85 yr old diagnosed

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saleaaway
saleaaway Member Posts: 3
edited June 2014 in Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer

Mom was diagnosed with invasive ductile carcinoma a few weeks ago. We've gone from 0 to 100 in a matter of days. Its been tough because I feel like we are all going in different directions on what is right for her. One feels don't do surgery she could live for 5 more years with just taking the medicine. Another feels that do just the lumpectomy because she won't be under anesthesia as long. My other sister feels this is the beginning of the end because of her age. And so on and so on. The concern is also can she make it through the surgery due to her age. Her tumor is right under the skin, right at the nipple so the surgeon doesn't want to do a lumpectomy. Though he really didn't give us a clear reason why. She will be taking the oral medication after surgery which from what we've been told should ( if there is something else present) will keep things at bay for five to seven years. She has opted to do nothing with the nodes. She will be having a simple mastectomy. I know everyone is different but the bottom line is the decisions is mom. Just looking to see how everyone else is handled this when you first caught the news.

Also looking for recovery time from a simple mastectomy and what to expect. I'm sure this sounded like the ramblings of a nut ball, just tired and confused.

thanks

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  • Traci-----TripNeg
    Traci-----TripNeg Member Posts: 2,298
    edited December 2010

    Hi saleaaway,

    I'm real sorry to hear about your Mom's diagnosis. :( What does SHE want?

    I had a double mastectomy, and honestly, amazingly.....it wasn't that difficult. I mean, I felt like I got hit by a truck for a week, just really, really stiff, but there was no 'pain'. I'm still amazed by that to this day.

    I can't imagine going through it though, at the age of 85. Especially the chemo. That really sucked.

    I don't know what to tell you about your Mom, just want to wish you good luck with whatever is decided.

    Traci

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited December 2010

    It's really hard to say what to do at that age. If your mom is healthy she may do very well with surgery but it might take a little longer for recovery. I had a bmx with nodes and my recovery and pain was not that bad but I'm much much younger than your mom. (I nver took any pain meds, no pain pump, narcotics or even tylenol). The nodes were the worst part for me. She might be making a good decision there not to do the nodes.

    My 68 yo mother-in-law had advanced lung cancer and they tried to give her oral chemo but she couldn't handle it. She was very ill by the time they gave her that. Actually passed a couple of months later. If your mom is basically healthy then she should do OK with the chemo pill… just don't wait till she is very ill before she takes it.

    If you mom is game and wants to live 5 more years then let her. Chances are if she has the will she will make.

    Granted a lot depends on how aggressive her cancer is. Grade 3 is usually faster growing than 1 or 2. Older women tend to have slower growing tumors and that may be the reason why the surgeon does not feel it's necessary to put you mom through the stress of surgery.

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  • saleaaway
    saleaaway Member Posts: 3
    edited December 2010

    thanks for the comments.. I believe there will be no Chemo and no Radiation. Just the oral medication after. It was her choice not to do the lymph nodes. So with that said she just has the surgery to get through.

    Traci can you tell me how long the surgery lasted start to finish? My frustration is that I live six hours away and I'm trying to keep in touch long distance. I've decided not to go home for the surgery on the 28th of this month but to wait a few days and help her out when she comes home from the hospital.

    Anyway thanks so much

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  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited August 2013

    saleaaway, I'm sorry to hear the news about your mother's diagnosis. It's a tough thing to hear.

    If she's in otherwise good health and can handle the anesthesia, she should be able to handle the mastectomy.

    Standard of care is generally either a mastectomy or lumpectomy plus radiation. Radiation would be difficult for your mother, which might be the reason the surgeon is suggesting what he is.

    The aniti-hormonals (the medication taken aftewards) is a bit difficult for some women, easy for others. It's nowhere NEAR as difficult as chemo or radiation, though.

    My aunt had a mastectomy at the age of 87. I don't know if she took the medications afterwards, but she's 94 now with no sign of cancer. I hope your mother has the same good outcome.

    All the best.

    Leah

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  • saleaaway
    saleaaway Member Posts: 3
    edited December 2010

    Lago

    just found this and they believe it is stage one.. its right under the skin. Mom looks great, but does have some regular health issue that are making us nervous. She's a diabetic. But she feels this is the way to go. All we can do is pray..

    thanks

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited December 2010

    many diabetics have successful surgeries. Heeling might take longer and of course the risk of infection is there.They will have her on antibiotics. Chemo would be tougher on a diabetic.

    Stage 1 is great news. Also the fact that it isn't on/near the chest wall is good news too.

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  • maltomlin
    maltomlin Member Posts: 343
    edited December 2010

    Hi there

    My dad was dx with cancer just before he was 85 and if I could turn the clock back, I would say 'No invasive surgery' as I'm sure that's what made it srpead. After my father's surgery he went downhill. I would also say 'no chemo' as he (not like everyone) thought that he would be OK afterward. But chemo is hard when you're younger but is unbrearable when you're older.  My dog has had kinder treatment than my father did.

    Mal

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  • Neon21
    Neon21 Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2011
    Unfortunately, my aunt just died of branch failure. pass4sure 640-863 I apperceive what you are traveling through. I apperceive this may complete negative, but don't apprehend any miracle. pass4sure 350-018 The doctors anticipation they had a authority on my aunt's action but she again passed. pass4sure CISSP All I'm adage is be able for the affliction but still accept hope.
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