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.

Hi I had bilateral mx with tissue expanders around 4 weeks ago, as I couldnt tolerate the morphine i made it through with just panadol/panadiene and found the pain easy to handle, the drains are a pain to have to carry around with you, I had 4, my advice is try not to be scared, I am sure it will not be as bad as you think, sure it is not a walk in the park, but it is certainly better than you can imagine, try to obatin one or two of the cresent shaped pillows (zoton) from your breast care nurse, I still hug mine to my chest now and it helps get you throught the night, I had full range of motion in my arms from the start, but if you think you might have problems with that, take in some button through clothes and ps's, have a look for a couple of old posts the sharon has made about what to take to hospital and what has got you through, they will help no end, and I know it is hard but try and think well at least now I know I have this, I can start to kick its arse, if you had not of persevered and got the diagnosis, it would still be there for god knows how long doing its worst without your knowledge, you know about the war now, and you can battle bit by bit and win Cheers Narelle

Thanks so much for your comments Narelle, i find it so comforting to talk to people who have been where I am at now. I will ask my breast care nurse about the pillows and I have been buying lots of button up pjs already. Don't know how many lymph nodes they plan on removing or what movement will be like post op. I am glad I perservered as well part of me thinks it was my best friend's voice in my head insisting I get everything checked out. I really think she is my angel on this journey. Lots of love

Hi Coco, I also had a bilateral mastectomy, and like Narelle, it wasn't too bad. My grade 3 invasive breast cancer also didn't show up on a mammogram, and the ultrasound showed it to be 4mm, when in fact it was 21mm. This surprised everyone, and so I decided after chemo was finished that I would also remove the other one as I would always find it hard to trust another mammogram. I had tissue expanders added at this second mastectomy, and have now completed my reconstruction. I have had no regrets at all about having this second mastectomy. It has given me peace of mind. Good luck with your surgery. Love Chris xx

8 days | BCNA Online Network

17 Replies

TonyaM
Member
14 years ago
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
coco
Member
14 years ago
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
coco
Member
14 years ago
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
Mon
Member
14 years ago
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
Mon
Member
14 years ago
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
coco
Member
14 years ago
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.
coco
Member
14 years ago
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?
Mon
Member
14 years ago
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
coco
Member
14 years ago
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.

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8 days

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