Advice please-refusing surgery and trying juicing

[Liz.stanley]

No worries!! Appt went well today. Had 1 drain out, another next Wednesday when I go for another check up. Get results on 1st February then discuss starting chemo. Consultant pleased with how well it went/ how its healing etc. Going to call for a coffee on way home xx

[Janey2]

Hi Liz. Hope you're starting to feel a little brighter. Just wanted to apologise for my last out of sequence post. For some reason the email link took me to page 2, where you were still waiting for your op! Hope you are resting lots xx

[Moijan]

Great stuff Liz,

hang in there....Every day should show a little improvement.

Moijanxx

[ann-m]

Hi Liz, 

Thanks so much for updating us & am so relieved for you!

We do all manage to get through it despite the normal wobbly moments.

Speedy recovery,

ann x

[whitelily]

Hi Liz really glad everything went well for you and you are coming out the other side. I was thinking of you .All went well for me too thanks still in hosp should be home tomorrow been a tough week but have felt a bit better everyday onwards and upwards for us xx

[Janey2]

Hi Liz

Good luck with your operation. I was sent home with an exercise leaflet and Breast Cancer Care have leaflets also. I live with a driving instructor, who has always taken great joy in testing my ability to do an emergency stop after two previous operations! I have to tell him I just need to be able to stop suddenly and not pass my test! Joking aside, I felt very uncomfortable driving due mainly to using the gear stick and wearing a seatbelt, as my cancer was in my left breast. I was much happier as a passenger for a good few weeks after the op. My partner didn't stay on the ward the group of us waiting soon formed a chatty group as we sat together, sharing stories.
You will read over and over on here how waiting is the hardest part and it really is. Finally getting to surgery meant for me that I was finally starting the fight to beat the b*****! Big hugs xx

[Liz.stanley]

Hello girls. I'm ok thanks, all went ok. I came out of hospital the next day but have 2 drains in still. Im really exhausted today.
How are you Whitelily?
Xx

[Moijan]

Hi Liz, how did everything go?

hugs, Moijanxx

[Jo C]

Liz, my period started too just before my op. Think it must have been all the excitement 😬

Good luck xx

[Liz.stanley]

Thanks girls, I really appreciate your advice and support. Really scared and emotional but hoping after the operation I'll be cancer free if the sentinal node clearance is negative.
Thanks for the blue dye advice- just to top off my day my period has decided to arrive also!
Will keep on touch. Xx

[Jo C]

Good luck Liz. I was DCIS that turned out to be invasive. Mx is doable. I was terrified but the anaesthetist and surgeon were lovely and reassured me. You will be fine. Come back and let us know how you're doing. Watch out for the blue dye if you're having a sentinel node biopsy. Everything comes out blue and I felt a bit like a smurf!

Jo xx

[Emily T]

Good luck tomorrow liz xxxxxxxxxx

[Strudel]

Hi Liz, so pleased to see you you're having the op. I note from your second post that as well as the large DCIS you have a small invasive grade 2 which is HER2 +. That changes things and you will get through with the support here.

White lily, you're 5 years out? I love it when people post who have been clear for years. Thank you. X

[whitelily]

Thanks Steph and Helena you are all such a support us ladies need to stick together xx

[Steph J]

Hi Whitelily 

good luck for tomorrow . Big hugs xxx

[whitelily]

Thanks Helena yes not far from me. Liz will be thinking of you tomorrow when you are getting your gown and paper knickers on I will be too!! you are making the right decision I am 5 years down the line now and don't regret anything Love to all ladies who are having surgery this week xx

[Steph J]

Hi Liz 

You really dont know how relieved that I am that you are going to the hospital . The decision was obviously yours to make but I believe youre giving yourself the best chance . The juices etc can be taken aswell afterwards because I think we all probably look more closely at our nutrition and what is deemed good for us . Deal with the here and now first . Big Big hugs . I will be thinking of you on Monday . It is very brave  of you to face your fears . Good luck  Steph xxxx

[Liz.stanley]

Good luck. You're not too far away! I've opted for the implant reconstruction using an implant. I hope you recover quickly x

[whitelily]

Hi Liz I am near Solihull West Midlands. This is my fifth op as I have had some problems. Good that you have support around you this will help in your recovery. I am having Diep and will probably be in for up to a week. Hope all goes well you will be well looked after and it will be over before you know it,I am sure you will be fine it is just fear of the unknown. Just know that you are not going through this alone xx

[PeggyCat]

Hi Liz,

Nice to see you back here. There is so much going on in the lead up to the surgery that your time will most likely be very occupied. You usually see the surgeon, anesthetist and a nurse at least and if you are scheduled for the morning then hopefully there won't be too much hanging around for you. 

