Breast Cancer Now Forum

I have been given a choice as to whether to have radiotherapy or not by the Oncologist. The MDT decision was that I didn't need it but I wanted to be able to discuss the pros and cons face to face with someone rather than being told that nameless, faceless professionals who had never met me had made the decision for me. My diagnosis from  histology is intermediate DCIS. Does anyone else have any experience of this situation?  The Oncologist was excellent. Listened well to my questions and answered them well. My husband does not want me to have radiotherapy. I am just not sure that I will feel safe having not had it. ... View more

Thank you for your swift response and hug. I have found the forum so supportive to date. Your words of wisdom are truly appreciated. Thank you again. ... View more

Thank you Sue. No there is no drain. I contacted my Breast Care Nurse beforehand and she said drains are not used now. I had my surgery in Dorset. Might be worth speaking with your BCN to check out routine procedures in your area. Seriously nothing to worry about with procedures. Keep up the analgesia afterwards and you'll be just fine. Love Diddy xxxx ... View more

Hi Debbie Do hope you have a lovely holiday. Where is it you are going and how long for?   I had my surgery yesterday. Feeling good. Am keeping up paracetamol and ibuprofen regime so not much pain or discomfort. Probably the worst part of the whole thing was being last on the list and not going into theatre until 16:00 having been there since 08:30. Home at 19:00, straight to bed and slept most of the night.   My husband is doing a great job of looking after me. I feel very blessed and loved. Have had such wonderful support from people on this website and friends here at home.   Enjoy your holiday. Love Diddy xxxx     ... View more

Thank you, thank you. You have so hit the nail on the head in every way. I have had this sense of otherness since the recall letter arrived and I looked at it and gulped before I even opened it. I have found the forum excellent and feel so grateful to be able to communicate with others who know. Up until my blip yesterday I have been telling myself how lucky I am to have had it found so early. I am becoming evangelical now about mammograms and how important and amazing they are. I will never ever moan about having one again.   As you say 'one step at a time'. I have 2 beautiful granddaughters I can fill my time with, a really caring husband who is doing his best and lots of lovely events coming up this summer to look forward to. One step at a time. Xxxx ... View more

Thank you. I am crying writing this but your post is so reassuring and helps a lot. I think it is just the thought of even more waiting for results afterwards. Thank you so much. I love your name "Optimissy". I have been keeping myself optimistic but a little bit of fear broke through yesterday. Diddy xxxx ... View more

Thank you for your lovely response Debbie Have you had your holiday yet? Do hope you enjoy it when you get away. Diddy xxxx ... View more

Hi everyone Feeling in need of some support. I went to meet my surgeon yesterday. Was feeling very upbeat, expecting to just be given a date and have an outline plan 're radiotherapy. Feeling as though this is the beginning of the end. It seems to me now that each appointment carries slightly more complications than expected. Today the doctor said that although my initial diagnosis is DCIS my lesion is not typical in that it is lump forming rather than the usual linear shape. I will be having a lumpectomy WLE and removal of sentinel lymph node. The words lymph node freaked me out.  Was also told that I will then have to wait for another 2 weeks to get a definitive result, so more waiting and uncertainty. I did have a bit of a meltdown this evening. I just feel wrung out. Sorry to sound whingeing and whiney but thought I would see light at the end of the tunnel today and now I don't. Diddy ... View more

Thank you Jo. Very reassuring.Xxxx Diddy ... View more

Hi Jo. That is all so useful to know. Thank you for replying so quickly. You sound very matter of fact in your reply if you don't mind me saying so. That gives me encouragement that this is simply a process that I need to get through. I know I am so lucky to have had the lesion found so early and do keep telling myself that but occasionally little worms of doubt wiggle in to my brain. Thank you again. Diddy xxxx ... View more

Hi Jo. That is all so useful to know. Thank you for replying so quickly. You sound very matter of fact in your reply if you don't mind me saying so. That gives me encouragement that this is simply a process that I need to get through. I know I am so lucky to have had the lesion found so early and do keep telling myself that but occasionally little worms of doubt wiggle in to my brain. Thank you again. Diddy xxxx ... View more

