Diagnosed with Non invasive DCIS of the left breast

Hi Flamimgo

Welcome to the forum and I am sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed non invasive DCIS.  What you are feeling is perfectly natural as having to have a major operation can be frightening.  I suggest that you ring the Macmillan helpline on  0808 808 00 00 to speak to one of the volunteers at the end of the phone.  Macmillan have a Buddy service in which they will match you up with someone with a similar diagnosis and that person will either phone or visit you once a week. Here's a link to the Buddy Service: Macmillan Buddies | Macmillan Cancer Support.  I'm also sending you a link to the various supports that you can receive from Macmillan.  Here it is: Cancer Information And Support | Macmillan Cancer Support.

If there is a Maggie's Centre near you why not contact them or call in and they'll be able to support you in various ways.  I know people who have gone to them and they can't praise them highly enough.

You will find plenty of support on this forum should you need it.

Wishing you the best of luck with your operation.

Best wishes

Daisy53

Hi Flamingo

sorry to hear you’ve been diagnosed with DCIS. I was also diagnosed with high grade DCIS back in May.. They initially thought it was 5 cms but turned out to be 10cms with some micro invasion (3.5mm being the largest) - this was the result post mastectomy. I had the surgery including SLNB but luckily lymph nodes were clear. I did have 5 days radiotherapy which was recommended. 
The surgery is pretty straightforward so don’t worry about it. Try and focus on the longer term. You don’t need to make a decision at this stage on reconstruction - you can always opt for this at a later date if you want. Focus on getting better post surgery.

Sending hugs - you are not alone. Xx

Hi Beth

Sorry for my late reply just a bit slow with my brain at the minute

Thankyou so much for  you're message ,it was lovely and reassuring  to read 

I think I just needed someone to tell me everything  is going too be ok 

I am with my consultant  today and I'm thinking this will be to get my OP date sorted out, and to talk through stuff

But at this point now I'm just wanting it all over and done with the stress and worrying  over the past 30 days is killing me

I just want it all to stop 

How was the OP for you did you have much pain , how was you're recovery

I have so many questions  would you mind if I asked you a few

I know that this has to happen as theres no other way and I want to live and get better , but I just cant seem to get it right inside my head and I cant stop crying, but I know after a time Ii  will hopefully  have moved on and things should get better,

But right now I am overwhelmed  with everything 

How long did it take for you to be more like yourself and up and about after your surgery 

Did you have any reconstruction  or did you defer it until a later date

All my thoughts keep coming back to staying flat and wearing a prosthesis  and seeing if I could get used to that

And defer reconstruction  until a later date like you said

I think I would like to try and see how I get on first with wearing the bra with prosthetic 

It seems like the  best option simpler option  for me at the moment 

I dont really want to be off my feet for to long 

If I knew in my heart I could get used to the bra, I think I could cope

I am trying so hard to focus almost jump ahead a few months to when this should all be behind me , my family have said the same ,      focusing on getting better like you also said ,   and I'm trying and I know I will get there

Thankyou for taking time to talk to me 

I hope everything for you has moved forward and you are feeling much more comfortable and better and life getting back to normal

Sending lots of love    Jackie xx

Hi Flamingo 

I was diagnosed with DCIS,   right breast, 7cm tumour and calcifications in June. It was high grade so no option but to have a mastectomy.  I’m now 12 weeks post operative and doing well. The operation is fine, just focus on the recovery process. Make sure you do your arm exercises, this will help a lot, as if you’re having a SLN biopsy it’s painful as your nerves in the armpit area are disturbed. 
I opted for just mastectomy, no reconstruction. I did not even consider an implant. Just not for me and my surgeon said they were not reliable. I have a prosthesis but don’t wear it  for everyday. If im out over Xmas, maybe a party I might wear it, as it helps nice clothes to sit and look better. I thought I would be conscious of people noticing, but to be honest no one is bothered. The way I see it is, not having my breast has kept me alive. 
I was very lucky and didn’t need any further treatment, but it’s still a lot to get your head around!  In the space of 6 months I’ve gone from being one person to someone completely different, but im trying to stay positive. I know it’s a cliche but it really does help. 
I have no doubt you will be fine. Utilise your family and friends and any other support you are given. The breast nurses are fabulous and there’s always support on here. 
We’re all here for each other xx

Hi Jackie

I agree the waiting period is horrible but glad to hear you have an appointment today and hopefully will have a clearer picture of whats ahead. 
I was up and about pretty quickly after surgery - I returned home the day after surgery and went for a short walk that afternoon! Everything was pretty numb at that stage. I had a mastectomy without reconstruction on right hand side. I did the exercises twice sometimes three times a day. I had a lot of tightness under my arm  and really wanted it to go. It’s a bit better but I still have some which is really annoying. I had radiotherapy in August and understand this does tighten the scar tissue - I’ll keep doing the exercises! I’m on holiday now in Florida. I’ve been cycling and swimming but I’m still recovering. I think I have a seroma which is causing the tightness but haven’t had it drained. I’m hoping it will be reabsorbed over time. I don’t have any plans for reconstruction. I use a prosthesis. Still use the .softie’ one a lot - they give you a softie in hospital to use for first few weeks. I bought a special one for swimming too. 
I know it’s very difficult to accept initially that all this is happening to you. I sometimes have to remind myself there are so many cases worse than me. Also there are so many people with breast cancer and treatments nowadays are so much more successful. So many celebrities are in ‘our club’ too. 
I spent the early days watching a lot of TV box sets - a good distraction. 
Good luck today. I’m giving myself a full year to fully recover. 
sending hugs xx

Hi Flamingo

I hope you had a good meeting with your consultant yesterday. 
xx