DCIS not sure how to feel
Long story so I do apologize.
In Nov 2015 I took a massive step of having weight loss surgery. In June I went to see my plastic surgeon in Sydney for my pre op to having loose skin removed due to my severe weight loss. Now just only about 3 weeks prior to this appointment had I had a mammogram as part of the surgeons request prior to breast implants. 10 mins before this pre op appointment I got the diagnosis of DCIS, I was told I was ‘lucky’ that it’s very early, didn’t feel lucky. Needless to say I had to put all my planned skin removal surgery on hold.
In Nov 2015 I took a massive step of having weight loss surgery. In June I went to see my plastic surgeon in Sydney for my pre op to having loose skin removed due to my severe weight loss. Now just only about 3 weeks prior to this appointment had I had a mammogram as part of the surgeons request prior to breast implants. 10 mins before this pre op appointment I got the diagnosis of DCIS, I was told I was ‘lucky’ that it’s very early, didn’t feel lucky. Needless to say I had to put all my planned skin removal surgery on hold.
I saw a general surgeon who explained what DCIS was and due to my extensive DCIS and my small and known hypoplastic breasts I was advised to have a nipple sparing mastectomy. I was in shock, I work at the only public hospital in my town and didn’t want everyone knowing my business so opted to go private. Little did I know that I would not have access to a breast care nurse or any help at home afterwards (we are British and have no family). So I had my mastectomy and expander filled with air, and lymph nodes removed, Jesus wept no one prepared me for how much that lymphcintograpghy would hurt, I cried, no mean feat for a 40 year old women to not be able to hold herself together, I felt quite ashamed but was told I had done very well as most women swear or scream the whole Centre down!. Anyway I had terrible post op nursing care, had huge amounts of skin reactions and no real follow up care. Went back to see the surgeon for my test results to be told that even though they had taken 5cms of cancer away the margins were at 6.5cms and included the nipple so 2 weeks after the first op I had to go back to theatre. Again I had my expander filled with 200mls of saline. No one told me how painful this thing is and I now have to endure another 150mls put into it this Friday on my own as my husband can’t be at the appointment to support me and I’m so scared about it. I have contacted my local breast care nurse who doesn’t really want to see my as I’m classed as a private patient not public but she said oh yeah they do move and are uncomfortable and you need yours filling up ASAP. I’m left feeling, well I don’t know really. I have an appointment in Sydney with my plastic surgeon but no idea how I’m going to get there or afford to get there and arrange to have the kids looked after as both are under NDIS as have special needs. Our business had to stop for 8 weeks thanks to COVID-19 so all our savings have disappeared. I know I would of had to go to Sydney anyway eventually to see her to discuss implants etc but I think it’s more all this emotional stuff and the anxiety over having to come out of more anesthesia is giving me severe ‘I can’t do this anymore moments’. The expander is so uncomfortable and I have to go back to work as a nurse as I don’t have much more leave. I have nerve pain and a seroma too. anyway, this is just true tip of the iceberg. Sorry for the long rant!
