Hi, I was diagnosed with high grade dcis and after mammogram mri and 16 biopsies they cant tell me what is in the bottom part of my right breast until they go in...some could be benign some cancer or all cancer cells. 

After looking at my scans and speaking with my surgeon he couldnt guarantee he would get it all....it is literally speckled all over the lower breast.

In the end it was my choice, I have a young child and im a worrier...would always be worried they hadnt got it all and it was my choice I wont need any further treatment I dont think (touch wood) and I will have a reconstruction at a later date...x

Hayley

Hi Debbie, Hayley and May,

I am so sorry to hear that you have all had to have face -to-face consultations for your results. However, when there is a positive diagnosis it is better to get this direct;ly from the consultant and, to be able to discuss further treatment. It is so unfortunate that you are being diagnosed during this pandemic, but I'm glad to hear that your surgery is going ahead regardless. I don't think that many hospitals, if any, are doing reconstructions at present, but these can be done once things get back to normal. I appreciate that it would be more convenient to get it all done at once, but this could carry a greater risk of infection.

Most surgeons are reluctant to carry out a double mastectomy unless both breasts have cancer. They say that it is no more effective to have a bilateral mastectomy than to only remove the infected breast and carry out suitable treatment after surgery.

I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer. The first was 10 years ago and I had a lumpectomy, followed by Tamoxifen. I discovered a second lump in the same breast a year later and had a double mastectomy , followed by Letrozole for 6 years. I stopped taking this in July 2017.

I just wanted to reassure you all that I found it much easier than expected to have this procedure. Unfortunately, I couldn't have reconstruction, due to previous non-cancer related surgery, but I have managed well since then with a selection of different prostheses for different activities.

I hope that you all get your dates for surgery soon and that everything goes well for you. Do please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine

Thanks for replying, I have read your story on another post as this site has kept me sane while I was waiting for my results. 

I am surprisingly calm about it all and rather it gone than wondering if they got it all and this way I can get on with no radiotherapy...fingers crossed x

I'm a single mum with 3 kids youngest being 2 and am always on the go. 

I have had my pre op on monday they have given me all the information I need regarding ward I will be on fasting and hospital information and the nurse is ringing me tomorrow morning, hopefully with a date.

I dont think I will be waiting long x

Hayley x

Grade 2 ER+ ductal invasive breast cancer 

Need to decide lumpectomy or mastectomy.

Still writing on HER2 results and lymph nodes pathology post surgery) but if all comes back clear then it's surgery + radiotherapy + hormone treatment (Tamoxifen) for at least 5 yrs.

Hi izzy, 

Glad you got your results and you know what your dealing with now.

What surgery are younleanimg towards the most...I know it's a big decision x and a lot of info to take in at once x

Sending you lots of love 

Hayley

Hey. What bothers me is it will mean a reduction and I have small breasts (i have a small back so while my bra size is 32D, I am more like a big B small C cup)

I've just phoned my mum and I hadn't thought of this but could get it covered ultimately with a tattoo (this come from my mum who's very anti tattoo). I have tattoos but hadn't thought of that. 
 

because I'm slim, and I've had c sections, if I was to have a mastectomy there is no guarantee that they'll be able to use tissue for a reconstruction anyway.

when they talked to me I thought mastectomy but now I'm leaning towards lumpectomy 

Ooh I like the tattoo idea very much.

I would be left with less than the top half of my boob and dont think i could live with that...

My surgeon mentioned implants too dont know if you had considered that? 

I have plenty of fat for them to use after 3 kids lol and he has promised me he will give the other one a lift as well so they look roughly the same x 

Unfortunately I'm told mine is on the worst place esthetics-wise and without a mammoplasty I'll be left with a massive dent in the inner bottom corner and nipple looking inward so they can pull the breast in and pull the nipple up (with risk of necrosis) to make it look like a breast but it will be smaller.

cant have implants after radiotherapy, I'm told 

See because he is taking all mine away I shouldn't need radiotherapy...trusting that the lymph nodes come back ok.

I would have lost my nipple anyway...I would literally be left with the top part of the breast.

You can only make a decision that is right for you xx

Hi Hayley,

I am glad to hear that you feel quite calm about all this and can fully understand why you just want rid of it all. I hope that your date, when it comes through, is soon.

You will have your hands full with 3 young children at the moment. Do you have someone who can look after them while you're in hospital?

I don't think that you'll be waiting long either and, I hope that all goes well for you. Please keep in touch and let us know how you are getting on.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx