Hi Morgan - so sorry to hear of your diagnosis and I'm sure you're in turmoil right now.

I was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in November 2017. I was recalled after a mammogram and after tests and biopsies was diagnosed in December. I had a lumpectomy in January 2018 followed by 15 sessions of radiotherapy in February/March. For the lumpectomy I was in and out of hospital the same day. No real pain, just uncomfortable until the wound healed. I was advised to wear a non wired bra to sleep in as well for support.

With this type of cancer it is totally contained in the milk duct, is non invasive and not life threatening. I never lost sight of these facts during all my treatment.

My surgeon told me that after treatment I would be cured and they don't say that easily with cancer.

I'm now on a patient led follow up programme which means the they don't call for me but they're only at the end of the phone if I have the slightest worry about anything. I addition I have the reassurance of annual mammograms for the next 5 years.

I hope this helps you a little and if you've any questions I'll be happy to help if I can

Please take care and let us know how you get on. This is a great forum and you may find others popping up to give you reassurance - Irene x

hi thank you for replying.  how long did you have to take off work. the nurse in pre op said if have to take around 10 days ideally i don’t want to take any off other than the procedure. 

whats the scar like? 

I'm retired Morgan so that didn't affect me but I was able to just carry on as normal with my life. Just needed to be a bit careful not to knock it.

I was cut round the aereola on the nipple and you can't see any scar now at all. I have a small dent in my boob but still just wear the same size bra as before. With my bra on you can't tell any difference x

thank you. i have another question. my consultant said when she’s removing my milk ducts she will also be doing a biopsy is this something you had? just wondering as to why i haven’t had a biopsy before and why it’s being done in surgery. 

Sorry Morgan. I can’t answer that. I had my biopsy before surgery. I know they check for clear margins during surgery so they know they’ve removed everything and can only think this may be what she means. I’m sure she’ll explain fully when you ask

do you know the date of surgery yet?

hi thank you for replying. Yes i was given my appointment when i seen the consultant. it’s for the 28th august. that was the next available date she had in her diary. 

Have your questions ready Morgan. Write them down as it’s easy to forget what you want to ask.  

Good luck and let me know how you get on .... Irene xxxx

Hi Morgan, 

I've had what sounds the same. I have had bleeding from the nipple for around 9 months now. I was referred to the breast care unit as "urgent" and after scans / mamagrams and 2 consultant meetings I've been booked in for an op to remove the full milk ducts and some tissue on Wednesday. I'm so nervous and anxious for the procedure and the aftermath. 
I'm 25 with a 1 year old, and that's what I'm more conscious of too. 
 

Please can I ask how yours went? 
Thanks x

hello, i completly understand how you are feeling, i was a nervous wreck my blood pressure was major high on observations whilst waiting in the hospital for the surgery,

the operation takes around 20 minutes, they inserted a local anesthtic into the area before i woke so i wasnt in any pain. i was dishcharged and home within 2 hours of coming out of recovery. im not a hospital lover so discharged my self.

the recovery process was ok and not as bad as i thought. id advise you to buy a non wired bra for you to sleep in as sleeping without a bra was uncomfatble but pain relief given by the doctors helped. 

stitches desolved so no need to have them removed. i will warn you my nipple as first glance was very swollen and resembled a cows udder, i had to keep the clear waterproof dressing on for 5 days and within 8-9 days swelling had almost completley gone . i have noticed my breast seems a little smaller than the other but i was aware it might happen during surgery. 

my results took a week to come back and thankfully there was no cancer but they was not able to give me a reason as to why my nipple was bleeding. 

im now nearly 1 year post op and my scar is a little bumpy but i call it my smiley face. 

i wish you all the best with your surgery, i know hearing of other people still wont calm you down. but i hope this information is ok. 

please keep me updated on how everything goes and the best of luck if you need anymore information please ask and il try my best to answer x