Breast Cancer Now Forum

I am a few years after this stage.  I had DCIS diagnosed after a routine mammogram and the follow up tests.  The first WLE didn't get clear margins and it was more extensive than they first thought.  My surgeon gave me the option of a further WLE or a mastectomy with simultaneous reconstruction using an implant and strattice.  I opted for the further WLE.  I was very committed to my job at the time, and also very active so I was attracted to the shorter recovery time for the WLE.  In short they achieved clear margins and I had a few weeks of radiotherapy, which was also fine. It was high grade DCIS and my surgeon was pretty clear that it needed to come out. However, even if it had been intermediate grade, I think it would have been much harder to live with watchful waiting.  I am happy with the choices I made and how I look, but its an individual choice.  Good luck  ... View more

Hi EllaJo.  Firstly sorry that you’re feeling so low. I had 2 WLEs and 5 weeks of radiotherapy for DCIS and my treatment finished in August 2015. While I had no skin problems with the rads I did get very tired, and being tired gives me a low mood. This is a time for taking care of yourself and resting.    You sound like you are feeling  isolated in the sense that those around you don’t know how to support you.  It’s tough, but I think the prospect of losing you means that your family go through their own trauma. I felt that I needed to put on a brave face especially for my daughter and not express my feelings about the DCIS. In fact I made light of it. Even now more than 3 years on, she still finds it difficult to talk about and gets very upset. She basically had a breakdown about a year after my treatment finished. What you wrote about your youngest resonated with me.    People deal with things in different ways and sometimes those ways are difficult to understand or feel wrong or unhelpful eg pretending that everything is fine - that was my husband’s preference. He was dealing with things in a way that worked for him, but it left me feeling very alone. We understand that about each other now.   I’m sure your family love you very much.    What helped me? These forums. There’s also a you tube channel called CancerStories which helped me to understand that I was not the only one struggling to cope afterwards. This far on, apart from the usual anxious wait after my surveillance mammogram each year, I can honestly say that I am happier than before the cancer. Good luck x   ... View more

Amanda, so sorry for your loss. Words are inadequate.  Regarding the 300 mile drive, would you be driving yourself or being a passenger?  If you're driving, It makes a difference based on the way the seatbelt goes across your chest in your make of car (mine is just in the wrong place, not adjustable, but a car I borrowed was perfectly comfortable).  Also, especially after the 2nd op I found the codeine based painkiller worked best, but can make you sleepy.  This is a dreadful thing to deal with on top of the bc. Sending love.  ... View more

Francine, glad it went well. Fingers crossed for clear margins xx ... View more