Hi Carolyn,

I sometimes feel that it is a dangerous thing to look up the side-effects of any drug, as it is all too easy to convince ourselves that we have every one going. Things have moved on in leaps and bounds since my mum and, continue to do so, thank goodness. I certainly hope that my symptoms are due to the coctail of drugs I'm taking and nothing more sinister.

Yes, the waiting is hard for all of us, but we all know what it's like and, we're all here to support one another.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

So I got good news tonight girls! They tested the tissue they removed at the mastectomy and it was DCIS, nothing more, meaning I have no chemo!!! Absolutely thrilled! I might have to go in tomoxofin for five years, have to see someone else about that, but honestly I'm fine with that. Chemo was my big fear and now that's definitely ruled out! I got the drain out this morning too, absolute game changer! So while I still have another op or two ahead of me I'm on the road to recovery and feeling very positive. I'm looking forward to a google free night and a good sleep! X

Hi CCPT,
DCIS - this is great news! What a relief for you. I am glad to hear that you got your drain out too and, that it is such a game changer already.

It is now policy for some people to take Tamoxifen for 10 years instead of 5. It might be worth discussing this with your Oncologist to see what is planned for you. Did you discuss what further surgery you're likely to need?

I'm glad to see that you are so much more positive today.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Jolamine,

I'vevbeen referred to a different doctor to discuss the tomoxofin but I'll do whatever ever they say if it means reducing my chances of reoccurrence. Honestly I woke up yesterday for the first time in months without the weight of the world on my shoulders. I've to get the other breast reduced in February (I have one E cup and one B/C) and maybe another procedure for a nipple reconstruction but I have decided on that one yet. 
I also discovered that the government here pay for two bras, a swimsuit and a prosthetic breast so I'm going fir a fitting on Saturday, really to get me through the next eight weeks. 
I really wanted to put up something positive here and show people the the outcome can be so positive despite the awfulness inbetween. Mentally I know I have a long road ahead and I suppose that side of things isn't often talked about except places like this. But I'm working on it and I know I'll get there. Of course I'll always worry a bit, it can always come back, I don't need to tell you that. How are you doing? X

Hi Jolamine! I haven't  been on here  for a while. I was waiting to hear if i needed a bilateral mastectomy. When I saw my surgeon mid Dec she said she really advised against it as the chemo shrunk the lump on my right breast from 2.4 cm to 1.2 cm. so a lumpectomy would be fine. On my left breast it's DCIS so she would take that and some lymph nodes from both arms aswell. I had the op this Monday and all went well. I'm up and about and taking it easy. I will get results on the 10th January. I've every confidence in my surgeon so fingers crossed! I wanted to come back to this chat  and see how everyone is doing. And to say thank you so so much for all your advice and kindness when I was feeling very down. This is very much a rollercoaster for us all and now I've read how much you've had to deal with yourself. I'm so sorry to hear that. You are such a strength to us all. And you definitely don't realise how hard it is until you're in this situation. And it is something we will always have to live with. So we will have to try and do that the best we can. I work with small children so this brings me great joy and helps me to stay in the present. It's when I'm on my own that darker thoughts come. I'm still emotional and liable to cry at any moment. I live in a small village and most people know by now. So I avoid going into shops or meeting anyone in case they ask how I am. I'm sure we can all relate to this. I still feel as if cancer is a scary word that people avoid. I would like to try and change that when I'm better and be a positive support to others. But that's down the road. I read on this chat that someone found another lump recently. I did too and they did an ultrasound and it was a cyst. Our imaginations run riot don't they. So I just stopped by to say best of luck and to try and cherish this Christmas with your family and friends. I'll pop by in Jan to see how you're all doing. Keep the chins up! Xxxx

Hi Suziewong,

Thank you for your update. I'm glad to hear that your tumour has shrunk so much with chemo and, that you no longer need a double mastectomy. I'm sure that you are relieved to have your operation behind you, even if it means a slightly longer wait  for results due to the Christmas holiday. Try to take it easy and, listen to your body. If you need to rest, rest and don't try to fight your way through the tiredness. You really do need to have confidence in your surgeon and, I'm delighted to hear that you have.

Don't worry about being so emotional. This will settle with time, but we all get over emotional to start with. You are fortnate to work with small children, as they keep you grounded and have no inhibitions. You are bound to have darker times too. Again we all have them. Mine mostly occur in the early hours of the morning when sleep is evading me. I used to live in Ireland, so know just how nosey, but also generally caring the people there are.

Cancer is certainly a scary word. My mum had cancer and, it was never openly talked about. People whispered amongst themselves about the 'Big C', but never spoke about it to her face. Like you, I want to change that, which is why I am so open with everyone.

I run my own surgery and know most of the people locally too. I have found it easier to meet people as time has passed by. If someone asks how I am, I usually reply with the stock answer 'I'm fine thanks' and accompany it with a smile. You can almost see the relief in their faces that I am not about to enter into a long diatribe. I have a few close friends who know what's happening, but I try to lighten the mood even when I'm talking to them. This has made a huge difference in how people treat me and, as a result, they don't ask every time they see me any longer.

There is always the fear of recurrence. That is something that anyone who has cancer has got to live with. I had a second cancer a year after I had my first surgery. I also found a large lump in my other breast, just months after I had my lumpectomy. Fortunately, that was benign. I am sorry to hear that you found another lump too, but am glad to hear that it was just a cyst. I'm sure that it shook you up big time when you discovered it though!

I shall be thinking of you on 10th January and, hope that you get good news. In the meantime, try to put all of his behind you and, have a Wonderful relaxing Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2020.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Have a lovely Christmas ladies! Here's hoping we all have a healthy, happy 2020 and heal after all of this. ️

Hi ladies

I'm not sure if I'm too late in joining your thread but I've found it really helpful to read. 
I have just been diagnosed with DCIS. 

5.6 cm was found in one duct and more DCIS has been found in other ducts but hasn't been quantified. lymph nodes looked ok on U/S scan. 
I'm booked in for reexcision next week as the margins weren't clear. 5.6cm sounds a lot to me and I was surprised that my consultant didn't initially offer mastectomy or radiotherapy. I just wondered if any of you were given further info as to whether the size of DCIS contributed to you and your consultants decision to opt for mastectomy instead of another lumpectomy. Just trying to clarify my thinking and further my knowledge and understanding. 
Also not sure how these threads work so hope my lack of IT doesn't hinder me! 

Hey, sorry to hear about your diagnosis, I found this thread really helpful. Technology wise I'm seriously challenged so meet your sister!

All my tests indicated the DCIS was around 6cm so was told I needed a mastectomy and to be fair it was exactly that size when they tested the breast after. My understanding was it was too much for a lumpectomy as it was spread across most of the breast, one lumpectomy could have resulted in having to go back for better margins. I'm seven weeks post mastectomy, was told it would be 6-8 weeks recovery and that's pretty accurate. I'm getting the other breast reduced in five weeks, then back to work six weeks after that. It's been a journey but I've a happy ending. If you want any information on how I found the surgery or any questions at all just let me know. Speaking to ladies who are going through it or have been through it has proven invaluable to me. Not people who know people who've had it, but ladies in the same boat as us. X