My Mum Has Breast Cancer Awaiting A Double Mastectomy 86

[gordiescotland1]

I was very shocked to learn on Friday that my mother who is 86 and incredibly fit and well has got breast cancer in both breasts. She felt a lump in one, went to GP and got referred to the breast clinic at local hospital where she had a whole series of tests. Where they found one in the other one. She had a lumpectomy in 2013 no further treatment needed. My grandmother died of it in 1990. My sister went with her for the results which was really good. They decided not to tell me until they had to because I'm in my final few weeks of an Open University degree. My nephews, niece and everyone knew before me I am sure it was done with the best intention. So I didn't say anything. She has to take pills for the next 5 years and is due to have a double mastectomy after a pre op assessment. Op should be in 3 or 4 weeks it does seem rather brutal and quite an ordeal at her age but consultants say it is the safest option. Does not appear to be any in the lymph nodes and if that's still the case after surgery because they check them then no chemo or radiation required. I'm not sure how she is going to be afterwards with recovery she is an incredibly strong woman but she never sits down she does numerous things at once and she was a terrible patient when she had Covid she has been a nurse all her life. She is very reluctant to accept help from people. 

[jno]

it was kind of them to protect you. You're going to worry anyway, we all would, operations are hard work even for the young and fit, but they reckon she's got five years of pill-taking ahead of her, so that's pretty confident.

[Smowball]

She sounds as tough as an ox, and they certainly wouldn't even be entertaining such surgery at her age unless they thought that she was very capable of a swift recovery. Wishing her well x

[barry1010]

Hope all goes well for her, Geordie.

I think it wrong that routine breast screening ends at 71, your mother is the third lady I have heard of with breast cancer in her 80s in the last year.

Hopefully she will be a good, patient patient.

Sending you best wishes for your exam results, too

[Neroni81]

It sounds tough, especially at her age, but it’s good the doctors have a plan and that chemo or radiotherapy might not be needed. Make sure she takes it slow after surgery—even small breaks and simple help with meals or errands can make a big difference.

[Old_Geezer]

Best of luck to all concerned. I concur that there'd probably be no op offer unless they were confident it would be a success.