Hi
It was a few days after my 50th birthday when I attended my first ever mammogram. A few weeks later, I had a call back. I wasn’t especially worried as the bcn had said call backs for first mammograms were common and not to be concerned if I received one.
During that follow up, I was given a further mammogram, an ultra sound, a consultation with a doctor and a needle assisted biopsy after being told they had concerns regarding my left breast. It all happened rather quickly from there - I was told I would receive my results in two weeks. They had spotted micro calcifications. Two weeks later I got my call to say my results were inconclusive and another biopsy was needed. This time a vacuum assisted procedure. It all felt a bit surreal and like I was living in somebody else’s world for a bit…
Another two week wait and I got invited to see a breast consultant to receive my results.
A very kind lady surgeon told me that I had high grade DCIS and that she recommended a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using an implant. It took a while to process this news. I was referred to a different oncoplastic team to carry out the procedure. The referral took 5 weeks to come through which allowed me time to come to terms with what I was facing.
At the initial consultation, the manner of the oncoplastic surgeon was very different. I have since learnt that these surgeons can appear colder and more distant as they assess your body for surgery. The biggest dilemma I had was that this surgeon was suggesting a completely different surgical option. She was adamant that I should have a lumpectomy with breast reshaping using a muscle from my back. She said I would also need 5 episodes of radiotherapy. The complete turnaround was mind blowing after coming to terms with losing a breast. It was a very challenging time - I went away and researched lots, learnt more about my condition, and the two types of surgeries but I always had the preference for mastectomy in my mind. In the end I returned to the original surgeon, who had delivered the news initially as I needed to understand her reasons for recommending mastectomy in the first place. She said that with my particular DCIS, due to its size, location and high grade, it was more likely to return in the future with lumpectomy and she felt mastectomy would give me the best outcome. I was also keen to avoid radiotherapy which would have been required with lumpectomy.
This surgeon re-referred me to different surgeon who was brilliant - extremely well versed in his field and presented both surgical options to me in a calm and unbiased way. In the end, he performed a skin sparing mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using an implant. He also performed symmetry surgery on the right with an uplift - this felt indulgent at the time but it was important for my self image and confidence and also important professionally for the surgeon to achieve a good cosmetic outcome.
I’m happy to say all went well and I am now 12 weeks on from surgery. I am amazed at how quickly my body is healing. The overriding emotion is relief - relief that the DCIS is gone, to be on the other side of surgery and to move forward now. It was recommended that my nipple be removed also and I am now waiting to have a nipple reconstruction in the future. This will make me feel complete.
I think this forum is a fantastic place for women to be able to talk, share and consult each other on things you wouldn’t necessarily speak to your bcn or surgeon about - the more we can do to reduce our anxiety levels the better!