Recovering from DCIS grade 3 double mastectomy

May2024

 Hi Everyone, Just wanted to introudce myself & tell my story. I am 52 & recovering from a bilateral nipple sparing mastectomy & immediate implant recon & right sentinel node surgery. I was diagnosed with DCIS grade 3 (right breast) on 7th November.  There is a history of breast cancer in my family (my Mum is a breast cancer survivor, her younger sister and her Mum were both in their early 40's when they passed away from breast cancer. My Dad's sister also passed away from breast cancer.  At my initial appointment with the surgeon, he said he would usually do a lumpectomy for this however with my family history he recommended I consider a double mastectomy.  It was a no brainer for me - I had always had in the back of my mind I'd request a double mastectomy if I was ever diagnosed with breast cancer however I had always planned to go 'flat'. The surgeon was thorough with his information on 'flat' -v- implant recon and I chose recon, much to my surprise.  I had the surgery on 20th Nov. Mastectomy and recon went well.  I was due to be discharged on the 24th however the evening of the 23rd, my left breast was rock hard and it had moved. The nurses called the surgeon and he arrived within 10 mins, took one look at my breast and advised I'd need immediate surgery as the nipple was dying.  Turns out I had a massive haematoma that caused havoc to the implant so he had to pull it out, clean it and re-do it.  The nipple survived!.  After the mastectomy, everything was sent to pathology and surprisingly, they found another lot of cancer on the other side of my right breast that was larger than the initial cancer but it had not shown up on the MRI, mammogram or u/sound and was also a grade 3 aggressive. Thankfully my node result came back clear and the surgeon said because I chose the double mastectomy, I would not require any treatment.  Recovery has been slow but I am making sure I follow exactly what the surgeon says as to what I can / can't do because I am terrified of something going wrong again.  I know how fortunate I am as so many of you are having to endure treatment and at times I feel guilty that I have come out of this so 'easy' (if that makes sense??).