You are not alone! I was told officially last month that I have cancer in the breast and in at least 3 lymph nodes. My operation will take place next Wednesday.
I am eighty years old (81 next month) and was very surprised by the diagnosis because there has been no cancer in my family. I had pain under the arm and discomfort across the left breast but thought this could be inflammation of my ribcage. I suffer from fibromyalgia and chest pain is a common symptom but because it was something I had never experienced before I decided to see my GP. He thought it could be angina and prescribed a betablocker and aspirin. He also arranged blood tests and an ECG.Fortunately, he also suggested an X-ray which showed a lesion in the right lung! I then had to have a CT scan which confirmed the lesion was benign but that there was an abnormality in the left breast. Further tests followed which confirmed breast cancer! I count myself lucky that cancer was discovered (in a round about way) and I can have treatment.
I have tried to keep my mind off the operation by getting the garden in order, buying suitable non-wired bras, starting to order food online and generally sorting out household matters such as defrosting the freezer and storing up items which are needed while I recuperate. It is difficult to concentrate on the positive and at times, particularly at night, I feel a bit anxious. However, now I know that I won't have to wait much longer for the operation I am feeling more cheerful. I am sure you will be the same once you have been told the treatment plan and given a date for the procedure.
Thank you so much for your reply I could written it myself as to your plans garden freezer plans etc I will be 81in 3mths and yes nighttime’s are the worse with regards to over thinking everything.
i found my lump myself as I check due to close family history and sometimes I wish I hadn’t as Gp appointments and hospital visits are not what I want in my life ,but hey ho going forward it’s a small lump and no lymph nodes involved I had a second mammogram with dye just to be sure there is nothing hiding in my dense breast so waiting on that result.
The plan then is tablets to shrink it lumpectomy or mastectomy at the moment I am favouring the lumpectomy all this will be discussed at next meeting.
Thank you once again Anne for your reply it as helped me a lot and I am sending you all good wishes for your procedure on Wednesday and hoping you and me will be well and fit to enjoy our gardens this summer x
I had my lumpectomy and axillary node clearance operation last Thursday and am very pleased with the result. The left breast looks very similar to the right one because the surgeon lifted it slightly so there was no visible dent. I have been "stitched" with dermabond glue, as has the wound under the arm. I am now waiting for the biopsy result in two weeks' time but I am expecting chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy plus tablets because of the extent of the cancer. So, onwards we go! I am sure I shall be back to my normal self soon - plenty of gardening and driving husband around!
If you choose lumpectomy I am sure you will be surprised how good the breast looks after the operation. Surgeons can do wonders these days!
That’s good news to hear I was thinking about you and glad you have come through it and not long to wait for your results.
i am still undecided what to do lumpectomy and radiotherapy or mastectomy I don’t relish taking the tablets at all but will be guided by my consultant my lump is 2cms ER no lymph node involved so lumpectomy is the way to go ,will discuss it on the 22 nd
take care of yourself and wishing you a speedy recovery.
Hello Anne having a pre op assessment this Friday when the results are back will have a date for surgery, spoke with consultant this week and we agreed on a lumpectomy followed. by 5 sessions of radiotherapy and was pleased when she agreed that I would not after to take Letrozole as I told her that I really didn’t want to take the tablets ,
I saw my consultant yesterday and she advised me not to have chemotherapy because she thought the effects would do me more harm than good. The pathology report showed cancer in four lymph nodes (one more than expected) and the breast tumour also showed it was bigger than seen on the ultrasound scan. Although she could re-operate to give a better margin of clear tissue she said she did not wish to put me through another operation. She told me that three five day sessions of radiotherapy alongside hormone tablets to be taken for seven years would be the best option and I have decided to follow her advice.I won't be having radiotherapy for about eight weeks to allow the seroma swelling around the area of lymph node extraction to heal .Of course I was slightly upset by the pathology report but since I am about to be 81 I think I must accept that quality of life at my age should be considered first. I have just sorted out the batteries for my garden hedgecutters and hope to get to work on those ever-sprouting shrubs! So onwards towards a bit of normality at last.
I think your decision to concentrate on radiotherapy is a wise one and hope your operation goes well. Please keep in touch and let me know how you get on.
well we never know until the surgery as been done as to how things pan out do we , I said to the consultant that I hope she would get clear margins so as not to need more surgery but she said she couldn’t guarantee that , when I told her I didn’t want to take the tablets she did agree that the side effects could be unpleasant and given my age the 1% extra benefit they would give comes down to quality over quantity and as I am reasonable fit and active and as long as I have the 5 sessions of radiotherapy she was happy to agree .
So the waiting for appointments begins it seems the time spans are the same will be seen 6/8 weeks after surgery than 4/6 weeks before radiotherapy at least that is over in one week , so hopefully we can do some gardening in between I charged my hedge cut yesterday and today will mow my lawn I have a lite weight mower ,
Take care and go easy with the hedge trimming at our ages we have to know our capabilities but I do find it hard to slow down
I managed to trim a row of shrubs by the front garden wall and that is my lot for the day. We have no lawn so I only have to strim the weeds between the shrubs and trees with a nice battery Gtech strimmer. How did the mowing go? My weeds are usually wild violets, primroses and ivy which I deliberately propogate as ground cover. Now they have finished flowering I cut them down.
As regards a "clear margin" mine was slightly less than the 1mm required by NICE but at least it conforms to the American rule so I am not too bothered. As you point out we have to be careful at our age not to become fixated on rules and percentages. Living is the only thing we should aim for!
Waiting is not easy if appointments seem distant but at least we can get our gardens into shape!
Managed the mowing and planted up some pots of geraniums now relaxing with a book , I was cheeky and asked my consultant surgeon if I really had to have the radiotherapy as I didn’t even want that just wanted the lump removed it was pushing it having had her to agree to no tablets what am I like !
Did you come home the same day after the surgery? because that as been mentioned hope that happens, yes living is our top priority with the best quality of life we can manage for us soon to be 81 year old gals
Yes, I came home late afternoon after being anaesthetised at approximately 10.45. It was a strange experience as I had to have a further ultrasound at eight o'clock to pinpoint the exact location of the tumour. Then I had a long wait with all the written formalities and checking which breast was to be operated on. One elderly lady near me was crying out all the time . It appears she was suffering from dementia and Parkinsons disease and had to have a lot of attention from all the nurses. They eventually calmed her down with a cheering rendition of "Onward Christain Soldiers" at full volume! This made the time go quickly because they knew all the verses - which were new to me as I am not a church-goer.
I don't think radiotherapy will be too severe so I am not worried. The only problem for me is that I will probably have to travel to a hospital with better equipment,which is 35 miles away. The tumour was close to the collar bone so it requires specialist care and radiation will have to extend to the neck area.. This means expensive travel by taxi for fifteen trips. Stiil, it will mean I shall have many days out enjoying the scenery en route!
I will be surprised if your consultant agrees to your latest request but if you don't ask you will never know!
