Hi Everyone,
I was recommended this forum as it was more specific to what I’m going through. I was diagnosed with DCIS 3 weeks ago after a standard routing mammograph. Completely out of the blue. I have to have a mastectomy as the calcification covers 110mm and is high grade. I have to wait till 8th Jan to have an op to remove 3 sentinel nodes and then wait again for the mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction on my left breast.
A lot of the posts I’ve read these were both done in the same op? Is having them separate necessary? I’m concerned as I was told at the start that it would all need to be done within 2 to 3 weeks, now it’s looking like months. Is anyone else in this position now? I could do with a hand to hold through this to be honest.
The sound of widespread and high grade worries me too. I’m 54 and have 3 kids but all over 16 now. Self employed so worried about the time I might have to take off work too. How long have others taken or taking/will take off? Sorry about all the questions.
Thanks
Sam x
Hi Sam,
Sorry you find yourself here but we are a friendly bunch I promise x.
Im self employed too, diagnosed in May 2019 with a 15mm grade 3, stage 1 invasive breast cancer. The thing I didnt realise back then is that there is so many possible treatment options which are all tailored specifically to you that it is hard to say ‘how long’ and each person responds differently to treatments too. Some people have sailed through surgery, chemo, radiotherapy and hormone therapy and been able to carry on working, whilst others have been unable to.
My advice is take each step at a time and don’t worry about the next bit, make sure you stay in touch with your breast care nurse, and if you dont have one, ask for one as they are brilliant.
I have had 7 months off now, active treatment finished on 4th dec and Im just thinking about easing back into work now.
Be kind to yourself and hopefully someone who has a similar experience to you will be along soon.
Also I recomend you join in the January Surgery Thread for moral support too
Good luck
Helly xx
Hi Ollie’s, plenty of hands (for holding) on here. I have found it to be a huge support. I found it hard to take in, retain and process much of what the surgeon said to me, so tended to ring the nurses at breastcancernow and MacMillan to ask questions, as that - in my head- didn’t take up hospitals time/ resource. But that is what worked for me and everyone feels differently. Would say, don’t be tempted to Google to get answers to your questions, as you run the risk of confusing yourself and worrying yourself.
Best wishes. Wonky