Ductal carcinoma in situ

Oh golly, life is a huge slog . You started on a very hard road at 13yr @Sister , how traumatic , and @"Kiwi Angel" with your mum at 25, I got to 36 virtually unscathed but it's been a bit of a bumpy road since then putting it mildly. It appears most of us on here seem to have lived through traumas and stress. And maybe appeared to deal with it all quite well at the time  .... I still think this has a huge factor when it comes to getting bc. Hugs everyone 

@Sister - that’s so sad and so true. Some people get to their 60’s before they have loss like a parent that has lived a rich life until their 90’s and then some of us just get hammered with loss. As they say, what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger - doesn’t make it any easier though. So sorry for your losses xoxoxoox

I, for one, think that diseases such as bc owe a lot to stress.  Whether that's in my mind (ha!) or reality may never be proven, I guess.

I agree with that @Sister. My sister-in-law did too.

Your family has suffered a great deal and I am so sorry that all of you have had to go through that. Our society seems to 'hide' death but for many that's not really true, is it?

When my sister died we spoke to several social workers and psychologists and they told us that there is evidence that for most kids experiencing loss early makes them into more empathetic young adults. I suppose it depends on how the trauma and grieving is handled.

I have tried a handful of times to explain what's going on with my treatment to my niece and nephew. The latter (12) most recently rolled his eyes, interrupted me with "Aunty Katy, there's nothing we don't know about chemotherapy, you don't have to explain". It was both funny and sad.

Thanks for your support ladies. My second excisional biopsy has just come back with more DCIS. Surgeon is suggesting breast reduction on both sides - anyone else heard of this?

Not sleeping?  It's particularly hard when you've got unknowns jumping around in you head.  I haven't experience of this but I'm sure you'll get some answers when better sleepers awake.  

Hi @JEC that seems reasonable if it is in both sides??

My head has been spinning also. I went to my oncologist yesterday and thought I was starting chemo and then having a full mastectomy - now, my advice has taken a full 360! I now need surgery and then chemo, in the hope that the chemo I need may be able to be reduced. Does this sound right?? I feel like I go from one specialist to the next and they keep changing their minds. Has anyone had a full mastectomy??