Hi
New to the forum after I received a diagnosis this week - DCIS and invasive ductal cancer. As I’m sure it was for everyone, it’s come as a huge shock as I’d convinced myself it was all going to be fine.
I’m just a bit bewildered, confused and overwhelmed - by the language being used, by the process of what happens next, the feeling of having just fallen off the edge of a cliff.
At this point I’ve been told I’ll need surgery (written on the sheets as a therapeutic mammoplasty, but think it’s similar to a WLE?) and radiotherapy.
But I’m confused as to whether I need further tests to see if there’s been any spread? If there’s any chance it’s elsewhere? The nurse said they weren’t ruling out that chemo might be necessary.
Anyway, sorry for the random rambling, no real question just felt the need to vent some of my confusion. Have a follow up appt with the consultant this week so I guess I’ll need to ask questions then. Not sure what I need to know though.
Thanks for reading!
Ditto! All I know for sure is Grade 1 Tumour but MRI has revealed more areas that they have now biopsied. I get final results on … Friday 13th! Am trying to think of questions I should be prepared to ask.
Hello Quaggie,
Sorry to see you here. I am sure there will be lots of lovely people here soon offering you good advice. I just wanted to send you empathetic good wishes and for you to take a deep breath. It can feel so overwhelming at first. You are at the stage of not knowing all your details yet and maybe your mind is playing various scenarios with the results of feeling overwhelmed, scared and not in control of the situation… You are not “random rambling” and don’t apologise cos you have nothing to apologise for.
I thought therapeutic mammoplasty was like a wle/lumpectomy combined with breast reshaping/reduction surgery (so both breasts match). My understanding is that radiotherapy would still be offered after the operation, as is standard for wle/lumpectomy. I am sure other women who have had it done will no doubt come along and give you better infomation.
Usually we are put through further tests to check for spread and for other reasons, for example if having chemo and so on. I am assuming you have had a biopsy. You know that you have DCIS and invasive ductal cancer in the breast. Did they give you any details of the grade and stage or if it was, for example hormone positive or her2 positive? Don’t worry if you have not yet been told this. It may be that at the time of informing you that they did not have the full information.
So take a deep breath and maybe write down all your questions, concerns and confusions that you want to ask at your forthcoming consultation. There is lots of information available on this site like the breast cancer care booklets when you are ready to look at these. Maybe the nurse you saw gave you the Breast Cancer Care folder? You can also ring the helpline tomorrow if you want to try and clear your head abit and speak with people directly.
Take care Quaggie and always remember that you are not alone x
Hi Quaggie.Its such a shock isnt it.I have cancer in both of my boobs.2 different types just my luck.Im going in on the 20th for Double mastectomy i litterly cant wait now.Just want the Cancer gone.Good luck to you.Big hugs xx
Well done Sue.Im so happy for you.How Amazing xx