High grade DCIS and single mastectomy

Hi Anneli_C 

I am sorry you are facing a mastectomy and reconstruction. I am one of the Community Champions on this forum, but I don’t have personal experience of this. I hope by responding I will bump your post back to the top of the page where someone with experience might see it. 

Try to eat well and exercise in the days leading up to the operation. You will be in good hands.

Hi, I too had DCIS 14 years ago, had left side mastectomy with implant and right side reduction with lymph node biopsy  My surgeon didn't think it was necessary to do double mastectomy either and I didn't need any treatment afterwards.

I didn't have nipple reconstruction I didn't want to risk any infection which can sometimes happen. 

I'm not going to sugar coat it, it's an extremely tough thing to go through, but you will come out the other side we all do, it just takes time (took me about three months before I returned to work), take each day as it comes and rest as much as possible, its not only the physial recovery its the emotional recovery too.  I came home with four drains which were removed a few weeks after surgery, didn't feel a thing when they were removed, so don't worry if you experience the same.

Ask your surgeon what type of implant is being used and the later risks.  As I said my surgery was 14 years ago and things were probably different then, but I was told a few years ago my type of implant is now considered high risk.

In February this year after privately funded annual checks they found stage 2 cancer in my right breast.  I had lumpectomy, mammoplasty and lymph node biopsy on 30th March.  I had the 5th of 9 radiotherapy sessions today.

Diagnosis, surgery and treatment is daunting, the fear and anxiety we all experience is natural.  All I can say of my experiences is, you can never imagine the inner strength, courage and resilience you will find.  Family is everything, the love and support they provide, the laughter you still find within you.

Take care, keep strong, you WILL do this, we all join a club we never wanted to but support is out there just reach for it when you need to.

T 

I can't really add anything in terms of advice as have only just received my diagnosis today of grade 3 invasive ductal carcinoma. The doctors are saying lymph glands are clear based on the CT scan I had last week so just waiting on HER2 results. I will be having a mastectomy and chemotherapy although timing will be dictated over the coming weeks. It's all surreal to be honest. I'd rather get cracking with the treatment, but am going to have to wait. 

Thank you for sharing your story and your positive outlook! Really appreciate it 

Thank you for responding and sharing your story! I’m sorry to hear of the wait you have ahead of you. I have been lucky to have gone through the process fairly quickly since diagnosis but the initial wait for the first lots of test results post mri and mammogram were horrendous. Hope you are doing okay today xx

Also thank you for the tips for recovery really appreciate it! 

I am ok this morning, didn't sleep so well last night. I'm hopeful things will gather pace once the final results are in. I just don't like the idea of this malignancy sitting there, doing it's thing while I wait.

I'm glad that yout process was quick. Let us know how you get on with treatment. I'm going into this blind really

Always here to talk.  You won't feel it right now and like me thought I don't know how im going to do this - but you will.  Don't try to think too far ahead, ask questions no matter how trivial you think they may be and if you don't take it all in first time ask again and again if necessary,  don't be embarrassed or afraid to.  I wanted to know exactly what to expect it was my way of trying to hold on to some kind of control.

Take it a step at a time. Each day is a step nearer to recovery.