Hi all, I am 62 and was diagnosed with high grade dcis about 3 months ago. I am waiting for a date for a mastectomy with diep reconstruction. I am finding the whole process absolutely terrifying. The waiting, no doubt you all know, getting a letter/phone call to see the plastic surgeon then the ct scan then the follow up appointment and now the op.. I can't sleep or think about anything else except this surgery. It is affecting my relationship with my partner, my autistic son and am relying on beta blockers and diazepam to get me through the day/night. I can't stop thinking about the mutilation to my body and risks associated with this type of surgery. Has anyone decided to put off the surgery and monitor on a regular basis and have mammograms, ( I will pay privately if necessary) to see if the dcis has become invasive? My friends and family say I am in no mental state to have such major surgery. I have requested counselling but am still waiting. I have done a lot of research and it seems no-one can predict what the chances of high grade dcis becoming invasive. Maybe the percentage is really low and all this scare mongering will be similar to the HRT big scare a few years ago where lots of people came off it including myself because they said it could cause breast cancer.Years later they admitted they were wrong but now we are talking about something far, far bigger, women having their breasts removed, chemo, radiotherapy because we are being told it can become invasive and spread to our lymph nodes. I really am not coping well and I suppose a huge part of it is that I feel healthy, I don't feel ill or in pain so why are they taking by breast away and a huge chunk of my tummy? My brain just cannot accept it. I so don't want to go through with this surgery unless I really have to. I really don't know what to do it is driving me crazy! Any advice, stories, or any views at all will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
