Elmoss I think I may have just managed to message you let me know if you receive it please x
Hi Kathryn & Elmoss,
If the pm function isn’t activated, then drop the mods an email at: moderator@breastcancercare.org.uk
ann x
Jas58
Thanks for recommending the John Boyages DCIS book, it is so helpful and reassuring. I really wish I’d had it when I was diagnosed, I think it would have really stopped some of the panic.
A friend of family in Australia recommended it and I found it so helpful and reassuring and very readable. Also if you download it updates he has written since get added I have discovered ? good luck with your treatment
Hello everyone thank you for all the replies and helpful advice you have given me so far. I wanted to update you and ask please for your further thoughts. So yesterday I made the decision following appointments with both plastic and breast surgeon that the best thing was mastectomy with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction. Decision was made because it is a reasonable size area and the surgeon thought I would be better pleased with the cosmetic result which is extremely important to me. I would be so very grateful to hear positive comments about not only ladies experience of this procedure but also positivity about how you all felt about your body and relationships afterwards. My husband is being amazing but it is still something that is really playing on my mind. Thank you all in advance for any replies. Xx
Thank you Dizzybee for your kind support and the useful advice you have given me x
Hi Kathryn
I had mx with immediate diep reconstruction. The result is amazing and im so happy with the decision. I have peace of mind its all gone with an op that looks exactly the same as before, although when all has settled i will have day surgery to remove the flap and re-align if need be.
I asked for nipple sparing and although they can only make that final during the actual op, they tested it and did manage to save my nipple which was important for me.
The op is long, 10 hours, gruelling for the family but a nice sleep for you with no complications. I must admit i was very uncomfortable around my abdomen when i woke as i only had just enough fat and skin for recon so they had to stitch very very very tight although ibrufen and paracetomol did me fine. The breast was excellent though no pain whatsoever!
Physios had me up on day 2 and gave me excellent exercises to 3 or 4 times a day. I was walking tall within a week.
Two weeks on and you feel so much better each day.
Four weeks on you “feel” back to your old self
Six weeks on you “are” back to your old self 
I must admit tho kathryn in clothes youd never guess. In the shower looking down its exactly the same but for some reason i cant explain i personally cannot look in the mirror yet and ive developed the mentality that if i cant look then i cant expect my partner of 31 yrs to look but thats me. He has seen it during all appointments though.
So i guess physically i am very pleased and coukdnt ask for a better result but i guess i need to deal with it mentally but i will do it in my own time.
Hope this helps. Any questions just give me a shout
CC XXX PS when is your op planned for?
Hi kathryn ive just written a lengthy reply. It said posted successfully but i cant see it. Are you able to see it?
CC X
Hi Conorchloe how kind of you. unfortunately I can’t see it. Not sure why? X
Look forward to reading it if CC is able to repost. All the kind and helpful comments on here really do help and I hope when I am a little further down the line I am able to be helpful to others.
Hi kathryn sorry ive been out and about this afternoon. I will re-write it the very first chance i get but definately before tomorrow night xxx
Hi ladybowler i just clicked Add Comment on here ? It wasnt a pm ?
Thanks CC I do appreciate it xx
Ladybowler I will definitely do that xx
Hi CC thank you so much for this. I am really encouraged by your surgery recovery experience. I can’t quite get my head around having such a big surgery but the surgeon said that I would not get a good cosmetic result from a WLE because of the size of the DCIS and he knew that aspect is very important to me. Unfortunately because of the position I will lose my nipple but I can have reconstructed at a later date. Am dreading that but at least it will look ok eventually. I am sure it does take a while to look at yourself in the mirror but I guess if you leave it a little while it is giving all the scars a bit of time to settle down as well. I was interested to read you have been with your partner 31 years as that is a similar time that I have been with my husband so I am guessing we may be around same age. I know I am not old at 53 but I had wondered if I would take longer to recover than someone younger so that is encouraging too. I hope I haven’t assumed wrongly. If I have I apologise. I have been told my Op will be 1st may latest but hopefully sooner. Thank you so much for your support CC. How funny that the only nice thing in this whole situation is I realise how kind people can be xx
Hi conorchloe I have replied to your kind message but not sure it has listed posted. Please let me know if you can’t see it x
Hi kathryn no i cannot see any msg. I dont quite know whats going on but its very frustrating x
I will try again tomorrow conorchloe as it was quite a long reply. You are right it is totally frustrating! X
Tried again, anothet lengthy msg but it doesnt like it and wont send it. Kathryn i will pm you tonorrow lovely xxx
Ahhh you got my original msg ive just seen it posted !!! ? maybe they are monitored first andvit took some time! Anyhow ive pmd you saying more or less the same so ignore it lol.
Stay strong lovely wow 1st may thats a long wait ? think 6-7 wks from 1st may, your life hopefully will belong to you again ?