & peace from here… ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-moms-cancer-we-move-on-to-a-brain-tumor/333836/5 "2005-12-03T00:12:54Z")
Dad just told me they’ve known for 2 days. Supposedly, they’ve caught it early. ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-moms-cancer-we-move-on-to-a-brain-tumor/333836/6 "2005-12-03T02:39:55Z")
I’m relieved they found it early. This must be really scarey for everyone. Courage for you, friend, and good health in the New Yeark for your mom. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-moms-cancer-we-move-on-to-a-brain-tumor/333836/7 "2005-12-03T03:03:40Z")
Fuck. ---
**Author:** ![Millit\_the\_Frail](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/51bf81/32.png) [@Millit\_the\_Frail](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Millit_the_Frail)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-moms-cancer-we-move-on-to-a-brain-tumor/333836/8 "2005-12-03T03:55:13Z")
☹ All the best to you and your family. Keep hope and support each other lots… ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-moms-cancer-we-move-on-to-a-brain-tumor/333836/9 "2005-12-03T04:05:05Z")
Sorry to hear this. I’m sure few things can be as chilling as hearing the words “brain tumor”. However, remember there is always hope. Here’s a webpage with some stories of brain tumor survivors that might be of some encouragement: [http://www.virtualtrials.com/survive.cfm](http://www.virtualtrials.com/survive.cfm) If you think you might want a second opinion, here’s a list of some of the most high-volume brain tumor hospitals in the country: [http://www.tbts.org/itemDetail.asp?categoryID=398&itemID=16501](http://www.tbts.org/itemDetail.asp?categoryID=398&itemID=16501) Obviously I’m not in any position to speculate on the care your mother in particular is getting. I just thought I’d mention the idea of a second opinion because, towards the end of my father’s life (although his problem was with serious diabetes complications/heart problems, not cancer) we found that getting a second opinion from a world-renowned heart hospital made a major difference in his treatment compared to what he had been offered at the local hospital back home. Just some ideas. I wish you and your family the best! ---
**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-moms-cancer-we-move-on-to-a-brain-tumor/333836/10 "2005-12-03T04:40:54Z")
((((hugs)))) I will keep your mom in my thoughts and prayers , and I truly hope she pulls thru this OK ! Anna ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-moms-cancer-we-move-on-to-a-brain-tumor/333836/11 "2005-12-03T05:31:28Z")
I am sorry to hear you news. Sending healing thoughts her way. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-moms-cancer-we-move-on-to-a-brain-tumor/333836/12 "2005-12-03T05:49:38Z")
My thoughts are with you, **Bosda**. My e-mail’s in my profile, should you ever want to chat. ---
**Author:** ![Ink\_a\_dink\_a\_dink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ec9cab/32.png) [@Ink\_a\_dink\_a\_dink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ink_a_dink_a_dink)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-moms-cancer-we-move-on-to-a-brain-tumor/333836/13 "2005-12-03T08:17:16Z")
I’m sorry, I must’ve missed a previous discussion - she’s had other bouts of cancer? And this latest has manifested/metastasized as a brain tumor? How horrendous. I can’t even imagine. It does remind me that many brain tumors are diagnosed as benign, and if they’ve not done a biopsy already, I am sending out good thoughts that the results will turn would well. If they HAVE done the biopsy and it is cancerous or pre-cancerous, can they do removal/excision as opposed to chemo, which can be stressful on a person whose immune system may already be compromised by previous bouts of chemo? (As I said, i am not fully up to date on the health history.) However your situation is, please know that I have added you to my list of folks who need good, positive thoughts and energies directed their way with whatever spirituality I have. I don’t know if it can actually be called prayer, but my thoughts are with you all, and my dreams and hopes for a quick recovery. You have my sympathy, which doesn’t do much, I am sure, but I hope it helps a little to know that someone out there is thinking of you at any given time. That’s why this board is such a cool place. We take shifts in watching over our own. Utmost respect and best wishes, Inky ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-moms-cancer-we-move-on-to-a-brain-tumor/333836/14 "2005-12-03T13:08:31Z")
Well, we have to cope with the fact that Mom is a breast cancer survivor. And other tumors will happen. Thank heavens they caught it early. My brothers & sister are all upset, but keeping it together better than I am. ---
**Author:** ![FlyingRamenMonster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@FlyingRamenMonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyingRamenMonster)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-moms-cancer-we-move-on-to-a-brain-tumor/333836/15 "2005-12-03T14:20:54Z")
Man. Hope she’s okay. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/779978/32.png) [@Amazon\_Floozy\_Goddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amazon_Floozy_Goddess)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-moms-cancer-we-move-on-to-a-brain-tumor/333836/16 "2005-12-03T18:15:20Z")
{{{squeezes **Bosda** }}} Hope everything will come out all right. I know what it’s like to have someone close to you with cancer. Best wishes. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2005, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-moms-cancer-we-move-on-to-a-brain-tumor/333836/17 "2005-12-03T18:23:36Z")
I am sorry to hear this. Best wishes to you and your mom (and family) for a speedy recovery. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-moms-cancer-we-move-on-to-a-brain-tumor/333836/18 "2005-12-04T20:17:07Z")
I’m calmer now. Moments of panic, yesterday. ---
**Author:** ![ms.deanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b3f665/32.png) [@ms.deanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ms.deanna)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2005, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-moms-cancer-we-move-on-to-a-brain-tumor/333836/19 "2005-12-04T20:44:25Z")
May God bless and heal your Mom and may He give you and your family the strength to get through this tough time. Take Care, Deanna ---
**Author:** ![cerberus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@cerberus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cerberus)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2005, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-moms-cancer-we-move-on-to-a-brain-tumor/333836/20 "2005-12-05T04:53:30Z")
Understand that her brain lesion is most likely metastatic breast cancer. It’s _possible_ that she has a primary brain cancer, but most likely it’s stage IV recurrent breast cancer. This is a valid issue, since therapeutic measures in cancer depend heavily on the nature of the primary cancer. She needs follow-up for breast cancer, unless the oncologist/pathologist can show that it is not breast cancer. Breast cancer is breast cancer, wherever it may spread. It is important that they determine the primary organ of the cancer. Surgery may be an option here, as well as chemotherapeutics like herceptin. Radiotherapy can be very helpful, especially the gamma knife. Whole body scans may be useful to detect any other stage IV tumors that may be present, especially in the bones, kidneys or liver. But breast cancer does seem to have an affinity for metastasis to the brain. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-moms-cancer-we-move-on-to-a-brain-tumor/333836.md?page=2)