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kathrynb
Member
since
08-03-2018
54
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14
Hugs
05-03-2020
09:54
1 Hug
Hi there I just wanted to send you a virtual hug. You are understandably scared but the breast care teams are amazingly supportive. I am not sure what your diagnosis is and what your options will be but I just wanted to tell you how frightened I was when first diagnosed. I felt lost and had anxiety like I have never known BUT fast forward to today and everything is mostly all behind me. The initial shock is awful but you will get through this. If I can help anymore please let me know. Xx
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18-01-2020
10:53
Hi there as regards pain the first couple of days were quite hard. It is a major op and the other thing is they have to check the new boob regularly so little sleep for a few days. I had a button so I could administer morphine to myself but I only used this a little for the first 2 days. After that managed very well with paracetamol. You also have to wear a binder for a fair few weeks and avoid driving for about 6 weeks due to the abdominal surgery. However unlike an implant once it is done it is for life and whilst it is hard you also get the tummy tuck aspect (albeit with a long scar below the knickerline). Once I got out of hospital I was desperate for normality after a few awful months of anxiety and sadness because i found it all very difficult emotionally and what I will tell you as a benchmark to pain is that 5 days after leaving hospital I had a holiday by the sea in the uk with my family and coped very well. Was able to do gentle walking and thoroughly enjoy myself. As I said before I don't regret a thing. Good luck xx
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17-01-2020
10:27
Hi there I was diagnosed with DCIS in 2018 and had left mastectomy and immediate diep flap reconstruction. Two years on finally on list for slight revision surgery to breast and tummy scar area. After that a reconstructed nipple. It was a long surgery with 7 night hospital stay followed by 2 months off of work. 100% made the right decision though. My results so far are very good and after revisions should be pretty fab visually. I have little sensation in new boob but overall I don't regret a thing. A long road but as you have got through chemo (which I am grateful to have avoided) you have obviously already coped with a lot. If you would like me to go into more detail I would be happy to. In the meantime I wish you well in making your decision x
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03-08-2018
11:04
Hi there I had diep surgery on may 1st. Left side only. The week after the Op was hard physically but I was told by others that had been through the same thing how quickly I would progress after that.. three months on I am back at work and am driving again. I have felt so much better than I envisaged and even managed to go to Russia for the world cup. I am wearing my normal clothes although my tummy remains a little swollen. I am not sure how old your children are but you will have to take it easy, especially for the first six weeks in terms of heavy lifting and housework. If you would like more detail in terms of the Op and the physical and mental effects please feel free to pm me. It is a horrible thing to have to contemplate but I would say the results are fab and it really is worth it. Take care and good luck with your decision. Kathryn x
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05-05-2018
09:22
1 Hug
Hi Daisiemoo just wanted to say hello I am so sorry for some reason I have only just noticed your previous message. I do hope you are doing well and more importantly that you got good results on 24 April? I had my surgery 1 may. Been a rough few days but slowly feeling a little more human. Can't wait to get out of hospital and pray I can move on from this after my own results. Hope you are enjoying the sunshine xxx
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16-04-2018
10:24
Hi everyone - I wanted to ask for your thoughts on the accuracy of diagnosis although of course I am well aware everybody's case will be different. I have been diagnosed with DCIS intermediate grade and am having single mastectomy with immediate DIEP reconstruction on 1st may which I am extremely nervous about. I have received a huge amount of support and realise I have no choice but to get on with it. I am having this treatment because the DCIS is in three different areas and my consultant said I would only get a good cosmetic result that way and he knew that was very important to me. He also said (and my husband heard the same thing) that if I went down this route it was highly unlikely I would need any other treatment at all i.e. no radiotherapy and no medication. To reach my diagnosis I had three mammograms two ultrasounds a core biopsy an MRI scan and a separate MRI guided biopsy. My question is that generally speaking how likely is the diagnosis to be accurate? Obviously I know that until they do the final pathology after the MX and reconstruction I will not know for certain. I am just wondering if anyone knows the probability of them getting the original diagnosis wrong? Thanks in advance for your thoughts and sorry to keep worrying. Kathryn xx
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16-04-2018
10:08
1 Hug
Hi Daisymoo just wondering how you are doing? I am awaiting my Op on 1st may. Feeling quite anxious about it all to say the least! How are you and what stage have you reached with treatment. Kathryn x
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13-04-2018
05:16
Hi CC yes my date is 1st may. Will pm you. Hi Daisymoo well done on getting through Thor mastectomy. I am awaiting my surgery on 1st may diep immediate reconstruction. Conorchloe and Ezzie have both already been through it and have both have positive experiences of the surgery and recovery so that is good to know. I wish you all the luck in the world for your results. Let us know how get on please. Kathryn xx
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08-04-2018
09:01
1 Hug
Hi Daisiemoo just wanted to say hello and I am airy m sorry for your diagnosis. I have intermediate DCIS in my left breast and am awaiting MX with immediate DIEP flap reconstructio 1st may latest. I have been going through every emotion possible. I think the surgery will be ok but the emotional side is another thing. I have had a lot of support through this website plus a lot of kindness and inspiration from others. Still a long way to go but should all be ok I think. Would like to wish you all the best with your own treatment and hope we can support each other. Sending a big hug x
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06-04-2018
11:18
1 Hug
Hello ladies have been reading this thread although of course it was written by you all a while ago. I am awaiting a mastectomy and diep flap reconstruction at the moment for DCIS. Hopefully only treatment but of course I don't know. Despite having a happy family life I am by nature a person who suffers with low self esteem from time to time. I am already feeling many elements of the feelings you describe. My husband is irritated with me because he strongly feels I should be making the most of socialising prior to my Op but all I want to do is stay at home with my cats. Work is an effort and I can't deal with people's kindness anymore than I could deal with them being dismissive to what I am facing. I have to believe I will get back to something like normal. You all have my total understanding of what you are feeling or have felt before during and after treatment. I was wondering, especially as this post is older, how all you ladies are coping now. I sincerely hope life is a little better. Much love x
