Hi all,
I have been lurking in here for a couple of weeks, well since Oct 16th - the day I was diagnosed with DCIS in my left breast. Ive been through all the normal emotions and questions - why me? im only 38. I breastfed for 2 years collectively, I have never smoked, i hardly drink.
DCIS is what they call pre-cancerous or non-invasive cancer, so I have kidded myself I dont have breast cancer. I almost feel a fraud telling people whats happening to me - i dont feel ill, i dont look ill. How should i be feeling??
I have a date for surgery - 4th December, I am having a masectomy with immediate Tram flap recon. This scares me - alot.
I know I am lucky, there are many, many people on here who are so much worse off than me. Im not sure why I have posted on here really.
Kerry
Hi kerry, i guess becaue like me, you need the support of people who know exactly how you’re feeling, because they’ve been there too…and they are survivors, who have loads of great advice and good, listening ears.From what i’ve seen, none of them makes you feel daft for voicing your concerns/fears/worries, and they have a good deal of laughter in their lives too.Makes me feel much calmer about my own op (28th of thismonth), knowing i can come here and ask my questions, or just read the comments. I hope things go well with your operation xx
Hi Kerryb, i was diagnosed on the 14th October and have since had a lumpectomy and node removal, I’m Grade 3 with no spread and am seeing my ongcoloist tomorow for treatment as have not had hormonal results yet. Why are you having a mastectomy, what have they told you so far…sorry for my ignorance but it’s all new to me so far.
Hi Narnia,
Thanks for replying. I think i feel like im in limbo at the moment. The last time i saw my consultant, the date of 30th Oct was mentioned, so when I got the call to say it was 4th Dec i was a little disapointed. Really, I just want it all over and done with and to be able to get on with things. I have some wonderful friends and some friends that i wasnt even goingto tell that have been just fantastic, yet also have the flip side of one very good friend who hasnt been near since I told her, I suppose its people coping in different ways. I have a superb hubby and 2 wonderful kids, whom im so scared for. I know I am fortunate to be diagnosed with DCIS, but my main worry is having a cloud over my head for the rest of my life, wondering if every little headache, or illness is something more sinister. Sorry for the rambling - will take myself off to bed now. The best of luck to you for 28th - what are you having done?? Where are you having it donE??
Thanks again,
Kerry
Hi gingery,
Welcome to the Breast Cancer Care chat forums, I’m sure you’ll find much support from your fellow forum users.
As you are newly diagnosed you might find useful BCC’s Resource Pack, to obtain a free copy just follow the link below, it’s full of useful advice to help you through your BC journey.
breastcancercare.org.uk/content.php?page_id=7514
Kind regards,
Jo, Facilitator
Kerry, I was originally told i was having a mastectomy,(two doctors opinion, because my tumour has attached itself to my nipple…sneaky little b’stard!), but i wasn’t coping at all well with that idea, i’m afraid…nightmares,terrified about what hubby would think, what i would look like afterwards, the lot, no sleep, well, cowardly i guess, but just couldn’t get my head around it at all, so they referred me to another consultant at the same hospital, who is going to do a very large WLE with snb ( I have quite large boobs, so this makes it a possibility apparantly) , reconstruction and then reduction of my ‘good’ side, to balance things up…he has warned me that it might still be necessary to do a mastectomy later on, if the results aren’t good, but i feel he is going in with an open mind and i believe he will only do what he feels he absolutely HAS to, which comforts me.I’m being treated in Bath at the Royal and have found the team there to be really lovely, my bcn is super and i can phone her anytime with any question.
you weren’t rambling, it is an awful, horrid and scarey time and i can well understand what you mean about worrying about every little twinge, headache etc…last week, i’d half convinced myself i had a brain tumour, because i couldn’t shift a headache for two days, then realised that over those two days, i’d probably only had three drinks!!! A good wallow in a cup of tea and some glasses of water sorted it out :)… I think really, the trick is not to let this nasty little yob to take over my life, it’s getting an asbo on the 28th and strict instructions not to re-offend (I’m seriously thinking of placing stickers on my boobs when they take me to theatre, warning my surgeon he’s only getting one go at this, so make it a good job!). One day at a time…today is a good day.Cancer is NOT going to spoil it xx
hi kerry
i was dx with dcis grade 2 intermediate in my left breast in august and im having my boob off on the 12th november with immediate recon tram flap(scared) but needs must i did ask for a double mast but doc refused as the other boob is healthy i wanted them both off as i had bc 14 years ago in the same boob wen i was 29 they have said i was just unlucky so i will be fighting this horrible disease again and i will win again i have great support of family and friends were are you getting done? anyway you be strong and positive and you will get through this
take care
big hugs
joanie
Hi Narnia and joanie19, thanks so much for you replies. I too thought about asking for a double masectomy, but read somewhere that you have to go through all sorts of therapy etc to get one, so I didnt go through with the request. The docs keep telling me that i am “quite big” in the breasts, so they cant gaurantee getting the new one the same size as the existing one so they will get me back after 6 months to reduce the other one. Im feeling good today - one month to go, but im busying myself getting sorted for christmas so that my poor husband doesnt have much to do once i go in. Im having a girlie shopping day with my daughter (11) on saturday and am really looking forward to that, then we can spend next week wrapping.
Im going into what was known as Walsgrave Hospital in Coventry but has been rebuilt and renamed Univerity Hospital Cov and warwickshire. My friend over the road was in there a couple of weeks ago and she said the cleanliness is superb - the food not so good, but im sure that will be the last of my worries - especially with my new flat tummy!!!
Big hugs to you both and two fingers up to cancer!!!
We will beat it.
Kerry