Dates been set!

Hi Anne MP, I am one week post skin sparing mastectomy and diep flap reconstruction. My pathology came back today and in total it was 2.5cm of DCIS and a 2nd area under the nipple (hence the nipple is gone) of a few mms. Sentinal nodes were clear.

i am feeling very happy and relieved. Sore and bruised too. My surgeon tells me I made the right decision, so I feel justified as well. Mentally I am 100% better. Sleeping again and no more panic attacks.

Anne how are you? How are you coping with your treatment?

Oh My God Anne, I am so sorry this has happened to you. You have been so brave with your decision and I truly thought you would be safe, I can not believe this..it's just not fair....

I am thinking of you and your family... many hugs and best wishes Jen XX

Hi Jen , got my biopsy results back today and not what I was hoping for. The DCIS was invasive a total of 110mm of cancer cells were removed, basically the whole breast was affected. The surgeon said she was glad I had decided to do a bilateral mastectomy now and very lucky I went for the mammogram when I did. Lymph nodes were clear which is good, but it's off the the oncologist on Monday for some follow up treatment. Possibly tamoxifen and some other drug I can't remember the name but this drug will put me into a false menopause which will stop the hormone that increases the cancer cells from developing. May need some chemo but she thinks the medication will be enough. Apparently there is a test I can have that will say if I need chemo but its not funded in Australia so the tissue needs to go to America it will cost $4000 which is a joke. I guess I'll see what the oncologist says what the advantages of having chemo are, and will it decrease the chance of it reoccurring. I really thought after this operation that it would be over and done with, obviously I'm in for a longer journey.

The node biopsy is standard procedure apparently it's easier to do whilst you still have breast tissue. Good luck with your decision making. Speak soon Anne xx

The node biopsy is standard procedure apparently it's easier to do whilst you still have breast tissue. Good luck with your decision making. Speak soon Anne xx

Hi Anne, thank god the operation is over and now you can concentrate on getting better one day at a time. From what I've read 4-6 weeks to feel human again. I didnt realise you would need a node biopsy at this point.

You are my thoughts and prayers. Best wishes Jen

Hi Jen, day 1 after my op, I feel like I've been hit by a truck! All went well I will get the results of the node biopsy on Thursday, but the surgeon was confident that all will be well. I haven't looked at them yet as they are all bandaged up, but they are as hard as two rocks. My chest is really sore too but they said that should settle in a few days. Do take your time in your decision it is a big one and emotionally a hard one. I am glad I made this decision and now Its over and I just have to heal. Let me know how u go with the brca results. Take care xx

Thanks Anne, I appreciate all the information. Good Luck for tomorrow, I will be thinking of you and I hope everything goes well.

I spoke to my specialist yesterday and he doesnt want to make any definite decisions til the brca gene test comes back on the 7th of December. He keeps telling me I have time to think this through! He said he will do a double mastectomy rather than conservative treatment if I undergo counselling, which i am more than happy to do.

Personally I'd go a mastectomy over radiation, I don't want to do this again. I felt the saline felt more natural. I'm looking forward to Wednesday!!! Anne x

As I have DCIS , I wont need any other treatment if I have a mastectomy. I worry about the radiation treatment because if I later decide to have a mastectomy, the skin doesnt heal as well and reduces the likelihood of having a successful reconstruction. The new gene test results wont be out for 5 years and I am worried that if they are bad I will wish I had a mastectomy right at the beginning. From what I have read if you have DCIS and you have a relapse 60% of the time it will be invasive. Both of my sisters had really nasty aggressive cancers.

How do you decide on saline versus silicone implants?

I think I might be in same boat as you size wise. I have battled to lose the baby weight for 10years! Now I have dropped 6kg since this started and now am the perfect weight I wanted to be. Just shows you should watch what you wish for.

Good Luck for the 27th Anne , I willl be thinking of you. Jen X