94 yr. old needs lumpectomy?

Mammale

Otherwise in good health but with pacemaker, stent, high blood pressure (but controlled well with meds), short term memory loss. Has consistent strong, good attitude about this: "Just get it out, I want it out." Seems two schools of thought -- leave her alone vs. do just the lumpectomy  (not any chemo or radiation, possibly a pill after the surgery).  She seems to have clarity on this problem and I suppose we need to respect her opinion about herself. On the other hand we don't want to put her through much discomfort. Several of her doctors have said, do it, it's not such a big deal even at 94, and done with  local anesthesia with a twilight sleep. She needs a non-exercise stress test for surgical clearance first.    Should we proceed?  Thank you.

LRM216

I am so very sorry that you and she has to even be faced with such a situation.  Not knowing any of the specifics, and with her age, and my not having a medical background, I have no answers for you but did want to wish you all the very best in whatever decision is ultimately made.  God bless her.

Linda

sarahjane7374

If she wants it and is capable of making her own decisions, then yes, I think you should let her make them. I have no medical background but I do have a grandma who will celebrate her 100th birthday next month. I wouldn't want to be the one to tell her she couldn't do something 

Best to you both. 

MaryFox

Let it be her decision.  Lumpectomy is not like major surgery.  With her attitude, she'll probably manage it well.

MelissaDallas

Mammale, what is her diagnosis? I think if the "pill" they are talking about is one of the aromatase inhibitors, no way in the world would I take one at her age, and I have a hard time believing a sensible doc would even consider it.

farmerlucy

I do have a friend who was in relatively good health and in her mid to late 80's who had a lumpectomy. That went fine, but she developed pneumonia from being in bed too long after the surgery with tight chest wrappings. It took her several weeks to get over the pneumonia. The cancer was the least of her issues, she has recovered and is good to go, but she was in rehab for about a month.

melmcbee

I agree with Farmerlucy, If she is in good shape now why take a chance on a complication to occur. Its ultimately her decision but at 94 I would just want to be left alone. What size is it and do you know its not in the lymph nodes or anywhere else? Prayers sent for healing.

Ridley

I agree with letting her make the decision, given her clarity on the issue.  

My grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer at 90 (maybe even 92 - can't quite remember).  For reasons that I'm not entirely clear about, they recommended a mastectomy.  She had it and did no other treatment.  She recovered well, and lived to 94, when she passed away from a stroke.  Except for being overweight, she was very healthy at the time of surgery, and had no issues with anaesthesia, etc. 

If she wants the cancer out, it may be more stressful on her to leave it in and not do surgery.

Wren44

She'll probably get thru a lumpectomy just fine. I didn't have any tight binding...just had to wear a bra 24/7 for a couple of weeks. The bra was probably the worst part of it.

jramick

Wow! Sorry this is happening to her.  The same happened to my great grandmother in law.   Prior to surgery have them mark the breast - of all ridiculous things they removed A lump from the wrong one!!!!! How does this happen?????????

Moonflwr912

I would respect her wishes. My Aunt is 86 and ignored a "boil" it is now spread through the breast. But she doesn't even want a Lx. She watched 3 sisters pass from BC and knows what she's facing. So i say if  the 94 year old wants a Lx and they can do it under a local or twilight sleep go for it. It may give her peace of mind and even a longer life! Much love to you all. 

Ariom

I just had a conversation with a friend, who told me about the Mother, of a friend of hers, who is in her 90's and has just had a Mx. She has had absolutely no problems and has recovered very well. She is now considering a proph for the other side because of symmetry!

The Daughter really isn't happy about it, but concedes that it is ultimately her Mother's choice. 

BrooksideVT

The surgery is quick, as is recovery.  There will be no binders, and no lengthy bedstay.  Patients go home either the same day or after an overnight (personally, I asked for my lumpectomy to be scheduled late in the day so I could have the overnight).  Four days later, I was out chopping ice on the walkway.

Your mother understands both her condition and the surgical procedure, her doctor understands her phyical state, and both want the nasty thing out, out out.  Wouldn't you?