Hi Folks
I had my last oncology appointment today and to all intents and purposes I have been discharged!!!
WHOOPEEEEE!!! 
I was diagnosed in May this year with High Grade DCIS in right breast after a routine mammogram (I’m 53). They said it was early stage breast cancer and as it was caught very early, prognosis was almost 100%. As a result i took it lightly. So you can imagine my shock when the word mastectomy was mentioned! In the end I was faced with a choice, mastectomy or WLE with immediate recon on both sides. The doc said it was 3cm across but as it was high up if I didn’t have reconstruction I would have a visible indentation. As I had quite large boobs there was plenty to work with. After a lot of thought the WLE felt right so that’s what I opted for. I had about a 5 week wait then had the op. I don’t have any fear of hospitals or medical stuff (don’t talk to me about dentists!) so felt that I had a comfortable experience. Was in overnight and left at lunchtime the next day after having drains removed…
I was a bit delicate for a couple of weeks. Had to take it steady . I went out for lunch after 5 days but felt after that it was too soon. Everyone said I needed to be kind to myself but I have never had to before so didn’t really know what it meant until after that op. It was high summer so I could sit about outside when it wasn’t too hot. I was a fish out of water initially as I had never been off work for any length of time before. The worst time was the 3 week wait for results. Luckily my results were clear and clear margins of healthy tissue had been achieved so then I could relax.
About 7 weeks after my op I started radiotherapy. Went every day for 5 weeks at various times of day. It was a very quick in and out, on the machine for about 4 mins that’s all! Boob got very warm and rosy after about 4 weeks but nothing untoward. The worst bit was after the last treatment I had the unusual tiredness but also body aches that lasted about 3 weeks. The annoying thing was that no one involved in my treatment seemed to want to put these symptoms down to the zapping effects of the rads, just that it was more likely to be the travelling every day (unlikely as its only about 5 miles).
I finished my rads on 3rd Sept and was supposed to return to work on 23rd, giving myself 3 weeks for the effects to move on, but in the event I still felt rough so didn’t go back until 7th Oct . I am on a phased return starting on 50% of my hours returning to full time over 6 weeks.
And that’s IT! All done! I feel fine now apart from still getting used to smaller boobs and the affect that’s had on my overall shape. But it’s a small price to pay. I’m still here, relatively healthy and out the other side!!
I hope you didn’t mind me sharing my experience. I thought it might be of help to those diagnosed recently. I know it would have helped me. I count myself very fortunate that its gone well throughout but just wanted to give those going through it some support and confidence in the system.
Take care
JF x