Good news and bad news. The surgeon got all the invasive ductal cancer, and no lymph node involvement. Unfortunately the dcis is grade 3 and pretty widespread. They have recommended a mastectomy with a diep reconstruction. Gutted
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Definitely not the news you wanted to hear. Sending hugs
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@hathawaycat, Thinking of you, wishing you well going forward with your next step, having had this surgery it’s not what we want, but all very doable.
Wishing you, lots of luck and happiness going forward with the biggest hugs Tili 
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That’s tough news to hear. Sending love
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Sorry to hear your news. I also had DCIS high grade. I had two breast conserving operations where they found extensive cancer. Unfortunately I had to have a mastectomy too. I’m in week 7 of recovery after having a skin sparing mastectomy with DIEP construction. I haven’t regretted having the operation.
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Hi, sorry to hear your news, but sharing this information from the Keeping Abreast website to support you with surgery decisions: Video Journey Roadmap - Keeping Abreast . An amazing selection of real life post-surgery videos and they also offer a one-to-one buddy service and groups across the country.
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So sorry to hear your news
I was diagnosed with primary DCIS early last year and had 2 wide local excisions, but as they could n’t get clear margins I was recommended for a mastectomy and a diep flap reconstruction
I was not considered to be urgent so I was not recommended for immediate surgery and I had my operation in June last year
Although it was a long operation I recovered quite well and was pleased with the results
I have just had my year consultation and the because she was pleased with the results the consultant asked to have a photograph taken of my abdomen and reconstruction ( not my face!)
If you have anything you would like to ask I am happy to help eg post surgery bras abdomen support recovery etc
With best wishes and good luck
Honeym x
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Hi @honeym
Thank you so much for your reply. I have my pre op assessment stuff next monday, with a provisional surgery date for 17th August. Feeling very anxious about it all, frightened about the pain, loosing a natural boob and what i will be left with. Not looking forward to feeling useless for a while after, and am going to miss swimming such a lot. I do have many questions and I would like to take you up on your offer. Where is the best place to get post surgery bras? What sort of underwear should I have for after? How difficult was it to sit down and get up, and for how long? When could you manage a bowel movement? When was it was it possible to have a shower without help? How often did you have to see the surgeon after? Were you very sleepy after? I probably have more questions lol. Are you doing well now?
Hi Hathawaycat thank you for your message, I am doing well and it is now just over a year since I had the reconstruction
I found the post surgery bras from Cancer research on line were good, they are front opening and have two or three rows of hooks so are quite adjustable also they are quite pretty. I am a 36 c and found the large size most comfortable. I did buy some from ASDa but I didn’t like them as they had a racer back and were not comfortable and very drab
Abdomen support is recommended I tried a support band but found support knickers more comfortable . Full knickers are comfortable after the op
You should be back to normal activity after about six weeks. I was in hospital for 4 days and was able to walk around the ward for the last 2 days. Also I was able to shower on my own after about a week
Sitting and getting up was ok and my toilet habits were back to normal once I started eating after being on a drip
I went on holiday about six weeks after the op ( booked before cancer diagnosis )
and was able to swim in outdoor and indoor pool but did not chance the sea!
The consultant brought forward my post op checkup as we were going on holiday and it was recommended that we broke our journey on the way down and back
I think I have covered most of you post but if I have left anything out or there is something else please le me know wishingyou all the best with the op
Let me know how you are getting on
Honeym x
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Agree with Bluetit, not the best news but hoping that you have had surgery (or at least close to date) by now and on the road to recovery
Dianne
Hello,
I am on week 3 of recovery and just saw this post and wanted to offer some support. I’m sure every facility is different, but here’s my experience. I woke up from surgery in a surgical bra and abdominal binder with three separate straps, a drain in my breast and two in my abdomen. I was in bed from the start of surgery until about 10 am the following morning when they took out the catheter and I was able to walk with assistance and sit in a chair and go to the bathroom. As long as I passed the tests for my flap and mobility, I was allowed to go home on day 3.
A power lift recliner was a godsend (until it broke) and allowed me to get up and to the bathroom independently. I was also allowed to take a shower when I got home and did this independently though it probably took me a full 30 minutes to go through the process. I started by putting drains in a mesh bag around my neck, dried off all non surgical parts with a towel and then patted down the drains and incisions with individual washcloths (probably overkill but I’m paranoid that way!). then I put on my surgical bra and abdomen binder with gauze cushions under until I was allowed to wear a cotton tank under the binder. last step was transferring the drains to my drain belt or the pockets in my robe or hoodie.
Underwear was a problem between the fluid retention and with the location of my abdomen drains, so I went without and wore my mastectomy robe with pockets for several days and then just wore loose pajama pants or lounge pants the rest of the time. I really did need 2 sizes bigger underwear and pants than my usual. After about a week I bought bikini underwear with a soft waistband two sizes larger, but still a nuisance with the drains. I was able to have a bowel movement maybe 5 days after surgery? Definitely take the stool softener and miralax to help with that.
advice given to me: drink a lot of water, limit caffeine, no alcohol, eat a lot of protein, fruit, and veggies.
Good luck and I wish you a speedy recovery!
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