Hello JJ and welcome to 'The Club'  that no-one ever wants to join.   You certainly DO have a mountain to climb, but you will get there, I  promise you.  The thought of an 8 hour op is certainly daunting, but as soon as the operating team put you under, the next thing you know,  you are waking up in bed and it is all over.  I have had to have a couple of ops because of this terrible disease, and just like you, I was terrified both times, but you are in safe hands.  It is entirely natural that you feel frightened........you would not be human if you wasn't.   I am also awaiting a date time for an op to remove another tumour from my breast, and like you, I keep wondering how much more of it I can take, but we WILL get through it.......we are stronger than we think,  Good luck JJ, I will keep you in my prayers, xx