Breast Cancer & I have a Heart condition & Diabetic type One. Can’t have general only a local to remove Cancer mass.

Hi Cyprus

Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with breast cancer and that you have a heart condition that prevents you from having chemo and radiotherapy.  Did they not do an ultrasound of your underarm?  If not why not ask them to do one for you as they can't check your lymph nodes at the same time as you are having your lumpectomy, they can only say no.  It's easy for them to say that they caught it early and that you'll be alright but it's not them who have been given a diagnosis of breast cancer.

Wishing you the best of luck with your operation on the 19th.

Best wishes

Daisy53

Thank you  Daisy for taking the time to reply I did have a ultrasound at the time of the biopsy under my arm pit they said they thought the Cancer was contained and had been there for years but only picked when bigger enough on this last Mammogram I always gone for my Mammograms never missed them. I don’t actually know it’s in there no pain or lump it’s inside the tissue of the breast. So Mammograms are so very important as we know. I’m probably running away with my self imagining terrible things about it entering me.

it all just seems to take a long time from when we hear we have Cancer. my Dad died of Cancer it was 22 years ago but I was very closely involved then I had Two close friends die of Secondary Breast Cancer although a few years ago now so technology is getting better for us all.

I wish you lots of luck to. Nice chatting to you. 

Hi Cyrpus, so sorry to hear this - that's a lot to cope with and a rotten thing to happen for your 60th.  Its normal to be very shocked by the news, to cry and not sleep very well as you come to terms with everything.  If it helps, I am similar age and was diagnosed with stage 1 grade 2 oestrogen positive in December.  Couldn't see or feel anything either.  My op was delayed while I was investigated for womb cancer (which I didn't have but my symptoms were caused partly by too much oestrogen).  Was also put on Letrozole before my op (which was at end of February) and it did slow the rate of growth down.  My lymph nodes were clear.  I know its scary to hear that your lump has been there for years, but that's how long it takes for your lump to grow from a single cell to something they can see on a mammogram.  The important thing is that its removed and put in the bin!  There are other people on the board who have had their op under a local, rather than a general, so hopefully one of them will reply too.  Cancer treatment has improved significantly in the last few decades, especially for breast cancer, and survival rates are so much better too.  Its easy to say, but try not to overthink about your diagnosis - am still working on that!  It helps to keep your mind busy and to do things which help to relax you.   Listening to music really helped me, but there are lots of relaxation apps around too.  You have a lot to cope with, so if you have a Maggies Centre nearby, make use of that.  You can also use the free Counselling service that BUPA offers   https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/get-help/emotional-help/bupa-counselling-and-emotional-well-being-support    Please use this forum if you have any more questions about your op.  Good luck  on the 19th.

Thk you for replying very kind.