New here DCIS breast cancer diagnosis 32 years old

Hi  and warm welcome to the Macmillan Online Community although sorry that you had to find us and especially sorry to hear about your BC diagnosis.

A cancer diagnosis can be challenging in so many ways but talking with others who are walking the same type of cancer treatment journey will help you navigate this difficult time.

The Community is organised into cancer specific support groups and I see you have joined our supportive Breast cancer and you may also want to join our Breast cancer for the under-50s group also as these will be a good places to connect with patients and families navigating the same type of cancer treatment journey.

To join a group just click on the link above then choose 'click to join' or 'join' (depending on the device you're using) on the page that opens.

You can then introduce yourself by putting up a ‘New Thread’ or hit the box with the X on the top right (phones), you could just copy and paste the text from this your first post. You can also join in with existing ‘Discussions’ by clicking on 'reply'. 

It’s always good to talk so do call the Macmillan Support Services on 0808 808 00 00 - most services are open 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week Clicking here to see what is available. This service can give lots of information, support, financial guidance or just a listening ear. We also have our Ask an Expert section, but do allow two working days for replies from our expert team.

To find information covering diagnosis, treatments and pages covering most types of cancers can be found on our Online Information and Support Section. 

((hugs))

Hi  hang in there ...it’s such a scary time! I was diagnosed on 22 March so fairly recently. The waiting game is the hardest as the mind runs wild with all the scary possibilities but I’ve been so positive given treatment options out there and medical advances in the past decade. You are not alone and sending you a massive hug. It won’t be long before you have more data and can process it gradually . M xxx

Thanks for your reply M. Sorry to hear you’re going through this too. I think the waiting is unbearable, I have no idea of a plan yet. Still waiting on results from MRI and lymph node biopsy. Finding it really difficult to stay positive but my little girl is keeping me busy xxx

Don’t blame you ...one minute life is ‘normal’ and next minute you’re hit with a diagnosis like a tonne of bricks ....good you’re busy with your daughter :) I distracted myself too with my son and work but it’s not easy in the quiet hours of the morning and sometimes at night. More you talk/write about it the better to empty the mental load a little - it helped me a little xxx

Definitely the quiet hours of the morning get you. It’s a strange feeling. I find myself okay when busy like you said. I’m due back at work next week typically, had all this time off because of maternity leave and the pandemic. Hoping that will be a distraction. Do you mind me asking where you are with your journey now? I feel like I’m in limbo xx

You can ask me anything :) I have had lumpectomy surgery 3 weeks ago and they removed 2 lymph nodes. My tumour is oestrogen receptor and progesterone receptor positive. I’m healing fine and planning for radiotherapy (4weeks) starting week after next. Due to my tumour type they were able to to an Oncotype genomic test which showed a low risk score (recurrence risk) and so won’t need chemo. After radiotherapy or during , will likely start Tamoxifen for 5 years (or 10 ..but not sure yet).

I have felt in limbo too till now and totally empathise...it’s like you have to mentally train yourself to deal with the ambiguity. Funnily enough work was a helpful distraction tactic & kept fears at bay for a while but I do think talking to my husband in evening and sharing the fears helped me a lot (esp as I couldn’t share it with my parents - didn’t want to worry them as my dad’s not well). Deep breath......

How do you feel about going to work post Mat leave? What a crazy year eh? Big hug xx

Thank you so much, it really helps having someone to talk to who can relate. Even though we are strangers, somehow it feels really comforting to me. It sounds like you have a great plan in place and it’s great you got a low risk score. Can I ask if you had lymph nodes removed because they too contained cancer? This is really panicking me as I had to have another lymph node biopsy because the results weren’t clear. I’m glad you feel better now you have a plan. The waiting must be awful for everyone. I feel better to for talking to my husband. I have only told him, our parents and our bosses and I think I will leave it with just them. I don’t cope well with sympathy! I feel okay about going back to work, as crazy as it sounds the pandemic meant I got more precious time at home with my daughter which I wouldn’t of got otherwise. She will be 2 in July and I’ve got to watch her grow every step. She’s had settling in days at a childminders and she loves it so that makes me so happy too so I feel okay. I love my job, baking cakes all day! Thank you again for being so open with me. I honestly think I will sleep better tonight for talking to you xx

I’m so so happy you found my experience reassuring! Always here   Before my lumpectomy operation, the day before , they injected a dye which during the operation shows the surgeon the nearest lymph nodes to the tumour and they remove these ones (called sentinel nodes) as a precautionary measure and to test post op, for cancer cells. If there are cells, then they remove additional lymph nodes to be on the safe side (something they did with my friend who had thyroid cancer and who has recovered). This is a common practice for breast cancer surgery. 

I know it’s absolutely terrifying (not to mention bloody painful) having these biopsies but sometimes they call you back again for a second biopsy because they want to be sure of the result. I’ll give you an example. I had a tumour on left breast but the consultants were worried about abnormal tissue calcification that showed up in mammogram and ultrasound in the right breast although no evidence of tumour there - so I had one stereotactic (guided) biopsy (ouch) & results came back negative. BUT because my MRI came back hazy they insisted on doing the biopsy again (double ouch this time as boob was already bruised...I’m embarrassed to say I cried and passed out oops). Results came back negative. 
I keep everything crossed for You and rooting for you - medicine has progressed in leaps and bounds.Let me know how it goes xx 

It’s great you have sounding boards and distraction too :) This will help the time pass! Baking cakes sounds heavenly! Good luck with transition back to work and your daughter at nursery too x

Really reassuring thank you. Wow it sounds like you’ve really been through it! You’ve done amazing to get to where you are now and you’re helping other people along the way. I hope I can become as strong as you. It’s useful to know about the dye, I’m at the stage where I haven’t been told any of this yet and it’s great to hear your friend is okay too. Makes me think so much more positive. When you hear the word cancer it is so frightening but it seems like there are lots of people who get through it. Thank you I’ll keep you posted. I have an appointment on the 15th so will hopefully know more then. Do you mind me asking your age? Xx