Like you, I was told I'd be in for one or two nights after my implant reconstruction. Strangely I actually quite enjoyed my time in hospital. I'd never stayed overnight before so it felt like a novelty. The morphine they gave me after surgery might have had something to do with my elevated mood perhaps  

Sending hugs

Ruth xxxx

[Liz.stanley]

Thanks for the tips. Whitelily, I hope your op goes well on Monday. You're not in Stoke are you?!!
I've got a brilliantly supportive family and friends but none of them have been through this surgery to be able to advise like you all can x

[whitelily]

Hi Liz I echo what everyone else has said, all of us understand your feelings completely as we have all been through this. The feelings of shock and fear are normal at the beginning but it does get easier. I am also going for surgery on Monday for recon and have to be dropped at 7.30 and know my husband won't be able to stay as this is their policy and happened last time, they don't have room for relatives. I guess in relation to your thoughts on juicing hopefully things are a bit clearer now you have had time to think I guess you have to ask yourself if you would be comfortable with whatever decision you make and would not regret it? I am scared about Monday but know it will be the only way I can move on X

[Liz.stanley]

I've been told I'll be morning surgery but that I'll be staying 1 or 2 nights as having implant reconstruction. Hoping to be back on feet asap- have plenty of help but have children at home so hoping that boosts me along.
Were you all sent home with arm exercises?
I wish I'd found you lovely ladies earlier and not worried so much alone.
How long before you can drive?xx

[Sallyann43]

Hi Liz... I am 3 weeks post mastectomy op .. it said that friends/relatives couldn't stay on the day surgery ward but as I was sat in the waiting room for a couple of hours, my hubby actually stayed and didn't leave until I was called through.
I totally understand your fear/anxiety and I don't even think it's possible for anybody to be more scared than I was but in all honesty, on the day I think I must have just been so relieved that something was being done that I was ok ... I have recovered really well after the op and it all seems a bit of a blur apart from I still have a bit of numbness on the non boob side and it feels a little bit bruised .. i would never have thought I could go through with it as I have a phobia of hospitals.
The nurses etc will look after you really well ... I had my op at 2.45pm and was home at 7.45pm ... I had been there from 7.30am though
Big hug for Monday
Sarah xxx

[ann-m]

Hi Liz, 

So glad you've come back, this is always such a shock & we've all had meltdowns at some point - goes with territory!

Treatment for bc is excellent these days & it probably doesn't feel like it now, but thank goodness it was picked up when it was, so it can now be dealt with.

I had day surgery as well, quite frankly, I was so relieved it was going ahead, as it depended on my MRI results & I was getting rid of the little sod, that my blood pressure went down. The team were lovely.

You will soon be out the other side & as when going through this, the reality is never as bad as our imaginings when the mind goes into overdrive.

do let us know how you get on, there's loads of support here & we've all been there.

hugs

ann x

[Happyboobs2]

Hi Liz.

Regarding your question as to whether it is normal for your partner to have to leave you at 7 am at the hospital, all I can say is that is what happened at my local hospital when I had my surgery.

It was a day surgery unit and I was told that there was no room for relatives.

There was a few of us in the same circumstances and we chatted amongst ourselves. 

It was really well organised and we quickly went to theatre.

I felt very well cared for.

The anaesthetist told me that just a few years ago we would have been in hospital for four days.

I wish you well.

xx

[Liz.stanley]

Hi ladies, thank you for your lovely messages and advice.
I was having a complete meltdown last night. My partner and I had gone away for the night for the firsr time since children (10years) before all the stress and treatment starts. Well not the stress as that started on diagnosis day! We were discussing what ifs and found ourselves on youtube watching videos about cancer juices!

I started with pain when out running in October - not real pain, just discomfort really. Gp referred and consultant couldn't feel anything but sent for ultrasound for peace of mind. The ultrasound picked up a small 1cm lump. When I went for tge results 2 weeks later I expected lumpectomy and radiotherapy at worse. Consultant explained he was surprised but I had grade 2 small invasive cancer and a larger area of DCIS in same left breast. Also herz positive. They said the cancer was aggressive.

I was gobsmacked to hear the words chemo and mastectomy, never in my wildest dreams did I expect the consultant to advise this.

The hospital have advised for me to be at the hospital for 7am Monday, my partner will have to leave straight away- is this normal?!!

