My mums mum died from breast cancer her aunty died of it a few years later. Her sister, in her thirties, was diagnosed. Fortunately this cancer was treated early, my favourite aunt lived. She needed a radical mastectomy. My mum seemed to have escaped breast cancer but she suffered with the severe chronic lung complaint emphysema . She required continuous 24hr oxygen at home. My dad died when we kids were still at school, my brother died in an accident at 25yrs old, so family was stretched a little thin by now. Just me, my son, my sister, and her two kids, my brother in law died suddenly at 43yrs old. After an intensive care admission to hospital, my mother was determined to get off oxygen, within twelve months of coming close to death she did it! Life was looking better, she was leaving the house to shop, helping look after my son,even gardening, it was great. Then she found the lump, naturally it was frightening but it was found early. She had the lumpectomy, then the anaesthetic nearly killed her because her lungs could not handle any suppression to breathing. But she did it. She was told she could never be sedated again especially general anaesthetic. Radiotheraphy was a breeze she even started catching a bus to shop afterwards.She fell breaking her wrist and needed her arm pin and plated during radiotherapy treatment. But she did it! Eventually, oxygen was required full time again she really hates this. Few years later, same breast again cancer rapidly progressive, she needed mastectomy under LOCAL anaesthetic but as usual she did it! Everyone was amazed at how tough she was to go through procedure wide awake without a complaint, She received excellent care with excellent results. She's 80yrs old now.
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Sydney, Australia