Hi Everyone,
This is my first visit here. I’ve recently had a WLE which came back with T1 G2 NO ER+ve HER2-ve. However there was also both some low and some high grade DCIS which has been described to me as ‘pre-cancer’. I’ve been told this type of ‘pre-cancer’ cannot always be detected by mamogram/ultrasound/mri and the suspicion is that there may be further DCIS as yet undetected. There is a strong history in my family (Mum, Mum’s Sister & Maternal Grandmother all had breast cancer). The surgeon is now suggesting that I should consider bi lateral mastectomy with reconstruction based on family history and that some DCIS has already been detected and it seems that it has been caught before it’s spread elsewhere.
WOW, still reeling a little from this as I seem to have progressed from needing a lumpectomy for a small cancer to bilateral mastectomy within a couple of weeks!!!
I’ve been given the option of reconstructions, either using my own tissue or implants and strattice. My query here is whether anyone has already had some reconstruction and whether you are happy with the results (I’ve seen some really upsetting pictures!). Think I’ve been given all the information but am being left to decide which type of reconstruction to go for but how can I choose when I have no medical background or experience on which to base a decision? The surgeon seems reluctant to make a ‘recommendation’ and I guess that’s as a result of the blame society we now live in. If there is to be little or no ‘feeling/sensation’ in the reconstructed area why go through what I understand may involve several procedures to get a result? Is it worth going through the reconstruction bit?
I did suffer a bit of an emotional meltdown yesterday as I don’t know where to look for advice. Can anyone make any suggestions which might enable me to make a more informed decision?
If you got this far, thanks very much for your time.
Eazyglider.