Dcis diagnosed yesterday high grade

[Helenbythesea]

I struggle with the night sweats - sometimes 2/3 times a night! Thank you.
helenbythesea

[wilsbury]

Hi,
It's the boots menopause support plus tablets, my mum has used them for ages for her menopausal symptoms & thought they might help. I checked with the pharmacist that the herbal tablets were ok to take with tamoxifen & she said they're fine. I suppose it might be coincidence or the placebo effect (!) but I've definitely slept better & had fewer hot flushes since taking them.
Hope this helps, I never realised how unpleasant hot flushes can be!
Hugs xxx

[Helenbythesea]

Oh what is the name of the multi vitamin? It is hot night sweats that bother me! Helen

[wilsbury]

Hi robs1612, how are u getting on? Do you know about your radiotherapy yet? Hope you are still recovering well from surgery!
I had my last appt yesterday, wound is now ok, yay! Will now have Yearly mammograms, & adjusting to the tamoxifen; I've been recommended a menopause multivitamin/ herbal tablet that seems to be helping with the hot flushes & sleepless nights!
Thinking of you,
Jo xx

[Robs1612]

Hi Wilsbury, well it is 5 days post surgery, and I have been lucky so far, minimal swelling, some bruising and a bit sore, but only needing paracetamol now, I'm signed off work till my outpatients appointment, when hopefully if it's all out they will start the radiotherapy process, not looking forward to that at all!! How are you doing now? x

[Helenbythesea]

Just take it easy on yourself and no you don't have to b brave. I cried tears for 5 weeks, they stopped when i signed the form and i am sure were shock. All emotions real, and if acknowledged then you can move on. Being brave sometimes just buries them.

[wilsbury]

Hi Robs1612, thinking of you, hope all goes well today.
I was in a similar position to you, had wle on the 30/6 following routine mammogram, needle biopsy & wire-guided biopsy to diagnose dcis. On my follow-up appointment was told I had a large haemotoma- I was expecting swelling & bruising so didn't realise there was anything wrong. I was booked in for weekly draining but the wound started breaking down & bleeding quite heavily, ended up with further surgery on Monday to remove haemotoma. Only saying this really as a cautionary tale- if you have ANY concerns at all, however minor you think they may be, get it checked! I didn't want to make a fuss, but wish I had now as I'm back to being off work, no driving etc!!

Hugs xxxxx

[Robs1612]

I was diagnosed with high grade DCIS just over 2 weeks ago, had surgical appointment last Friday and surgery tomorrow, surgeon has recommended wide local excision followed with 3 weeks of radiotherapy, that's if the pathology shows he has cleared it all. All this after a standard breast screening, I had no idea anything was there. Think I'm still in shock really, not sure how I'm supposed to feel, so many family members, friends and colleagues are being so supportive, but I still feel alone. So much pressure to be "Brave" I really don't feel brave at all. Even though I work in health care I still feel so vulnerable and scared sh@#less! The thought of waiting another 2 weeks after surgery to know the path results feels unbearable. Why does it take so long. I wish all you lovely ladies well. X

[Helenbythesea]

The biopsies clarify the findings. I had two large too. First unclear, second was grade 2 but fast growing
due to area of dcis, size of me and its location, and my age they encouraged radical mastectomy to include some lymph glands. Followed by immediate strattice and implant. Less serious op, but still big and armcan be affected afterwards. Helen

[Helenbythesea]

Strattice and implant fine. Just be glad they can get all the dcis out. My wound is vertically down under my arm pit - so been. Able to keep skin and nipple. Although not connected so weird Helens

[Helenbythesea]

I too went into numb shock. Only came outof that when i signed consent form, just dribbled tears
don't be worried about the feelings - all normal. Speak to the bc nurses - experts. Use this site too.
also use friends..but they can't decide for you. We sre all unique. I had 2 vaccuum biopsies too as first not clear enough

one nurse said dcis patients find it hard. We are on the edge of it all..given huge ops yet the condition is relatively minor...

[Helenbythesea]

That is exactly what i have had. Op last October. I had meeting with my consultant - he wanted implant as i am quite small and dcis quite large. Then had appointment with reconstruction nurse about all choices. All horrible! I wanted back. But, had next appointment with recon surgeon and they would need implant and back. Could not decide... Spoke to bc nurse - she said all feel different to real one. So as it was left boob and i am left handed i decided on implant - one wound one in one out, lymph glands taken. But would retain full use of left handed ness, full strength of back and tummy. So pleased now..looks good. Looks similar to right and getting strength back got weights from Argos. Only numbness on boob - not backl or tummy. Husband plrasedas not cut up!

