Hi 
I think I have so much too say, so apologies in advance for the lengthy paragraph.
I was diagnosed on the 23rd April this year with DCIS in right breast. Dr's recommendation and best way to eradicate was a lumpectomy. This was done on 14th June. Samples taken from this surgery was negative for HER2, progesterone and estrogen. Had the BRCA G 1& 2 done, this was negative. Between all this there'd been a million different delays and inefficiencies. Still I didn't know and still can't say, I have breast cancer, I am confused, my head is full of everything but nothing, I feel in limbo.
So next step was mastectomy, removal of some lymph nodes, and nipple. With the 2nd sample results it showed pt1 microinvasion in right breast. Had this done beginning on 7th Oct. With an expander placed for reconstructive surgery to be done later. By the 1st weekend after surgery the leaking started, given I didn't have any drain in. This went on for 4 weeks. Dr said to keep changing the dressing and we monitor. The expander was hurting me very bad and bruising me so much, almost seemed as if wanted to escape my body.
Beginning Nov 8th I went in for debridement of wound, removal of areola and stitch up of wound. With the mastectomy samples taken, he had the lab retest and check the results 4 times. It came back positive for HER2, progesterone and estrogen etc. And 1 out of the 9 lymph nodes removed Had 4mm metastatic cancer.
Yesterday 22nd Nov I had the expander removed and 1st tissue transfer. Now I wait as consultation and research about my positive test results are bring done to decide best treatment forward. Chemo, radiotherapy, hormone treatment, etc....who knows.
I was never ready for any of this especially the pain.
TBC....
Hi and a welcome to the Online Community but so sorry to hear about your diagnoses.
A cancer journey is such a stressful and challenging time but you have done the right thing in reaching out to a place where you can ask questions and getting support from others who are on the ‘exact’ same cancer and journey.
The Community is divided into support groups (discussion rooms) so can I recommend you join and post in our supportive Breast cancer support group. This is a safe place to talk to others with a similar diagnosis, treatment experience, to ask questions and get support.
If you'd like to connect in with a group click on the Green (Bold) Group Link I have created above. Once the group page opens click on the black banner that says [click to join] at the bottom, or the [Join] button under "Group tools."
You can then introduce yourself by putting up a ‘new post’ by clicking in the box near the top right with + New or + (Depending on the device you are using) and you are ready to go. You could copy and paste the text from this post into your new post.
The Macmillan Support Line is open from 8am-8pm (timings may differ across services) 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00 where you can talk with someone about specific cancer and practical information, get emotional support, benefits/financial guidance or just connect with a listening ear. We also have our Ask an Expert section but do allow a few working days for a reply.
We also have our Telephone Buddy Service where you can be matched with someone who understands what you're going through, and they'll give you a weekly call.
Talking to people face to face can be very helpful so do check to see if you have any Local Macmillan Support in your area, do also check for a local Maggie's Centre as these folks are amazing and aim to give support to all the family.
Do get back to me if you need further help.