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06-04-2018
09:12
Sorry Ezzie another question - you say some clothes may not fit - is that because of swelling in tummy area? Keep reading your message over - really quite inspirational in terms of all you have managed to do. Xx
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06-04-2018
09:08
So sorry predictive text meant to say Ezzie- should have read back! X
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06-04-2018
09:07
Hi Eddie thank you so much for this. I read it just before bed and it really reassured me and helped me sleep. It is so good to hear of your positive experience in a bad situation. My Op is scheduled for 1st may latest and funnily enough (bearing in mind your comments about your mum's 90th) it is my dad's 80th and also my parents diamond wedding celebrations on 12th may. I had hoped my Op would be sooner as I am worried about being well enough. We have hired a house by the sea in Norfolk for all the family. Fortunately all the catering is in hand but I absolutely HAVE to be there with a smile on my face so knowing how well you did really heartens me. Equally your comments about getting back to normality with work etc. I am scheduled for 2 months off but I wouldn't want it to be longer. Good idea to fill the freezer as a distraction. My husband and I are quite traditional over roles at home. He is more than capable and very supportive but he is also self employed so I am conscious of him having too much on his plate. Have two grown up daughters. Neither live at home. My eldest is in Dubai but will be back anyway for the family celebration on the coast and my younger daughter lives locally. I know they will do anything for me but I don't want to put on them too much. Would love to think I will be well enough mentally to just enjoy their coming. Very best wishes to you for your continued progress. You sound like a lovely positive person xxx
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05-04-2018
04:12
Hi nicolad817 thank you for message. Kind of you to take the trouble. Delighted to hear that despite difficulties you have no regrets. I am sure it is very difficult and frustrating to take time with recovery when all you want is normality. Regarding the brain fog can I ask if you have needed any further treatment which is contributing to fatigue? Also how soon after surgery were you able to wear normal clothes - in particular jeans after the diep? Also was wondering how you are emotionally? Probably sound like such trivial questions. I am anxiously awaiting my surgery date. Have been told def by 1st may. I desperately long for normality. My husband thinks I should be making the most of my time before the Op but at the moment this wretched thing has totally taken over my mind! Best wishes and thanks again Kathryn
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01-04-2018
12:57
Hi Aqua thank you for your kind reply. Glad to know your reconstructed breast is lovely. What happened with the nipple? I assume it was an artificial one which feel off? . Did you ever have it reconstructed again afterwards?Would you be able to say that the whole experience is behind you now and you are happy? I certainly hope so xx
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30-03-2018
02:38
1 Hug
Hi ladies. I have been a member a few weeks and started thread called 'desperate newly diagnosed with DCIS '. I received many helpful and kind replies including a couple of ladies who replied personally to which I am eternally grateful. At the moment i am awaiting date for mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction. Mortified about hospital stay and all surgery but from replies I have received know that I CAN AND WILL get through it. What I would be really really grateful for is for stories not necessarily about the immediate experience but hopefully happily beyond that. Is there anyone out there with similar treatment who is now feeling happy and positive and really enjoying life again? Happy with the way they look, back at work, socialising, good personal relationship etc etc. It would help me (and perhaps others) so much to hear positivity beyond what we are presently going through. Thank you in advance. Xxx
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30-03-2018
11:21
Conorchloe I watched the full Monty girls. Thought I might find it upsetting but it was very uplifting I agree xx
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30-03-2018
11:19
11:11 AM Hi ladies I just wanted to thank you for your replies to my comment on this thread. I am now awaiting date for mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction as unfortunately due to there being three separate areas my surgeon said this would get me a good cosmetic result. He picked up on the fact of how important this is to me. I am extremely nervous. Can't quite get my head around staying in hospital for best part of a week and having to rely on others to help me with personal stuff such as washing. I think Conorchloe referred to feeling laid bare and I think that is how I will feel. I am a private person regarding my body and definitely a put my make up on to answer the door kind of person so think I will feel very vulnerable. I keep trying to see beyond it and telling myself that life can and will be normal afterwards. Hoping I am stronger than I think! One thing I have discovered is how kind people are. I have always suffered from low self esteem so it has been wonderful to feel such love from my husband daughters family and friends. Also the support of the ladies on this forum (some of whom have contacted me personally). I keep re- reading your words of encouragement - they are so helping to get me through and can't think you enough. Just talking to others who know how you feel is wonderful. I wish you all a lovely Easter. Those who are through treatment I hope you were loving life and living it to the full. Those like me who are still caught in this 'blip' in our lives here is to the future xxxxx
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30-03-2018
11:11
Hi ladies I just wanted to thank you for your replies to my comment on this thread. For some reason I had not received notification of replies hence my lateness in thanking you. I am now awaiting date for mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction as unfortunately due to there being three separate areas my surgeon said this would get me a good cosmetic result. He picked up on the fact of how important this is to me. I am extremely nervous. Can't quite get my head around staying in hospital for best part of a week and having to rely on others to help me with personal stuff such as washing. I keep trying to see beyond it and telling myself that life can and will be normal afterwards. Hoping I am stronger than I think! One thing I have discovered is how kind people are. I have always suffered from low self esteem so it has been wonderful to feel such love from my husband daughters family and friends. Also the support of the ladies on this forum (some of whom have contacted me personally). I keep re- reading your words of encouragement - they are so helping to get me through until I can put all this behind me. Happy Easter everyone! Xxx
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