[JillH]

Was diagnosed withDCIS and advised to have mastectomy with immediate implant and Strattice tissue. So from having nothing wrong at beginning of June to recall after routine breast screening to 2 x biopsies, have appointment at Breast clinic tomorrow to probably get a date for surgery - so much happened in too short a time. So so much of a shock to be told you have something wrong and not feel poorly and then realise you need to have surgery and a mastectomy at that!!!

So scared but somehow now getting resigned to the surgery bit but am really worried about the emotional after effects..

[Yvie178]

Hi Helen, feeling a bit better today mentally at least! Yes, I would say my experience mirrors yours very closely - 1st mamogram, recall, 2 biopsy, mx. Nothing at all wrong prior to that and now this sore tight pressure pain constantly. And my Frankenstein nipple less boob. I guess it is still early days so maybe it will start to improve both in pain levels and hopefully look less grim. 4 weeks tomorrow.

[Helenbythesea]

I crashed and burned 12 weeks after my op - I thinks it all happens so quickly and if are like me and did not know it was even there it feels like a 10 tonne truck hitting you... And then moving off leaving... WHAT!

I have had the same op as you, but my scar is in a different place cos of where my cancer was in my boob.  Sore, tight,, pressure pain and tenderness are probably all normal post op.  Remember it is a big op we have had and they did a lot inside which takes a longer time to heal than the outside.   Do get it checked by BCN nurse if concerned.  I ended up taking my temperature for 3 weeks at home twice a day to check I had no temperature which was a sign of infection.  I kept on with the pain killers and at my 8 week check was asked to continue with the ibuprofen (6 a day still) due to pressure which was swelling.  BUT DO GET IT CHECKED as the pressure maybe fluid that can be drained off

[Yvie178]

Hello again Helenbythesea, as you know I went for the strattice and implant as the back flap would have also been implant could not see the point of all the extra scars etc. however my scar is right across my boob and my nipple was removed. I have a scar in my armpit from the snb which is sore and tight. The only feeling I have is pressure, burning pain, and tenderness on the upper part of the implant. I thought I was doing ok til today when I crashed and burned!

[Helenbythesea]

Dear Yvie178, i was decribed as skinny too - wait to hear from your reconstruction nurse as to what is best for you.  In the end i have had an implant.  I had not got enough tummy- or dedicatino to  do  the tummy flap; I fancied the back one - but that muscle would have needed an implant to make it the right size anyway.  so in the end i went with one wound, one entrance in, one entrance out and one implant - oh with a mesh to support it.  Because i went down that line, my wound is under my arm and not across my boob so in time you won't see it at all which is great.  However, just because they could spare my skin does not mean there is any feeling there.

Talk through your dx with your recon nurse so you are ware of any implications.

[hijaqs]

I am feeling for you. We hear about this happening to others and never expect this to happen to us. I'm holding on to the fact that whilst this is new to us, it's all now pretty much routine stuff for the medics, so I feel that we are in safe hands. Xx

[Yvie178]

Thank you hijaqs, the other biopsy confirmed more dcis now have area of 6cm and small breast so will need mastectomy. Seeing surgeon Friday. Scared myself by looking at pictures but got to be done. Thank you xxxxx

[hijaqs]

Hi

Sorry to hear of your dilemna.  Obviously you need to speak to your specialists about what is best for you but once you have an idea of the options there's an abundance of real life info from ladies on this site, that you should find so helpful.  Take care. Xx

[June_BCC]

Hello Yvie178

Whilst waiting for replies to your post maybe you would like to give our free helpline a call where the staff can offer practical information as well as emotional support.  The free phone number is 0808 800 6000 and the lines are open again in the morning and normal hours are Monday to Friday 9.00 to 5.00 and Saturday 10.00 to 2.00.

Best wishes

June, moderator

[Yvie178]

Told need another biopsy Monday a vacuum one for another area they found which depending on results will dictate lumpectomy or mastectomy. Saw surgeon briefly yesterday as she needed to see what skin I had for possible reconstruction - apparently not a great deal. First time in my life ever considered skinny! Am alternating between relief and absolute fear. So my question is mastectomy if have to have it - what is best type of reconstruction surgery and how long is recovery?