Hi ladies,
Was diagnosed with intermediate grade DCIS a couple of weeks ago and have been advised in light of my MRI results that I should have mastectomy. The surgery has been booked for the end of next week and it’s only really beginning to sink in. I’m 26 with no family history other than my grandmother who had breast cancer in her 70’s, so this has really come as a bolt out of the blue. I’m pretty body conscious as it is and am nervous about how much this all will change me and my life moving forward. My surgeon also mentioned that there is a chance I’ll need further treatment (I think they are suspicious that they might find a few mm’s that have advanced from DCIS as i’m told younger women mostly present with invasive disease?), worst case chemo, which has added to this.
In terms of the mx, my surgeon has gone through the reconstruction process with me and I’ll be having an expander implant fitted on the same day…I think this also surprised me as in my ignorance I thought a full impant would be placed under the muscle and that I’d be on my way until it came to nipple reconstruction. Oh dear. Anyway, many of the posts on here have really helped me think positively and thanks in advance to anyone who takes a minute to say hey.
Missy xxx
Hi Missy and welcome to the BCC forums
In addition to the support you will soon have here, please feel free to call our helpliners for further support, information and a listening ear, lines are open 9-5 weekdays and 10-2 Saturdays on 0808 800 6000
You may find the information and further support in our ‘Younger women’s’ section of the website useful and you can find this here:
Take care
Lucy
Hi i know you are probably in shock with it all. I am 42 a lot older than you I know but am also someone who is keen to look good. I had a mx last August with expander fitted and then a reconstruction in December and my nipple will be sorted out this year. I promise you that its ok, I just felt this huge sense of relief after the mx that they had got rid of the cancer. It is such a thorough procedure. Please pm me if you want any more info and support.
wishing you all the best and sending you lots of positive thoughts
C xxxxx
hi missy,
sorry to hear your news. it sucks doesn’t it. i’m 32 and was diagnosed in feb. i had a WLE and lymph nodes removed in march but i’m due to have a masectomy later in the year. I’m waiting for a dste for chemo to start. There is absolutely no family history.
i share your concerns and worries about the effect a masectomy has on body image etc and i thought the same as u regarding the implant going in!!
if you’d like to PM to share your concernes please feel free
either way all the very best
Netty x
Hi Missy
I’m 47 so a fair bit older but I had mx with expander on 21/3 - I wasn’t nervous as I trusted the surgeons and recovered very well and very quickly. The expander has already been partially expanded and I’m very pleased with the result as I still have a cleavage and could wear low v-necks if I wanted to as long as I have something in my bra to make me even - I was a 36E so there is still a way to go to get ‘even’! 
I start chemo on Wednesday this week so just starting on my next steps.
I hope your op goes well and you have a good period of recovery before any further treatment, if you have any questions please ask and I’ll try to help but being older I may not have all the answers. I do recommend doing the exercises in the BCC brochure for surgery recovery though as they help for the longer term!
Kate
xx
YOU HANG ON IN THERE CHICK WE ARE BOTH IN THE SAME BOAT .i DISCOVERED A LUMP AND THOUGHT WORST CAS WAS A LUMPECTOMY BUT SEEMS I HAVE TO HAVE A LUMPECTOMY IN THE RIGHT AND A MX IN THE LEFT SO REALLY NO HOW YOUR FEELING. i GO IN ON FRIDAY 19TH
Thank you sooo much for your replies ladies, it really means a lot hearing from people who can relate and from people who can offer their own experiences/advice. Cazza and Katebil- it is good to hear that the reconstruction process is working out… I guess it takes time and lots of positivity but I’m sure us just starting the journey will get there too. I had been feeling guilty for worrying about the aesthetics so I’m also really glad to know we’re all in the same boat. I know that might sound obvious but honestly, my usual thought processes were singed by the BC news.
Wishing everyone the best of everything for their mx’s, recoveries, reconstructions and any further treatments…one thing I’m starting to realise is that us women are pretty strong and that there is always someone out there willing to lend support when needed. It’s really amazing I’ll be taking up offers of PMs, I hope that’s ok. Lots of love xxx