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Breast cancer return

phebie
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I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019 and have been treated with Letrozole for the past 5 years and the cancer had shrunk but has now returned, from 1mm to 11mm. My Oncologist says that Letrozole has lost its effectiveness, so now due for Lymph Node biopsy next week and then surgery.

i have managed to ignore the cancer as I had to nurse my husband in 2022 for nine months due to a major accident and he passed away just before the Queen. I am 80 and have worked almost continuously except during lockdown but am also disabled (compression fracture and scoliosis and joint issues due to Letrozole) which affects my mobility. The left breast is affected but I need to use my left arm to pull myself up stairs, turn over in bed and use a Walker. I gather the surgery will affect the mobility of my left arm for a number of weeks or even months. I do regular chair exercises but have issues with standing and walking.

is there any advice out there to help me with a coping mechanism as I only have a part-time carer (my son) and there are certain personal things I can’t ask him to deal with.

Any advice would be welcome. What annoys me most is that my sister just turned 90 on Saturday and she’s more spritely than I am!

  • Hello there and thanks for posting

    I am sorry to hear about the loss of your husband and the situation you now find yourself in.

    As you say there can be some side effects from any type of treatment and it can take time to adjust back to a level of normality afterwards. Everyone is different so how one person is affected will look different to someone else.

    Unfortunately no one can say how you will be after surgery and to what degree you may need additional help and support. However it is best to be prepared for any eventuality in advance just to be on the safe side. We have a section of information titled what happens after breast surgery so do take a look at this.

    Your specialist or breast care nurse will go through the surgery with you and the do's and don'ts as well as what to expect after surgery. At the same time I would discuss the concerns you have about how you will cope physically with everyday activities after your operation. If needed they can arrange for you to be referred to any relevant services for an assessment of needs. This may include a social worker, occupational therapist and/or physiotherapist. They may be able to provide advice, equipment and highlight any areas that need addressing.

    It may also be worth looking up local cancer support charities and organisations through the cancer care map website to find out what may be available to you. Most cancer hospitals have a cancer support centre, these may be named Macmillan support centre's, or Maggie centres, that are dotted up and down the country, you can search up these up on the Macmillan site. These services can also provide or sign post you to relevant support in your local area.

    I hope this is of some use to you and wish you well in and after surgery. Do get back if you need to, you are also welcome to give us a call on 0808 800 4040 weekdays 9-5 if you prefer.

    Take care

    Naomi

  • Offline in reply to CRUK Nurse Naomi

    Thankyou so much for your reply and reassuring words. Luckily I have healed very well after surgery  in the past but obviously a cancer diagnosis is scary as it’s not in our family so have not been around anyone with issues. 
    I must admit that after watching the Paralympics, it has put things in perspective as there is always someone who has experienced something worse and come out on top. I’m not the sort to crawl into a corner with a duvet over my head so it’s onwards and upwards and I’ll see what help is available.

    Many thanks

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