DCIS

Hi  and welcome to the Online Community, although I am so sorry to see the circumstance that brought you here and so sorry to hear you have been diagnosed with Breast Cancer.

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All the best.

Hi Dragonlover

I was diagnosed with DCIS (high grade) last November and of course this was a shock. However I felt that having a mastectomy was a small price to pay to prolong my life. I too was only offered the mastectomy as the best treatment and was offered an implant reconstruction  or to be left flat. I didnt want to be left flat so went with the implant reconstruction with the option of going for a full DIEP reconstruction at a later date. 

I had a mastectomy with a implant reconstruction in January and do not regret this discussion.  

I would have preferred to have had a DIEP reconstruction from the off set but I would have had to waited longer for the operation. I just wanted the breast removed as quickly as possible in order to not allow the DCIS a chance to move onto cancer. As it happens this was the right option as it had already progressed to a grade 2 cancer. 

I feel totally happy with the decision I made. The operation was about 6 hours and an overnight stay. I had a drain in for 6 days. I controlled the pain with paracetamol. It is sore for the first couple of weeks but as long as you rest well and listen to your body its all fine. I had a issue with a build up of fluid in the breast and this caused the scar to open up slightly. This was drained and restitched, with no further problems.  

With cloths on I look no different, even with a swimsuit. Without cloths is a different matter. But I am just happy the cancer is gone and not worried how I look naked. 

I am yet to decide if I want to go ahead with the DIEP reconstruction but for the time being I happy with what I have got. 

Hope this helps and please feel free to ask further questions. 

Feel happy about what you decide. Life is for living and no regrets. 

All the best.

El