Hello [@MissThomas1988]‍ 

I must confess, I concealed my name originally because I know my mum is on this forum, and I didn't want her to view my concerns while trying to support her. Would you mind if I didn't reveal my name on here until after her surgery? I just don't want to add to her anxiety should she see it. I hope you understand.  

Thank you for your words of support. We managed to get a cancellled appointment last week (the 17th) where my mum was told she will need to have a mastectomy; the reason for this is even through she has DCIS, the calcifications are quite scattered. She is understandably distraught by this news as originally a lumpectomy looked likely. Also, as my mother is a smoker (she is adamant she will not be after treatment!) she is not a candidate for flap surgery to reconstruct her breast. She has been offered an implant instead. We were told no chemotherapy is warranted. 

Thank you for sharing the next part of your journey. I'm sorry to hear that you, like my mum, will need a mastectomy of your right breast with the added upset of chemotherapy. I am so sorry, Hettie. I'm so glad you have support, and please know, you have mine too. If you would like my email address, let's exchange. I am always around for a chat. If there's one thing I've been encouraged by recently, although shocked by too, it's been the friends who relayed their own experiences of loved ones who've had breast cancer. It's so much more common that I ever realised. You can beat this thing! Keeping going - keep fighting - keep well lovely. 

Thinking of you.

B x