Hi Helen, 

Just checking up on you, how are you doing, how is your recovery going and your implant? Has the expander been exchanged yet?

Having my op next week so a bit anxious now

Take care xxx

Hey - I had my meeting last week and he said because of my grade and stage/size of the cancer I had (grade 3/stage 3) and it was In 3 out of 7 lymph nodes that I’m too high risk to even be considered for the grade test so I start my chemo in 2 weeks I think I knew in my heart I would be getting it anyway 

ahhh please try not to worry about your opp - I know it’s easy for me to say coz I’ve already had it but honestly it’s really not half as bad as you expect and it will be over before you know it - and think how you will feel when you wake up knowing that the cancer is out of you - it will all be so worth it 

stay busy and try not to think about it too much

Thanks for your quick response, I will try to keep busy as you have advised. 

Sorry to hear that but I hope your treatment all goes well.

Cheers xxxx

hello,

I was browsing and found this thread. I hadn’t joined anything like this but since I’m going through something very similar, I thought I’d write a post and hopefully help each other through. 

I went on a younger women’s mammogram trial and just as well I did as after a call back and many biopsies, they confirmed that I had DCIS HIGH GRADE in two different parts of one breast. 

For medical reasons I opted for a full mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using a fixed silicone implant. 

I went for this option as it’s the shortest operation 2-3 hours and has a quicker recovery time. At the same time as the operation, they did a SLNB where he took 2 lymph nodes out for testing and I get the results on Thursday when I see him again in clinic. 

The operation was very successful I’ve bedn told and amazingly my breasts look symmetrical and it would be impossible to tell that anything had been done in my normal clothes. Unfortunately they couldn’t save my nipple as the dcis was very close to the nipple so I will have nipple reconstruction done in around 4 months time. 

My breast is not too sore surprisingly. My op was 30th April. The most painful sensation is in the upper arm and under arm where it felt numb but now sensation is returning, it feels more sore in that area. It’s also quite sore under the new breast. My surgeon told me it’s where they have sewn onto the rib cage That made me cringe!! 

If my lymph nodes are clear then my treatment ends here and I will have annual mammograms for the next 5 years. 

Hope you girls are doing well. I’d love to hear from you and we can get through this together using a bit of girl power ‍♀️

Hi, thanks for sharing your story.

My op is on May 15th I pray it goes as successful as yours. 

I will update you all.

Cheers. 

Hi, I am 38 years and I too was diagnosed April 26th of low to intermediate DCIS. It’s been all so confusing trying to make a decision. I wanted both boobs out as mammogram didn’t even pick up the DCIS (how am I sure the right breast is clear), not sure if I can request a test for this ( PS can take both breast out but they want me to be very sure that’s what I really want), I got 2 young kids and it’s all overwhelming. They recommended a mastectomy of left breast (as DCIS is under the nipple) with immediate reconstruction with silicon implants. She said I can also come back if I am still uncomfortable after a year or so to take out the right one. It’s all so surreal!

Anyways, I sincerely didn’t want implants and don’t think I can manage without reconstruction either. I asked for flap but was told I am too slim ( I am a size 8 clothes wise), they can’t  take anything from my tummy, bum, thighs. I am really gutted and looks like I am stuck with the implant option ( so worried about asking for second opinion as don’t want anymore delays) not sure if anyone has been in this situation, [@amandajane25]‍ you are so lucky you are able to use your tissue, I looked at your photo and thought she’s looks same size as me. PS said my ops will be Junish/july, just feel like it’s dragging on. 

Please any redponse would be most appreciated.

Hi Syke82, 

Sorry you have to join this club no one wants to be part of but you have come to the right place as you will get the much needed support, strength and advice here.

I was also diagnosed April 2nd with high grade dcis on my right breast, had Mastectomy May 15th with immediate recon using implant, I too didn't want implant but surgeon said using flap was going to increase my healing time vis-a-vis 2 operation sights, and I would find it very hard to take care of my 2 months old baby, surgested I come back after a year or so if I wasn't happy with the implant and then can use flap.

She said advantage of having implant while waiting to use tissues is that you get to save your skin which makes for better results with tissues. 

So if implant becomes your only option you can use it for the time being, who knows maybe you might gain some weight later on. 

I think Amandajane25 said she has quite a curvy bum so they are gonna use that. 

If your op is june/July then 2nd opinion should not delay op, because 2nd opinion according to what I was told, is for your Gp or even your oncologist to refer you to someone or hospital for their opinion,  the hospital then transfers your biopsy results /histological report to the 2nd hospital where they will give you their own opinion on what course of action/treatment they would take if you were under their care, it also gives you the opportunity to ask them about using your tissue and any other questions you have.

You should be able to have a 2nd opinion within 2 weeks after being referred. 

Wish you all the best. 

PS. Surgeon was right about healing time, I started holding and feeding baby right away, initially asking people around to lift him up to me, now I am able to lift him myself (though favouring my left arm more with the weight) , feed him, change him etc. Also the surgeon did a beautiful job with implant recon and I am glad the door is still open for a flap if and when I want one. 

Ah thanks so much for the detailed response/info. I am so glad that phase is behind you and wow! Doing all these already, you bounced back super fast and I am super happy for you. Can’t wait to get my operation phase over and done with . But well done you.xx

Hi there,

I’ve posted here previously about my DCIS and I had the op on 30th April with immediate implant reconstruction. I got the results back on Thursday and because I had a full right breast mastectomy and my two lymph nodes were clear, I’ve been told that my treatment ends here. It was great news and I was so relieved. 

I just wanted to reassure you that my surgeon also did a fantastic job with the silicone implant - I am completely symmetrical and no one would ever guess that I have one implant - they look exactly the same in a bra or bikini. 

I opted for the silicone implant because it was the quickest op - 3ish hours compared to 7 and it’s the quickest recovery time. I have a young daughter and we didn’t even tell her that mummy was having this done because we didn’t want her to worry about me. She’s too young to understand and my recovery has been quick. 

I am now nearly 4 weeks post surgery and I can only feel pain and numbness under my arm and a bit across the scar.  

I think I have struggled more mentally with the speed of the whole process - from going on a younger women’s mammogram trial in January to being diagnosed with DCIS and undergoing a mastectomy all within 3 months. I didn’t have time to process what was happening to me so now I am going to have some councilling to talk it all through. I think it will help me to just reflect a bit and talk about my feelings  

If you have low to intermediate DCIS then you probably do have time for a second opinion as it doesn’t always progress into invasive cancer at all in your life time and it can take many years to do so even if it is going to turn invasive. 

I had high grade so didn’t have time to ponder and was told to have it done urgently. Turned out they were right because they found a tiny bit of invasive cancer in me during the op but it didn’t matter in the end because I’d opted for a mastectomy so they got it all out. 

In the future, if I change my mind about the silicone implant I can always change it but I can honestly say that I don’t have any regrets about choosing it. It’s a really good match to my other breast and quite soft to touch. I’ve been told it will get softer as it settles and I heal properly. 

They can last 10-12 years if there are no major problems. 

Now I just want to focus on getting my life back with my husband and our very active 5 year old! 

Best of luck.