Liz x

[Anita]

Hi Liz I really can understand how you feel. My treatment was the first time at 51 that I'd had surgery & I was scared, too. I think I'm echoing everyone else when I say I couldn't have turned the surgery down. Knowing that after surgery the lump would be gone & hopefully the cancer as well. I couldn't have not left that lump inside me & trusted to natural methods. None of us know for sure what would have happened if we hadn't gone along with the surgery or had any other treatment. I know what I would call miracles do happen & some people's cancer does seem to disappear but I would hazard a guess that this is very rare. Please think about it & hopefully talk to people that can give you more information. Being healthy with juicing etc is all good & by all means carry on with that but at the moment all the evidence seems to side with surgery & follow up treatment. Please keep in touch with us all & let us know how you get on & what decision you finally make. At the end of the day it is your decision & I wish you all the best with whatever you decide xx

[PeggyCat]

Liz,

Lots of good advice here from everyone. I had a mastectomy and reconstruction August bank holiday weekend 2015. I'd never had surgery in all my 51 years and was utterly terrified. I honestly thought that my life was over and I'd never enjoy anything again. The reality was far less traumatic than I'd feared and I made a pretty speedy recovery. I'm also really pleased with the outcome of the reconstruction - the surgeons can do amazing things. As others have said, the people who will be looking after you are experts and always so kind. You will be very well taken care of I assure you. 

Please don't discount conventional treatment. One of the things that has kept me optimistic throughout treatment and recovery is the thought that our very wonderful but cash strapped NHS would not spend so many resources on treating people for this disease if they didn't have the evidence that it was sucessful in the vast majority of cases. There are lots of us who have been through what you are going through now and come out the other side to enjoy life once more.

I remember reading about apricot kernels several decades ago but am absolutely sure that if they had been found to be of real benefit in curing cancer then I'm sure they'd be utilized in mainstream treatments by now. As someone says below, there is an awful lot of "woo" out there, especially on the Internet, and if you look closely it's all to do with someone making money at the end of the day.

Absolutely no harm in making sure you are looking after yourself nutritionally. It's one thing I addressed when going through treatment and I believe it helped in my recovery. My BCN told me that it helps to eat really good quality protein leading up to and recovering from surgery.

Anyway, hope you don't mind me putting my tuppeneth in. Stick around here as everyone is so wonderfully supportive and let us know how you get on. Good luck on Monday. You are going to be fine. 

Ruth xxxx

[Steph J]

Hi Liz

You havent said what grade DCIS it is that you have . Low grade at this moment in time is a controversial subject ... Im sure you already know all of this though . It could grow so slow and never effect you ( so they say ) But and the big But was it could not be guaranteed ! 

Im 54 and consider myself to be very young at heart and Im out and about dancing usually ( massive fan of soul music ) I have children and grandchildren . There was no way I was going to take any chances of limiting my life span if I had any say in it . 

The NHS offers you the surgery/treatments that have been deemed effective from research & trials . Some of which they may still say does not have guarantees attached .. but its all performed safely by highly skilled and professional people . 

I have never heard from people that I know or ladies on this site that they have been offered juicing . It may be there has never been enough research ...that alone would be enough for me to rule out any contemplation .

It is your choice and your choice alone but if it was me Id want to preserve the life I have with what has been proved to be the most effective ... which is what youve been offered . !! 

From reading your post I get the feeling that youre very spooked and frightened of the unknown . It is easy to want to avoid fear and I completely understand that ... but this my darling is a very serious situation . Im 6 weeks in from having my single mastectomy and recon . The care I received from the hospital and all staff was exceptional . I went to sleep in anaesthetic room and when I was woken up it really did feel as though only five minutes of my time had passed . 

I went to a look good feel good session last Thursday , its a national  charity thing ( Maggies ) it puts things on for cancer patients . I went to a make up session and got a fab goody bag . The relevance of me mentioning it is there was several ladies young like you there , theyd also had mastectomies and were going through chemo ...theyd met at their treatment and they were so vibrant and positive and just looking forward to moving on . 

If you choose not to go ahead on Monday you ( and only my opinion ) will be left with the uncertainty of whether the juices will work , how long it will take before you see any difference and if you see any difference .And also whether not having the surgery was the right thing . That is an awful amount of stress to put yourself under .... far more than I could cope with or would want to . 

Not sure if there is nurses available on this site over weekend but I would try if I were you and / or phone hospital because you can be specific when speaking about what your actual fear is .. and obviously the nurses have the expertise to advise you . 

