UPDATE 9/15!!!!! My mom and aunt just had to take my grandmother to the hospital

Apparently my grandmother has had a lump in her breast for 15 yrs and never told anyone or got it checked (how and why I dont know) and now her breast is bleeding. I am waiting to hear from my mom about what the dr's say but I can't imagine it is good. Has anyone every heard of anything like this?


UPDATE 9/15

My mother got home from the hospital a little while ago and my grandmother has stage 4 breast cancer. Apparently she found a lump 15 years ago, about 2 years after my grandfather died, and figured it was cancerous and she would "go quick" as she said and be with my grandfather again. She never expected to live this long. My mother said she is ok with it. She refused chemo but agreed to do radiation. The mass grew to be so big it literally broke through her skin. They found 2 nodes in her lungs but need to do further testing to see if they are cancerous and are also going to check if it spread to her lymph nodes. But I am confused b/c I thought stage 4 is when it has already spread to other areas of the body? She is at the cancer center at Stoneybrook. The dr's need to determine where the cancer started, where it has spread to, her prognosis and than they will further discuss treatment. I am actually extrememly surprised she even agreed to the radiation. My grandmother is extremely stubborn, obviously.

I am just so flabbergasted how she could have this huge lump on her breast for so long and not say anything or do to a dr. She never had a mammogram. I guess it is a generational thing. She is 82 has seen her children grow and have children, have watched her grandchildren grow up, watched 2 of her grandchildren (myself included) get married and than watched one of her grandchildren (me) have a baby making her a great grandmother. She feels like her life is complete. She lived longer than most do and has experienced more in her life than most do. She has also suffered from macular degeneration of her eyes for years and has surgery on them constantly just to keep her sight. My grandmother is extremely independent and starting to lose her sight has taken away alot of that independence. It's strange though b/c myself, my parents, my cousins, aunts and uncles are extremeley upset but haven't really "broken down" yet. I guess we have all prepared ourselves at some point and realized nanny is getting older and wouldnt be around forever. I think we are also extremely confused and flawed at the fact this has been going on for so long and she never said anything. But my grandmother is an extremely unselfish person. She probably figured my cousins were in college, I was engaged and got married and had a baby and saying something would take away from the joy of all of that b/c everyone would be upset she was sick. I also wonder what would have happened if she did say something and went to the dr. long ago. Sometimes when they operate on cancerous masses the cancer spreads quicker. Maybe by not saying anything and not getting treated it allowed her to live longer. It is just crazy for me b/c the woman never even gets a cold. How is that possible? To have cancer and never be ill.

I will keep you all updated. I am going to go to the hospital today. I think once I am there and see her it will become more real to me. I just also dont understand that all this time in a way she wanted this...she was never the same after my grandfather died. She cries about him today the way she did when he died 16 years ago. She told the dr "usually when 1 spouse dies the other follows" which is what I guess she expected and in a way wanted. I asked my mother if they called psych services on her

Thank you everone for your prayers and well wishes. I will update you later on!

Message edited 9/15/2007 8:33:09 AM.

Re: My mom and aunt just had to take my grandmother to the hospital

I haven't but hugs & prayer to you & your grandmother.

Re: My mom and aunt just had to take my grandmother to the hospital

Oh my...I never heard of anything like this, so I have no advice. Just wanted to send some and your way.

Re: My mom and aunt just had to take my grandmother to the hospital

I haven't heard anything about this...wanted to send some higs and prayers

Re: My mom and aunt just had to take my grandmother to the hospital

im a mammographer and unfortunately i hear about it all the time.. Im sorry to hear about your Aunt. I send nothing but BEST WISHES for her and your family...

Re: My mom and aunt just had to take my grandmother to the hospital

oh no!

I hope everything turns out okay

Re: My mom and aunt just had to take my grandmother to the hospital

Re: My mom and aunt just had to take my grandmother to the hospital

I've never heard of this but I send all my prayers to your family, please keeps us updated.

Re: My mom and aunt just had to take my grandmother to the hospital

Omg, I'm so sorry!!!!!!

Many prayers for your grandmother!!!!

Re: My mom and aunt just had to take my grandmother to the hospital

Re: My mom and aunt just had to take my grandmother to the hospital

Unfortunatly alot woman could have a lump for many years and not address it.. Denial.. they chose not to do anything about it, and maybe it will go away... Thats why self breast exams are very important and routine mammograms are too..


I dont want to say the wrong thing. Bleeding is not a good thing and it needs to be addressed. I dont want to upset you and i say just keep up good thoughts and wait and see what the hospital says.

Re: My mom and aunt just had to take my grandmother to the hospital

Re: My mom and aunt just had to take my grandmother to the hospital

Re: My mom and aunt just had to take my grandmother to the hospital

Re: My mom and aunt just had to take my grandmother to the hospital

I'm so sorry...

Re: My mom and aunt just had to take my grandmother to the hospital

Re: My mom and aunt just had to take my grandmother to the hospital

Re: My mom and aunt just had to take my grandmother to the hospital

Re: My mom and aunt just had to take my grandmother to the hospital

Re: My mom and aunt just had to take my grandmother to the hospital

Re: My mom and aunt just had to take my grandmother to the hospital

Re: UPDATE!!!!! My mom and aunt just had to take my grandmother to the hospital

BUMP FOR UPDATE AT TOP!

Re: UPDATE 9/15!!!!! My mom and aunt just had to take my grandmother to the hospital

I will continue to pray for your grandmother!

Message edited 9/15/2007 8:46:38 AM.

Re: UPDATE 9/15!!!!! My mom and aunt just had to take my grandmother to the hospital

contiuned prayers for your family

Re: UPDATE 9/15!!!!! My mom and aunt just had to take my grandmother to the hospital

Im so sorry. I hope there is some help for her.