Hi there ...

I had a mastectomy last July ... at first it looked smooth but then as dressings come off it looked really bumpy and had to have it drained twice, it looked really scary  ... but as the months go it gets less and less ... and now just a faint white line ...  

You should be having a post op plan .. for dressings seen by your G P nurse ... and I got a call from oncology nurse after and they gave me their number or any problems ... so if i were you I'd ring both your G P surgery and oncology team and ask them what happens now ... 

And yes I know you feel a tad weepy ..you've just had surgery and been through so much mentally ... it's like a rollercoaster ride... up one minute and then crashing down the next ... so your just being normal ... even superman/woman would be all over the place after what we all go through .. but don't worry, wer all on that same rollercoaster as you ... holding on tight ... and look how far you've come ...

So sending you a vertual hug ... Chrissie x

Hey Chrissie 

you have been on an emotional rollercoaster and have had surgery recently so you Will be tired and sore.

On the positive side it’s been caught early as DCIS is very treatable, no news is good news! It’s hard I know waiting for results and follow up treatment but you will be looked after, the scar will fade over time it’s early days, you should have a number to call your CNS they will support you :) 

i can sympathise as I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in February and had two major operations and waited over three weeks for results which happily were good 

I’m now cancer free!!! But still very emotional and anxious, it takes time 

sending you positive  vibes and hugs xx stay strong

Hi lady

hope u r feeling ok after yr op. Every hosp seems t work different so can only tell u my experience. I had lumpectomy nd 3 wks RT for invasive. I was given my review appt at the same time they gave me my op appt. So knew I would be seeing consultant 8 days after surgery for my path results ( mine was clear margins and lymph nodes). Hosp arranged for DN ( District Nuse) to do a house call day after op ( day case).  She told me I could book appt with DN day 7 post op At GP surgery to remove dressing or I could remove them myself ( I removed them myself). I was told would def b on Letrozole ( given to me to start straight away at the same post op appt I got my path results). When I asked what further treatment I would need the surgeon said he knew nothing of the dark arts of oncology :-) but probably 3 wks RT... he said he was referring me to oncology. I was also given at this appointment an appt for my 6 mth check up for medication check for the letrozole. As I came out of the 6 mth Med check meeting I was given an appt for 12 mth check up. So.... at each appt I was always given the date nd time of the next appt. The only appt I had to wait for was with the oncologist ( they rang me and sent a letter for that app). 

Think Chris is right I would b ringing my bc nurse for advice on your dressing and appt follow up.

take care me dear :-) x

Hi Heidi,  I had the same thing done five years ago this spring at age 45.  I know how you feel, you look in the mirror and feel butchered.  Call the Dr. office and request a followup, he should have already told you the next few months plans.  After the lumpectomy, I had to wait one month to heal, then I had to go and have radiation five days a week for four weeks, was too bad, just a pain to commute an hour a day for five minutes of being in the radiation Dept.  Did get a little "sun burn", and very tired, took lots of naps two and three weeks in.  Then after that I had a follow up appointment to talk over all my other options.  Started taking tamoxifen, Dr. said I would have to take it for five years. My doctor was very desriptive and understanding, if yours is not giving you enough info and keeping you updated as to what you need to do in the future you should find someone else.  If you have any questions please feel free to message me back, it has been a long road these last five years. A year into all this, my mother got breast cancer at age 72.  Dr. suggested I be tested for the breast cancer gene BRCA2, I have it, then Dr. said I would have to take Tamoxifen forever!!  And come in for mammogroams and MRI's rotating every six months, plus blood tests, I would have to do this for the rest of my life.  I was having severe hot flashes twenty times a day, I always felt I was standing in front of a camp fire, I would turn beet red, and be dripping all over my body.  I did all this for 3 years and had enough.  So I then saw the Dr. again and asked what other options were there, I did not want to take this medication forever and was tired of always having to go in for blood tests, mamograms and MRI's... he suggested a double mastectomy, then I would no longer have the breast tissue and could stop all the meds, and medical appointments.  So i did it!  :)

Let me know if you have any questions.  you scar will fade, and you will start to feel better over time, I was really lopsided, so I put a little pad from an old swimsuit in the smaller side, no one knew any different.  

Sheila

"You should be having a post op plan .. . so if i were you I'd ring both your G P surgery and oncology team and ask them what happens now ... "

Absolutely. CHASE them - it's surprising how many Discharge Letters (to GPs etc) go missing or are simply never opened and/or not read by appropriate person.

Much luck.

Hi Sheila, 

I’m  47 and the DCIS I had was only found by my mammogram which I had early due to my family history, otherwise it would not of been found for another 3-5  years before routine mammograms or I felt it!! My mum had breast cancer at 42 and her mum was in her 50’s. I haven’t been tested for the BRCA2 they said I could but don’t necessarily need to as mine and my mums type of cancer is different!! 

They said in the first instance I don’t need radio therapy but never mentioned anything else as I needed a blood test. I do feel like they have been a bit slap dash with me and lack of information. I did call the breast nurses yesterday and she said to take the dressing off myself and she couldn’t see an appointment but it is usually 3 weeks after for the results etc and she will chase the surgeon secretary to book it. I am also going to see my own GP today. 

You have certainly been through the mill yourself, thank you for telling me your experience and advice. Heidi xx

Hi dj48

thank you, I have chased the hospital and they are going to get an appointment sent out once they have chased the surgeon secretary and I am also going to see my GP today x Heidi x

Thanks everyone for the response and experiences, I am chasing and waiting for an appointment and also seeing my GP today, I’ll keep you updated. Much love and virtual hugs Heidi xx