Hi.I received my diagnosis of DCIS 2 weeks ago today. I was told only a 4 mm lesion that would require a lumpectomy followed by 3 weeks of radiotherapy. Would seem to be non invasive. I have been very upbeat but my appointment with my surgeon is coming up on Monday and a bit of trepidation is creeping in. The hospital letter I have says expect to be in the department for 3 hours. This is just a pre-op  appt. Worries are circling in my head about what is likely to happen in that 3 hours. What are other people's experience of this first appointment? I have been told I will have surgery within 2 weeks of that appt. How long did others wait between surgery and Radiotherapy commencing. I just so desperately want to get on now. I have no criticism of the hospital at all but it feels very much like a hurry up and wait  process. ... View more

Thanks to everyone for your replies to my queries about radiotherapy. I guess it will be a case of suck it and see.   I have been able to share my news with family members now which is quite a relief. I had been so worried about how each person would take it but have tried very hard to be up beat myself which everyone has reflected in their reaction which is great.    My first meeting with my surgeon is 2 weeks tomorrow. Not long at all in the scheme of things.   Thank you for your support. I do get a great deal out of this website. I hope to be able to help others in the future when I am out at the other end. Diddy ... View more

Thanks so much for all your replies. Your words of wisdom are very much appreciated. Diddy xxxx ... View more

Hi everyone I have moved in to this chat room now having received biopsy result on Thursday. I actually feel a bit of a fraud in that I have a tiny 4 mm lesion which is DCIS. The screening team are being self congratulatory having picked up such a small lesion and of course I am very pleased and eternally grateful they are so good at their job The plan is for me to meet my surgeon on June 19th and then I will have surgery within a fortnight of that meeting with 3 weeks of radiotherapy post op. I can't believe how much calmer I feel having had results. I found the fear of the unknown quite crippling beforehand. I still do have this slightly surreal feeling though and each morning on waking the remembering is strange. The support I found in "Probably but waiting for results" was phenomenal. Thank you so much to Helena for words of wisdom and support. I would love to hear of people's experience of radiotherapy. I know that is a way off for me yet and because my lesion is quite tiny the radiation dose is likely to be small but I wonder how it has made people feel and whether it is possible to carry on working through the course etc. Thank you everyone. Diddy xxxx ... View more

Hi Helena   Thanks for your reply.   I guess I move into another chat room now. I have found this section so supportive and have made a new friend in Mgt66. She and I are continuing to communicate by email having contacted by private email via this site.   The next part of my journey is talking with friends and family. I have spoken with my older son and his wife and will speak with my younger son and his wife tomorrow when I can see them face to face.   My husband and I have discussed who we should inform and why. The fact is that I want to be very open with people in order that I can "bang the drum" so to speak about the importance of screening and the value of mammograms.   For everyone who is awaiting results I wish you good luck. Be kind to yourself and allow your feelings as they come to you. I feel so much better having had results and having a view of the way forward. Xxxx ... View more

Hi M I am so relieved for you. Thank goodness that dreadful wait is over for you.   I have had some 'good' news today in getting my results. My lesion is non invasive i.e. DCIS which requires surgery in approximately 4 weeks time followed by about 3 weeks of radiotherapy. The Specialist Nurse I saw was very upbeat and reassuring and said that having caught it so early the outcome is likely to be very positive. I will then have yearly mammograms for 5 years and that will be it. I feel so much better for having had the results.  I have an appointment to see the Surgeon on 19.06.17. The hospital I have been dealing with is marvellous. The speed and professionalism of the staff is amazing. Thank God for breast screening and our wonderful NHS. To anyone else awaiting results good luck and very best wishes. Diddy xxxx   ... View more

Dear M Thank you for your lovely thoughts. I was hoping to hear from you that you are going to get your results tomorrow as well. Have taken my Granddaughter to The Bath and West Show today which has been so lovely and took my mind away from thinking dark thoughts in trying to entertain her. This evening however is not so good. Haven't slept at all well the last few nights. But this time tomorrow I should have an idea of what needs to be dealt with so I'm hoping to feel better by then, given that it's the fear of the unknown that is the hardest to deal with. Take care M. I will post tomorrow. Diddy xxxx ... View more