Hi Elizab, sounds like we have similar diagnosis's'. I also have an invasive cancer lump and an area(s) of DCIS. You are further ahead than me though, I'm still waiting for the results of the latest stereotactic biopsies as I have another area of potential precancerous ? cells. They need to confirm the situation with this also before they verify my treatment. Although consultant has confirmed my breast is not large enough for two wide exisions and so.... From what I've been told they try to do it at the same time when they can. If you've seen the plastic surgeon already,  I would 'guess' that  not having the reconstruction now wouldn't bring your masectomy much closer if any. But that is my guess, I'd suggest you ring your breast cancer nurse or consultant and ask them if they will help you. 

sorry it's not much of an answer, but hope it helps a little x 

Thanks for replying MickeyM. I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis and hope you get your results soon - the waiting is so hard! They had to try stereotactic biopsies on me 3 different times to finally extract the right cells but I'm glad they persevered as at least I definitely know I have to have a mastectomy. I called the breast cancer nurses twice today and they said someone would get back to me but they haven't. So then I tried the hospital where I'll have the op but no one picked up. This is all teaching me that I'm not in control but I don't feel so desperate about it today, more resigned that there's not much I can do...

Hi Elizab, let me just say wow - they warned me they may have to do it again if they didn't get enough cells and I said that they'd just have to get enough as I wasn't doing that again!! I have quite a wide area and they told me after they'd got a good sample and so I'm hoping that's the case. I've taken my dressing off now, but what a hole and it's so sore. I hold my hat off to you going through that three times, I really don't think I could do that. 
 

I know our breast nurses say they'll call back within 24 hours  and I guess Monday is one of the busiest days for calls. I know what you mean about 'control', but I just wish we had some sometimes if you know what I mean? I hope you get your answers tomorrow. I'm glad you feel a bit better about it today though - it's just all so tiring, I find. 
 

let me know how you get on if you feel up to it xx 

Thanks Mickey. Well I got called back by the breast nurse and she was great. She took the delay really seriously and said she will talk to the consultant to see if they need to change my treatment plan eg have a mastectomy now and the reconstruction later (although I don't really want that as I hear women are waiting 18 months for delayed reconstructions).

That's funny what you say about not having the biopsy again. The first time was before my diagnosis so I didn't realise the importance of getting the right cells. The second time I had a radiographer who got really upset and frustrated that she wasn't being successful (she was able to x-ray each sample immediately) so when she said she was going to stop I didn't argue with her. The third time a really confident woman walked in, and told me she was going to keep going until she was successful. I loved her conviction. And she was successful first time! I was lucky, it wasn't that painful. I'm finding the recovery from the sentinel lymph node biopsy pretty tough though. This forum has been great in finding out that the burning skin sensation is normal. Weirdly comforting!
 

I hope you've had a good day and have been able to take some time out for you x

Hi Mickey

Well I have a date - 30th November. Later than I'd hoped (it's 4 months after diagnosis) but earlier than I'd feared. I feel so relieved although a bit nervous that COVID will get in the way.

How are you doing? Are you still waiting for your results? You reminded me that I didn't have the stereotactic biopsies under mammogram - they tried for about 40 minutes but it didn't work so I had them under ultrasound instead. The sentinel lymph node biopsy was done to see if the cancer had spread to my lymph nodes. It's done under general anaesthetic (day surgery). If you're having a lumpectomy they do the sentinel lymph node biopsy at the same time. But if you're having a mastectomy with reconstruction they do it beforehand. If you need radiotherapy they want that to be completed before the reconstruction because it can damage the tissue.

You're right, keeping busy is the best way to keep the worry away. I have also got back into workouts to get the endorphins going!
 

Hope you're having a good weekend 

Eliza

Hi Eliza, 

I'll reply more later, just forcing myself to pop out. Is the 30th for both masectomy and the reconstruction ? Hugs Mickey xx

Hi Eliza, I did send you a message just letting you know as I know you don't get an automatic alert with those xx