Forum Discussion
8 days
Hi everyone this is my first post. In April this year I was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ after discovering a hardening in my breast. The mammogram didn't pick anything up, nor did the ultrasound, but luckily the surgeon at the breast clinic could feel what I could and he ordered a biopsy. Since my initial diagnosis I have had three MRI's and my diagnosis has changed to the milder in-situ to the much scarier invasive tag and I have gone from being affected in one breast to being affected in both. It has been a lot to take on board.
In eight days I will be having the very real and mind blowing bilateral masectomy. I am very nervous about this and no longer see this as a nightmare I will wake up from. After spending time at the hospital filling out paperwork and speaking to specialists I now know this is very real.
Last year I lost my best friend Lisa to breast cancer she fought bravely for six years so the reality of this is at times mammoth.
I am very lucky to have the wonderful support of my family, friends and breast care nurses. I would love to hear from others regarding their journey. Also any advice regarding the procedure I am about to undergo would be greatly appreciated. I am looking forward to getting rid of the cancer and moving onto treatment I have so much to live for I can not afford to think otherwise.
17 Replies
Welcome back from the darkside.Glad your surgery went ok and hope you have a speedy recovery. Yet another wait for Monday -we do alot of that. Fingers crossed for clear nodes.Sending hugs.
Tonya xx
Thanks Mon I will do that on Monday when I see my team. Hope you are continuing to find happy moments each day . Love Sue
Thanks Mon I will do that on Monday when I see my team. Hope you are continuing to find happy moments each day . Love Sue
Well done for coming out the other end and for advancing forward on this journey. Request a copy of your results for your own records. And plan the next course of action (ie, radiotherapy, chemo) with a clarity for you and your medical team - make sure you are all on the same page. I'm only saying this as my journey with treatment dilemmas continues...
I wish you well,
Mon x
Well done for coming out the other end and for advancing forward on this journey. Request a copy of your results for your own records. And plan the next course of action (ie, radiotherapy, chemo) with a clarity for you and your medical team - make sure you are all on the same page. I'm only saying this as my journey with treatment dilemmas continues...
I wish you well,
Mon x
Well bilateral masectomy done and dusted. Feeling sore and tired all drains are out and I am at home waiting for next stage in this surreal journey. Go back on Monday for path results and next plan of attack.
Finding it very hard to concentrate on anything for longer than a few minutes at a time. I have less than a week until my bilateral operation. I would love to lose myself in a book or work on some craft, but just find that I can't seem to sit still. My brain feels so overactive right now, ti ts driving me insane. On a positvie note the sun is finally shining in Queensland today and I am surrounded by wonderful wishes and support from all corners of the world.
Wondering if I should prepare anything at home for post op times?
An ode your way? Love it! Your Journey, your body, your way!! Awesome!!
I'm sure you'll put the cast in a great spot - out for all the world to admire, or tucked away for your own personal view. Again, your choice.
When you say, though, that you are losing your breasts forever - are you having any reconstruction? I can only speak from my experience but once I made peace with my decision regarding surgery I found it easier to think about the 'new' me. Still me, but a different one than the one we all knew before diagnosis. I'm not saying there aren't down days and sad moments, but I am still grateful for the lessons I've learned on this journey, and how I am glad to still be here living.
Journals - aren't they the greatest release?
And this site...
Take care,
Mon x
Hi Mon,
I have had some photos taken with the family professionally and this weekend I am about to make a cast of my boobs before I lose them forever. I plan on decorating the cast with shells and paint and sort of make it mermaidish. I ordered a kit online like a pregnant belly kit, but it can be used for my purpose just fine. Sounds weird but art is one of my releases and I am looking forward to it. I have no idea how it will turn out and no idea where I will put it once it is done, but it is sort of like an ode to me.
I also write in a journal and try to draw cartoonish type pictrures on a regular basis. This is all so surreal at times, I think it is important to document it all anyway I can.
Hi again,
This may sound silly, but have you thought about taking photos to document your journey? Not for publication or anything, but just to help you 'remember' as you continue on this journey. It may seem odd, but I've been taking photos since i was diagnosed back in January. I still feel "newly diagnosed" but times like tonight - reading your post and that you were diagnosed in April - have made me realise that I've been on this journey for 5 1/2 months now and I have my story/ information that I can share with others "new" to this path.
As I said, I started taking photos back when I was first diagnosed. My breasts (pre and post biopsy), my hair (pre and post haircut), my head (pre and post chemo), my breasts again (pre and post surgery). No-one else has seen the photos, but they're a visual reminder of how far I've come and I find them reassuring.
Just a thought for you between now and your surgery.
Take care, Mon
