Hi,

I was 72 when I was diagnosed, last September with Grade 2 invasive lobular carcinoma. I also had a single mastectomy and sentinel node biopsy which came back as 1 of the 2 containing cancer. A month later I had the axillary node clearance which was a bit more painful,than the mastectomy. I put it down to the surgeon having to dig out the lymph nodes being more invasive than just lopping off an appendage.

They turned out to be clear of cancer and I am now feeling great. The only treatment I am on now is the hormone blocker that will, hopefully, prevent a return of the cancer. I was a bit of a nuisance about taking these, as I read of so many side effects and I didn't think they would make enough of a difference to my life expectancy to be worth suffering the side effects.  However, my GP persuaded me to take them with a view to stopping them if side effects were unbearable, and now I'm starting my third month on the Letrozole and the only side effects I had were a few hot flushes and a bit of short lived nausea right at the beginning. If you see my thread "Anyone diagnosed in their 70's?"  you will see what a tizz I was in.

i think it's worse for you, worrying about your mum, than it is for her going through it and the anticipation is worse than the reality. My kids were shell shocked by my diagnosis and treated me like an invalid when I didn't feel like one, so let your mum set the tone, support her but don't smother her, she will know how her body feels and when she is capable of doing more.

Good luck

Christine xxx

Thank you Christine for your reassurance. We are due for surgery on Monday and hopefully everything goes well. Thank you also for saying this recovery could be a little more painful as I've passed that on to my mam and pleased she now knows a little more as to what to expect. She is already on Letrazole and has been fortunate enough not to have any side effects. Fingers crossed we only need to stay on the tablet and don't have to have radiotherapy. 
Thanks xx