Breast cancer runs several generations in my family. At the end of last month my mom found a lump through self examination. Since then she has seen countless doctors and I had gone with her. I am now in my second week of master's school (though I am only 1 and 1/2 hours drive away from her) and am having to cope with some incredibly hard news.

Yesterday she called and told me she had stage 1 breast cancer. It was heartbreaking for me. Then I was called again today and told she has triple negative breast cancer. I am not too familiar with medical terms and functions (I have a serious phobia), but I have been reading several articles hoping to find some peace.

It doesn't seem real, I have cried numerous times, but I am finding it so hard to understand this. I feel like the medical technology we have today is so advance she will get treatment and will be alright. I want to be with her and help her any way I can. I feel so terrible. Should I stay in school? How long will the road be?

What is everyone's experience with this sort of thing? I want her to know I am will support her no matter what. She has done so much for me; I want to always be there for her as well. 

I am so sorry that your family is having to deal with this.  First off breath, it seems that you have already been such a support for your mom already. Don't go making any rash decisions right now, your mom would probably agree. There is a lot to process for your family.

Although TNBC is very scarey a lot of us do survive and do pretty well with treatments. We get through it. Since you went with your mom to lots of doctors appointments, I am wondering if she

 had genetic counseling and testing for the BRCA 1& 2genes? It might help if you post what things have been discovered in order for some of us to give our input. Chemotherapy, surgery and radiation is all we really have to battle this type of breast cancer. Some of us have had neoadjuvent therapy (chemo before surgery to see if tumor is reacting to the chemo), and some of us have had surgery first. 

Your family will get through this, I know it feels like a tornado just came into your family and messed everything up, and it is o.k and completely understandable to feel the way you all are feeling.  Just talk to your mom, share your hearts and feelings. 

I suggest if your family hasen't already....get a note book for writing all questions and appointment notes down. It is best if someone goes with mom to the appointments as a second set of ears, often times our brains shut down and it feels so surreal when we are sitting there and such important things are being discussed. Kinda like a dear caught in the head lights. 

We are here for you, mom in any way that you feel. We yell, scream, cry, rant , laugh you name it, we do it on this forum. No judgments what so ever.

If you do have any info please share, for the ears out there to see.

In my thoughts,

Natalie