You must follow your own instinct and make the right decision for you , perhaps you could go to the hospital on Monday ( or you may be going in on Sunday ready for Monday ) in anticipation of having the op but only make your final decision when youre there and have relayed /spoken to your Consultant again . NO ONE can force you into having the surgery ..and Im sure that you wouldnt be the first person to withdraw on the day of surgery either . And no they couldnt refuse treatment at a later day . Good luck ...I truly hope you make a decsion that youre happy with . Big hugs Steph xxx

[Treeze]

Having someone with you to keep you calm helps enormously.I was so lucky to have my wonderful daughter with me right up until the last minute.We were even laughing particularly trying to get the surgical stockings up my legs! You must do what you feel is best but for me I just wanted to get it out of me as soon as I could, the future is uncertain enough as it is.

[ann-m]

Just to add, Liz,

With a DCIS diagnosis, surgery offers the best chance of a complete recovery.

We've all had wobbles, I had lumpectomy to remove my bc, so less invasive that your surgery, but even so, I remember having some thoughts you describe, but fortunately, it was very short lived!

ann x

[Silverlady]

Hi Liz,
I've just had a single mastectomy with SNB and was terrified of having the operation, I was worried I would die.

I went into surgery and the last thing I remember was a Nurse pushing my hair behind my ears (she had cold fingers), then she took my hand and bent down to me and said, 'I am going to look after you Susan, I'm going to be right here next to you all the time' and then I woke up and it was done. I never saw that nurse again, but if I did I would hug her - she helped me so much.

Recovering from the operation has been quite quick and I went back to work this Monday, driving my car, still a little bit tender, but o.k. I didn't even wear my false boob.

I didn't have a choice on a surgery, mine was grade 3 aggressive - but even with your diagnosis I would still have the surgery, I need to know that I did everything possible to cure myself.

Sending you big hugs.

Susan.

[ann-m]

hi liz,
Yes, it is scary but, conventional treatment is the best we've got in getting through this & outcomes are excellent these days & surgery is the best frontline treatment.
There is no evidence to support the use of extra vitamins in treating bc, even when it as at an early stage like yours, although of course, its good to be as healthy as possible when going through conventional treatment.
Please be aware that there is a lot of dangerous cancer 'woo' on tbe internet, especially involving money.
Your team will look after you, so please talk through everything with them &/or take advice from the helpline here.
When it comes down to it, modern medicine & conventional treatment is the best we've got to resolve this.
Do take care
ann x

[Patriciamay]

Hi Lz. I thought I would add if your reticence is fear for the operation I had some further thoughts.  On the day of both my ops (I ended up having two ) i had 2/3 really detailed conversations, with my surgeon, anaesthetist and radiologist, going down to the theatre the theatre nurse was frankly one of the best clinical professionals I have ever met, and I know a lot.  

[Patriciamay]

Hello Liz. I can absolutely understand your fear with regard to the operation, I too was terrified and I amazed myself that I got through it.  In fact the only thing that got me through was doing the best I could for my family.

 I can't give you advice, but  I would ask myself if the NHS is offering juicing as a recognised effective treatment package for your condition.  Please don't be frightened of your consultant, they are there to care for you and understand how frightened you are,  they do not make judgements.  On the day of my operation my surgeon came to see me and we had a really re-assuring chat before I continued.  I found that very helpful.

I wish you all the best.

[Strudel]

Hi Liz,

Obviously no one here is likely to advise you what to do or tell you whether you're being stupid because we're not you. I have/had (who knows!) invasive cancer which was removed last month. When they examined the excised tissue I also had DCIS as did another lady here who had an operation after me. I don't think anyone can say whether your DCIS would stay like that for the rest of your natural life and never cause a problem or whether it will invade at which point you're in such a different position.

I can only speak for myself. I'm in my 40s with no kids and if I had DCIS I'd be legging it into the operating theatre. If I were in my 30s (with or without kids) the only difference is I'd be running a lot faster. I was terrified of the operation but I hope it's saved my life. You are extremely lucky to have been diagnosed so early. I honestly think you need to speak to a medical professional to really understand what not having the surgery could mean for you.

I really wish you luck with your decision.

[Liz.stanley]

Hello.
I was diagnosed with DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) just before Christmas. I'm due to have a single mastectomy with reconstruction on Monday and possible sentinal node clearance, then chemotherapy 4 weeks later.
Over the last 24 hours the thought of this surgery fills me with fear and I'm considering not turning up on Monday and trying juicing carrot/apple and apricot kernels.
I'm in my 30's with 3 children and not sure whether I'm being stupid. Has anyone tried this? Any evidence ? I'd appreciate any advice as my time is running out. I'm also worried that my consultant will be angry and refuse treatment later on.