LJC85
2 years agoMember
DCIS - Flat, Flap or Implant??
I didn’t see it coming //
Last year I had a leaking nipple, I was waking with dried patches on my pyjamas.
I was annoyed and wanted the leaking to stop.
I went to the GP, had an ultrasound and they saw a small blockage in my duct.
I was sent to the surgeon, who said it’s most likely a papiloma, let’s remove the duct and the leaking will stop.
Mammogram, Ultrasound & MRI “clear”
Surgery #1 - removed duct, easy recovery.
I go to appointment alone for results coz we all thought it was just a papiloma, SHOCK biopsy found DCIS intermediate grade. “I’m sorry stage 0 pre-cancer, we have to remove your nipple for clear margins and possible radiotherapy treatment afterwards.”
I spent 4 weeks getting used to the idea of living without my nipple, what a funny body part to remove, but hey lucky me they found it early and I can move on from this and maybe get a nice nipple tattoo.
Surgery #2 - removed nipple, fairly easy recovery. Go to appointment to find out if I need radiotherapy or not - hopeful this is the end of the line. SHOCK biopsy found more DCIS “I’m sorry but you need a mastectomy - your choices are Flat, Flap or implant”
Absolutely broken and devastated. I’ve got lovely boobs (even without a nipple!) for 38 years old and have breast fed 2 kids (last feed 7 years ago).
I’m 16DD, I dont think I’m confident enough to be flat. A flap sounds like a horrible recovery and I have to have extra scaring on my stomach?! And an implant only lasts 10 years?
How does anyone make such a difficult choice??
I didn’t even see this coming 😪😪
I speak to a plastic surgeon team next week about options, how do you know you’re making the right choice? I don’t know anyone who has this experience, I want to talk to real people. 😭😭😭
Ps: anyone from Outer East Melbourne