Hi Polly I was diagnosed with DCIS 5 years ago. Had lumpectomy with no problems, a bit sore. When I saw the consultant post op they decided I needed sentinel node biopsies doing so had 2 general anaesthetics in one month which knocked me out a bit. Then after about 3 months had 15 sessions of radiotherapy which went well. It was just the every day round trip of about 40 miles for 3 weeks which was very tiring. Also had to take Anastrazole/Letrozole for 5 years.

Hope everything goes will with your procedure and you do well. Don’t forget to do the arm exercises they give you to do, it really helps with movement and flexibility.

All the best

Mary

Hi Polly I was diagnosed with DCIS 5 years ago. Had lumpectomy with no problems, a bit sore. When I saw the consultant post op they decided I needed sentinel node biopsies doing so had 2 general anaesthetics in one month which knocked me out a bit. Then after about 3 months had 15 sessions of radiotherapy which went well. It was just the every day round trip of about 40 miles for 3 weeks which was very tiring. Also had to take Anastrazole/Letrozole for 5 years.

Hope everything goes will with your procedure and you do well. Don’t forget to do the arm exercises they give you to do, it really helps with movement and flexibility.

All the best

Mary

I'm so worried about the travel for radiotherapy, I don't know how I'm going to manage. It's 140 mile round trip for me, three hours travel per day. I'll have to do most of the driving myself as no one can get that much time off work to chauffeur me about. Is the tiredness from radiotherapy really bad? I keep telling myself I will manage the drive but obviously I don't want to be a danger to myself or others on the road if I'm too tired to drive. It's still a way off for me yet but I'm so worried about it :(

That’s a long journey for you to do, 140 miles is not good. It might be possible for you to get hospital transport but will be an even longer day. I would ask about that as my friend had it for her radiotherapy. I didn’t have to drive as my husband took me but think I would have been ok but your journey is much longer than mine was. 
My husband has to undergo 23 sessions of radiotherapy in the next month, will take around 5 weeks and will be gruelling for us both. Luckily I can drive him this time around.

Do you know if you will definitely need radiotherapy? Keep in touch and if you want to private message me I am happy to chat at any time.

Love Mary

Sorry Mary, I missed this! Oh 23 sessions sounds a lot, I can't believe you are both having to go through it, seems so unfair. I will definitely be having radiotherapy after the chemo, I need 15 sessions as I didn't have a node clearance despite the positive node. I may be able to stay over but I really don't want to... I think I'm going to have to see how bad the tiredness is.

Thanks so much and I hope you and your husband are both doing ok xx

Thankyou for the advise Mary, I am now day 3 post op and thought I was doing well with the exercises,  (they seemed a breeze) until today as I'm a bit stiff under the arm. This is my 3rd surgery in 10 months. Other t were not breast related though, I had total knee replacements in Oct and the other in March. I'm hoping I won't need another but, just have to wait and see and deal with things as they come my way xx

Hi there glad you had the op and doing the exercises. Maybe you were a bit too enthusiastic! Take things steady and listen to what your body says. It’s great to get the op over with. Did you have a lumpectomy or mastectomy?

All best wishes from Mary xx

Hi Mary, Sorry hadn't seen your reply...I just had a lumpectomy (side incision) you were probly right as I had nerve pain yesterday and was very uncomfortable in bed last night. Probly need to slow down a bit and stick to the instructions given  

Thankyou for advise

Polly 

Hi Polly sorry for the late reply and hope you are feeling a bit more comfortable now. Are you wearing a bra at night. I found a soft one helped and also I have a small heart shaped pillow which I find helpful. Keep in touch.

Love Mary