Hi everyone, I’m Rachel, aged 42. I got diagnosed with DCIS last week and it is slowly sinking in. I will be having surgery next month (need another biopsy first) then will see if it’s a lumpectomy or Mastectomy. It’s so hard to get my head around it all, I forget about it for a while and then I suddenly remember again. I’m scared of the surgery mainly because of the general anaesthetic. I guess it’s normal to feel a bit shocked and like it’s not real?
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Hi Rachel, I’m also Rachel. I’m 36 and was diagnosed with DCIS at the end of June. I underwent a lumpectomy mid August but the results came back that it is more extensive than originally thought. I am having a mastectomy and DIEP reconstruction next week. It is a shock and scary to begin with but you will be ok. Make sure you ask lots of questions so you are well informed. You’ve got this! x
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Hi Rachel, thanks for replying, it’s all so strange isn’t it. I am thinking of you with your surgery, please let me know how you get on xx
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It’s the thought of the GA that gets me every time. I have had 7 in the last 30 years - 4 for gynae problems and 3 for the ‘lump’.
I find if you explain your fears to the anaesthetist they will be very sympathetic and will talk you through it all. They will be with you every step of the way and even though to them it’s the ‘day job’ and so routine, they know that we are afraid and have all kinds of worries
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Hello Rachel, I had DCIS and had mastectomy (as in four areas) and immediate diep recon 8 years ago.
I tended to block it all out before, and as you say it’s like it isn’t you going through it. That’s what I’m like with most things😱.
GA will be fine. They really understand what u r going through you’ll see.
I still can’t believe I’ve got a belly boob and it happened to me, like loads of others.
Let us know how you get on. You will be well looked after.
Daryl x
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Thank you for replying, really appreciate it. It sure fear of the unknown I guess x
Thanks Daryl, glad you’re ok now. It’s a rollercoaster for sure! X
It’s completely normal to feel like that. Make sure you ask plenty of questions when you go in for appointments. I had never had an anaesthetic before or been in an operating theatre but everyone was calm and everything was talked through … I had a bit of a panic on the day but theatre staff were very reassuring.
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Hi Rachel, it is a huge shock adjusting to it - unwillingly joining a club you never imagined you’d join. I was diagnosed with DCIS last year and had a lumpectomy to remove it. Before the surgery i was petrified about the general anaesthetic, sure something would go wrong, frightened how it would feel, frightened I’d die!
The staff and especially the anaesthetist were amazing, she said shed look after me, reassured me, held my hand and … done! Woke up, all over.
Its a massive adjustment, be kind to yourself, do whatever you need to feel supported- work, dont work, distract yourself with nice people and activites and use this wonderful group. It has made such a difference to me, through all the ups and downs - and there are many because theres so much uncertainty. Its so normal to feel overhwlmed by it all- we’ve got you! Much love and strength to you, Susie🥰
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Thank you so much Susie x
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Thank you, it feels like I’m the only one having these feelings, but it’s so lovely to realise it’s not just me x
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Hi @947902,
Welcome to the forum. I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis and it is no surprise that you feel in shock. As you can see the form is full of very kind people. We hope you find it a useful and supportive place.
Please do have a look through the various boards and topics to find those going through similar experiences or for places you may be able to share your experiences and knowledge.
Sending our love,
Lucy
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Hi Rachel,
So sorry about your diagnosis. I had a DCIS diagnosis in May and a mastectomy and silicon reconstruction in August. It was a shock but by the time the operation came round I had got my head round it, reassured by teh surgeon showing me photos of similar operations and being surprised at how good teh results are. (My mum had a mastectomy in 1977 and the results then were not good so its wonderful how much things have improved!)
The anaesthetic is actually rather pleasant! One moment you are lying there with a nice anaesthetist reassuring you and the next you are waking up in the recovery ward. I must have been full of drugs when I woke up as I had some sort of golden haze flowing through my system and I wanted to tell the nurse how much I loved her even though I had never seen her before in my life!
It’s surprisingly not painful afterwards - just uncomfortable if you have a drain. So just take every day as it comes and accept all the help and kindness anyone offers you.
xx
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Thank you so much for your message, it really cheered me up x
Hi,
Im sorry to hear of your diagnosis,
I am also 42, and was diagnosed with PR&Hormone+ Her2- grade 2, early stage 8 weeks ago…
I had my surgery exactly one week ago…I had lumpectomy and lymph node removed. I felt the same as you…scared of the anesthetic etc… I had a very good experience from start to finish…i was under for approx 3 hours…
You have nothing to worry about, these professionals know what they are doing…and the anaesthetists stay with you throughout surgery to ensure you have correct amount etc…
I now await my results and hope for clear margins and lymph node…keeping positive but also realistic that it may have spread
You are not alone, and so many people going through this…
Stay strong and positive…sending hugs xx
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Thank you so much, really hoping you get good results xx