Hi all, I thought I’d post on here for some much needed advice. I went to breast clinic due to pain in right breast. They did a mammagram and ultrasound.They saw a darker area where my baby son kicked me and was experiencing pain. They did a biospy and found low grade atypical ducal hyperhasia,they then decided to do another biospy which come back high grade atypical bordering on DCIS but no cancer cells found. They have now decided to send biospy off to a specialist in London to confirm diagnosis atypical area or DCIS. As its a big area a mastectomy has been spoken about with immediate reconstruction. I’m only 36 with 3 boys. My life has turned upside down. Trying to stay positive and thank god it’s been found. But I’m frighten. How will I cope with a 1 year old and having a mastectomy. With a mastectomy what’s the chance of it coming back. Will I need radiotherapy, how will this effect me. Please I need advice on people that have experience all this.
Dear Hay123
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Hello Hay123,
First of all I think it is good that the Breast Clinic are not leaving anything to chance and sending a biopsy off to be checked. Of course you are scared , the waiting seems endless and we all have so many questions, but keep positive for your 3 boys. How old are your other two ? as you mentioned that your baby son was one and how would you cope if you had to have a mx. I am sure that you would have good friends and family around to help you cope. You would also be given much needed support from your breast care nurse . I had a mx , full axillary node clearance and chemo but I chose not to have radiotherapy as I was a borderline case so you may not need it either.
I think in the meantime as you wait, the answer is to keep busy and try not to let your thoughts wander, get out in the fresh air with your baby son and enjoy collecting your other sons from nursery or school, small everyday jobs that we usually take for granted, but they suddenly seem oh so special. Sending you lots of love and positive vibes . Tracy xxx
Hi Tracy
Thanks for you kind message. My other 2 boys are 11 and 13. So old enough to know what’s going on. Yes the hospital have been great, just it’s the waiting is horrible. I know I should feel positive as no cancer cells have yet to be found on biospy just per cancerous. But it sort of feel the same. As my only option is a mastectomy. How long did it take you to recover, will I be able to hold my baby still??? How was your reconstruction.? Did you have to wait long for your operation. I’m not sure if it will be done before Xmas. They have said I wouldn’t need chemo as its contained in my duct. Glad to hear you are doing well. Emma x
Hi Emma,
My recovery time from the mx was very good . I was in hospital longer then the other ladies for 3 nights as I had spinal surgery as a girl and the mx caused me to have terrible backache. When I went back in for the Node Clearance I asked for a padded spinal board which was much better. On both occasions I came home with drains in and the district nurse came every other day to change the bottle as I seemed to drain a lot of fluid. I did very little housework for the first few weeks and my Mum came to do me the ironing and my hubby did the hoovering and other heavy jobs. I gradually tickled around with a duster but I learned to take my time.
I think you will still be able to hold your baby on the other side after the first few days, depending on how heavy he is. At least your other boys are old enough to help you and pass baby to you and put him in his chair. I hope you have friends and family around you as well .
I had immediate reconstruction with a tissue expander in place, then I returned for a second op to have the permanent prothesis put in place. The results are fairly good . Anyway if I was you I would wait and see what results you get before you start thinking of any more questions as I dont want you to scare yourself anymore.Try not to check the internet for stuff as it is outdated and often has bad advice. I am sending you big hugs for the week ahead Tracy xxx
Hi there,
I am just posting as I am in a similar position. I have dcis with an area “suspicious for invasion”
I got this much via my gp and don’t see the specialist until Thursday, so don’t yet know if the plan will be lumpectomy vs mastectomy, with or without radiotherapy. I am trying to stay positive, in that I am sure my outlook is excellent in terms of prognosis, but the not knowing is the worst.
I’m sure we’ll both feel better with a plan in place!
In terms of breast reconstruction, I actually DO know something about that, as I was a physio on a plastic surgery unit! Yes you will need support and help at home, especially with the baby, to start with. The amount of restriction and recovery time vary with the individual, and the type of surgery, but they tend to be improving the techniques all the time, so recovery times are getting shorter!! Yey us!!
Try not to panic, I know it isn’t easy when it occupies your every waking thought! I took a “Sleep-eze” last night which at least gave me a few hours solid snooze. I am trying to keep calm for everybody (mum’s job eh?!!), and go about my day to day as normally as possible while I wait.
Good luck to us both!!
Thanks Tracy for answering my questions. Also thanks morwenna for your reply too. Fingers crossed for both of us that all this is better very soon. Xx
Hi Hay123
So sorry to hear you are going through this trauma. It is awful and especially as you have a baby to look after. I had a bilateral mx with temp implants and I was driving within 3 weeks. I had drains in both sides so I stayed in hospital for 5 days as I didn’t want to deal with them at home! I unfortunately ended up with an infection in my left implant and had to have it removed and came home with one drain in after that. It wasn’t too bad but may be a bit inconvenient with the baby!
Just wanted to also add that the consultant told me that I didn’t have cancer ‘just’ DCIS and played it down massively. Upon getting the results back the cells were C5 malignant. I didn’t know what to think to be honest so I’m really glad that the breast clinic are being precautious and hopefully you won’t have to have any further treatment.
Will be keeping everything crossed for you. Do you know when you will get your results back?
Hang in there, this is the worst bit.
Lots of love
Viv xxx
Hello Emma, hay123. My situation is quite different to yours but I didnt want to read and run, the time will go quickly and you will surprise yourself what you are able to do, once you know what you are facing.
The forums are so helpful, i had a few teary days last week, I am into chemo following my lumpectomy, and just to read some nice messages from virtual friends just makes it a little bit easier.
good luck and you will get there. anne xxx