HI Marypoppins,

A very warm welcome to our forum. 

DCIS is one of the commoner types of breast cancer and is easily treated, especially in the early stages. It sounds as if your biopsy must have shown up some DCIS cells, but it is good to hear that it has been diagnosed as pre-cancerous. There can sometimes be a thin line between a pre-cancerous and an early cancerous lesion. If there is any chance of a pre-cancerous lesion spreading, it is best to remove the lump before this happens. 

I had pure mucinous breast cancer 15 years ago and had a lumpectomy. Almost a year later, I found a lump in my other breast. This was pre-cancerous. However, my surgeon was happy to carry out a double mastectomy, to prevent any further spread. I then took hormone therapy for 7½ years and have had no bother since then. I was a 44C and had 2 different surgeons. I was disappointed in the appearance of my breast, following the lumpectomy, as I had quite a deep ridge in it. This wasn't noticeable when I was dressed, but I was aware of the unsightly appearance. My second surgeon tried to tidy this breast up when he did my bilateral mastectomies, but it's still not great. How the breast looks post-surgery, will depend upon how much tissue they have to remove and they don't always know the full extent of this, until you are in surgery. I have seen many breasts that looked much better than mine after surgery.

I was sorer after the lumpectomy than I was after the double mastectomies and found it uncomfortable driving over speed humps for a while. The area was sore for the first night, but I recovered quickly after that. It will depend upon how strenuous your normal daily routine is, as to how quickly you can return to it. I would advise you to start your exercises before surgery, if possible and to start them as soon as you can manage, following your operation. This will help you to get back to normal quickly. Do you have a date for surgery yet?

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you so much for your response and information.  It nice to hear from someone who has experience. Right now, I'm only hearing what people think I want to hear. 

I am sorry to hear you have been through so much it must have been tough. I am glad to hear your have not had any further problems. 

My surgery is scheduled for Tuesday 18th, so next week. I think a lot of my anxiety is coming from the fact that I have a young child to take care of. I have worked hard the last 3 years to achieve a first class honours to become a teacher. I am in the process of completing my last maths exam (may) and although I am so grateful it has been caught early, I am also feeling overwhelmed. I feel guilty for feeling overwhelmed and anxious because there are others out there who are in a much worse position than me. 

X

Hi Marypoppins, 

It is always so frustrating when friends and relatives try to be so positive about your outcome and you are feeling frightened. I am glad to see that you don't have much longer to wait for surgery, as the wait is always worse than the operation. Congratulations on completing your first class honours to become a teacher - I'm sure that you'll sail through your maths. I went to university at 50, to study for my degree. I kept down a full-time job, whilst I did this and felt a great sense of achievement, when I got through - I'm sure that you must feel the same. It is not at all unusual to feel  anxious and overwhelmed just now, but it gets easier to cope with once you have your operation and have a treatment plan in place.

You are fortunate that you have caught this early and that it is so treatable. Be prepared to be very tired after surgery and even more tired, with follow up treatments. I certainly was.

I shall be thinking of you on 18th and hope that it all goes well. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx