Positive post to give some hope at a difficult time

[Cute Aly]

Lovely news.  Hope you continue on fighting x

[Guest user]

Hi Dee

I am really pleased to have found you here. I was diagnosed with DCIS in my left breast on 27/05/22 and I am having a simple mastectomy on Wednesday. It’s been a steep learning curve as I was picked up from a routine mammogram at the end of April. I am in a very positive and optimistic place after a couple of weeks of being scared, anxious and angry at my body. Lots of great advice from women who have gone ahead of me and now my natural tendency to see the good in everything has kicked back in and is helping. It’s so great to read your posts and the replies. Thank you.

kindest regards Annie

[Itiswhatitis]

Hello Onwards123

I am so glad to hear all is going well for you, long may it continue.

My next tip is make sure you do the exercises regularly, you will really notice a  difference in time. Don’t be impatient though, it really is a subtle improvement day by day (well it was for me) and the real improvement will come once you start your hands on physiotherapy sessions.

Oh and another tip, if like me you feel 100 times better than you thought you would please don’t forget to remind yourself you have had major surgery and you need to allow yourself plenty of TLC so no rushing back into anything.

I’m doing well too thanks.

Take care, lots of (gentle) hugs.

Dee, x

[onwards123]

Dear Itiswhatitis.  I had my op  a week ago.  So far, so good.  Healing really well so far.  Thanks again for your original post.  It really helped me with keeping positive up to the day of the op.  Hope your recovery is proceeding at a good pace.  xx

[Itiswhatitis]

Hello Again

I know what you mean about it being a strange thing to be doing. Every time I arrived at the clinic car park I said to myself I can’t quite believe this is me doing this. For me I think it seemed so unreal because before being diagnosed and making all the decisions and arrangements since diagnosis I did not have any symptoms, any pain, nothing - so how can this be real.

Anyway in terms of being flat. Thinking  about it I don’t feel like I have got use to being flat on one side if I’m honest, for me it is more a case of I don’t really notice it. Yes when I look in the mirror I notice it but I never stood staring at my breasts before the surgery so why would I start now and the fact I no longer have a left breast is not constantly on my mind. That’s not to say I don’t look at my scar, in fact I look at it most days but mostly to admire my surgeons handy work, (which is very neat and tidy) and to see where it is tight when I stretch up. 

As for bras.  I bought 2 lovely post surgery front fastening bras from a lingerie shop in Manchester and my BCN gave me a very similar one with my softie. I still wear these now with and without the softie and without the softie the cup on the mx side just lays flat on my chest. It looks perfectly fine and at a glance you wouldn’t know.  I have small breasts (32) though so that probably makes it not particularly noticeable.

I think I rarely wear my softie at the moment because it is winter so when I go out I am wrapped up and when I’m at home, why bother?

What I am most pleased about is that I should be able to wear all my clothes from before the op. The post surgery bras are quite high at the front and back (a bit like a sports bra) so are visible under some lower neck lines and back styles. However the lovely bra I was given with my prosthesis is just like a normal bra so I think come spring/summer I will wear them more. I am really looking forward to buying a few more fancy bras. An online store that has been recommended to me that I plan to try is Nicola Jane.

I hope all goes well with your op in 2 weeks time. Try not to worry about it, because if it is anything like mine you will be surprised at how unlike you have just had surgery you actually feel.

Lots of hugs and more good vibes 💕

[scientistamafier]

I buy my bras in Sainsbury’s. They do some cotton stretchy bras without any padding. I find the cup just lies flat across one side, without any bunching.

I also bought some sports bras in Decathlon. 

[onwards123]

I have remembered your post most days.  Thanks for replying.  I got my date for the operation yesterday for in two weeks time.  It is just such a strange thing to be doing. Currently experiencing relief and terror in equal measures.   Thank you for normalising it is some way.  I am not going for reconstruction.  I think I will get used to being flat on one side soon enough and I can't bear the thought of any more interventions than I need.  I love the idea of wearing my prosthetic like a pair of earrings on occasion.  Thanks for that.  I don't plan on wearing it all the time.  I am slightly depressed looking for bras that cater for being flat on one side.  The best options seem to in the USA.  Any good options in the UK seem to always be sold out.  It is a shame that everything is geared towards hiding it and pretending it didn't happen.  There is little visibility of women who are flat.  I have found plenty pictures of naked women who are flat (and I salute these amazing women) but I would like to see more pictures of clothed women who are flat on one side for inspiration.  That doesn't seem to be a thing at all.  Good luck with your recovery.  I hope you go from strength to strength xx

[Itiswhatitis]

Hello onwards123

I am so glad you found my post helpful. Despite what the experts were telling me, like you I wanted to hear / read it from someone who had actually been through something similar to me and it turned out to be okay but couldn’t.  

Each case is unique to us as individuals but as much as you want to be positive when you are googling it all seems to be doom and gloom, loads of statistics or too clinical.

I’m still doing well and enjoying wearing my prosthesis on special occasions only like a favourite pair of shoes or earrings 😄.

I hope you are doing okay and your pre-op went well - when is your op and will you be having an implant or not?

Take care, lots of hugs and good vibes 💕

[onwards123]

Dear Itiswhatitis

i can’t thank you enough for this post. Less than a month ago I found out I had high grade DCIS & would need a mx & snb. Surgeon seems confident that would be it. Clinic have made it all seem like this is a doable thing that will be okay. But trying to find online someone who has had just this experience has alluded me until now. I was feeling so stressed tonight as I have my pre-op tomorrow.  I am so happy to have found your post. I don’t know what’s ahead, but this helps so much knowing that it could “just” be this. I hope you are doing okay xx

[tappin]

Thank you! Actually, I shouldn't complain as I was diagnosed and effectively treated very quickly, unlike some of the other members! I do find this BCN site very helpful, and encouraging. I am in awe of and admire the stalwart attitude of so many others on here as I'm sure if I had to endure some of their problems, I would not be so brave and determined! I will endeavour to be much more positive for others on their journey!

[Itiswhatitis]

Hello

I am so glad your nodes were clear, what a relief that must have been.

My goodness you have a lot going on, bless you. I’m sure the best treatment plan will be decided upon, the way I look at it is to think, thank goodness there are options. 

Have a positive meet with your oncologist and take care.

[tappin]

Hi itiswhatitis!

Thank you! Well, all is well, I had four nodes removed, all clear. My boob-what is left of it, and my arm are very sore and partly numb, and I have been going the exercises to try and prevent lymphodema, BUT I still have to take Letrozole for 5 years and am waiting to speak (10 Jan) to an oncologist about radiotherapy, (5 days) which I don't have to have, but might be a better option than the tablets. I already take medication for BP, an underactive thyroid,(and have suffered some hair loss as a result) and blood thinners because of a lack of potassium three years ago. I had to stop my oestrogel, and have the Mirena coil removed two weeks ago, and because of the blood thinner, I'm still bleeding! The Letrozole can increase the BP and cause hair loss, bone thinning and constipation none of which I want!  I just  fear for my poor kidneys having to deal with all this medication, and then be told to counter the bone thinning I will have to have calcium and vitamin D (Which I take anyway). Why is there such differing views on treatment and process?

[Itiswhatitis]

Hello Tappin

I hope you have had the results of your sentinel lymph node biopsy and all is well. 

I live in Manchester and cannot fault the care I have received from everyone I have come into contact with.

Monday was another positive milestone for me - I received my prosthesis and a new ‘normal’ bra. I was happy with my softie but my prosthesis is fantastic and in my bra and under my clothes you cannot tell which is the real boob and which is the false one. Yes I would prefer not to have had a mastectomy but I can honestly say I couldn’t be happier with my new boob. 

I hope you are doing well

Take care, 💞

[tappin]

Congrats! Your diagnosis was quick-some people wait much longer! Where do you live? I too had a DCIS, but have to wait till Friday to see if the sentinel lymph node had been affected, but have been told I'd probably need radiotherapy and anti-hormone treatment too, so its all very confusing! I am 76 though, have taken HRT for many years as well, so maybe that makes a difference? At least my bones are like rocks!!!

[Itiswhatitis]

Hello Lovely Ladies

I will be honest and admit I have um’d and arr’d about sending this update but decided that hopefully new and anxious people joining this site will see this post as a glimmer of hope.

I had my routine mammogram in July this year. Got called back for a 2nd screening which took place the 3rd week in August and was told I had DCIS of the left breast the following week - treatment required a mastectomy!

I had surgery, a simple mastectomy without an implant and sentinel node biopsy at the beginning of October.

I left hospital the same day without any drains and didn’t feel at all like I had just had surgery.

I did my exercises religiously every day but succumbed to some cording and a little bit of seroma. The seroma corrected itself but I have been having weekly physio sessions with the most wonderful physiotherapist which has got rid of the cording and now 6 weeks after the surgery the range of movement in my left arm is almost back to normal. I have some stiffness in the removed breast area but my physio is still working with me to improve this.

4 weeks after the surgery I received the brilliant news that the 3 lymph nodes removed showed no sign of invasion and the extensive area of DCIS showed a minuscule amount of microinvasion. All of which means I need no further treatment- no tablets, no radiotherapy and no chemotherapy.

I can’t quite believe that my journey has been so quick and has ended (for now at least) so positively.  I have gone from carefree, to concerned about the future, back to, well not carefree but extremely relieved and if I’m honest in a state of disbelief.

All in all the past few months have been surreal and continue to be so, but for now I am going to try and live my best life and hopefully many if not all of you reading this post can take some hope from this post and get back to living your best life very soon too.

I don’t know what’s round the corner, this disease reminds us all of that, but until someone tells me otherwise I’m going to stay positive. I hope lots of you do too.

Love and hugs

Diane 💞