DCIS

Hi Ladies,

Happy New Year to you all.

Just letting you know I've managed to organise a pre-op appointment for Monday 4th Jan to hopefully get all my questions answered, so I'll know more shortly.

Cheers, Trace

Hi Bubbles,

I would go with the least invasive surgery,hook wire excision.  The doctor will not be able to tell you exactly what size breast it will be, until they do the surgery and remove what they have to.

I am a DD and had a lumpectomy in my left breast which is now a D.  Must left breast looks heaps better than my right. Perky! If you can get the other breast done at the same time, so that your tops sit straight on you, and it will make your breasts look 10 years younger.

stay strong,

Liz 

Thanks ladies for all your wonderful & sensible advice.  It's great to know others are there to talk to who understand.  Will let you know how I get on.

Cheers, Trace (Bubbles)

So sorry you find yourself on this path Bubbles, but you've come to the right place.  Everyone here is giving you such great advice. This road is a long one and hard enough as it is and you really want to feel comfortable with your surgeons and the team looking after you because you are going to see them often on this journey and with the craziness and uncertainty that breast cancer brings, you want to at least trust and feel secure with them on your side, otherwise you might resent them or be more scared than what you should be.

Also, a few months down the track when you have had time to comprehend your situation better and think clearer you might feel different than what you feel now, so you want to evaluate everything with caution and not make rushed decisions. Looking back at my own mastectomy, I am so happy I decided to go with that option because I didn’t want any breast tissue remaining in case my cancer came back. (I have a bit of a tendency to be a worry wort! Lol)

My breast surgeon and reconstruction specialist were both amazing in talking through options and explaining their reasoning which helped me make informed decisions. You deserve nothing less than complete peace of mind before surgery. All the best with your treatment, keep us posted on what happens, we are all here for support xxx Hugs Rene

Hi Bubbles,

I would be contacting the clinic and asking if there is someone you can talk to about this.  No matter what any doctor or anyone else tells you always remember that its your body, your choice.  I think sometimes doctors get so caught up in trying to work out whats best that they forget that this is all so strange and new for us.

Have a chat to them and let them know you are confused.

Good luck with it all.

cheers

Mira

Hi Bubbles

Goodness, what a start you are having.  Congratulations on not being forced into an early decision.

As I am from regional Victoria I can understand your frustrations.  I was not offered a reconstruction but have now found out that is because my surgeon does not do them !  My DCIS was extensive so mastectomy was done ASAP.

Knowing what I now know I would have insisted on a different path.  So, my response to you is to ask for a referral to another specialist who can explain it all to you properly.  DCIS seems to be a confusing thing and they all have different opinions.  Some say the other breast would never get it and others say it is more likely to get it.

You need more information to make an informed decision.  If the other breast needs work then perhaps ask for a double mastectomy and immediate reconstruction - that way you are more likely to get a better result of a 'matching pair'.  Besides, you can also choose the size !

Good luck and ask ask ask - do not settle for less than what you want for yourself.

Summer  :-)

Hi! Perhaps if you ring the Peter McCallum centre to see if there is a breast care nurse or counsellor you can speak with and get some brochures and information about options so that you can have a clear understanding of what is best for you.

Take care

Hi, yes you do have a say and you are entitled to an explanation as to the sudden change in direction. It was great that the reconstruction discussion happened, but they need to discuss with you (& hear your concerns about breast size etc) what is going to work best for you. It certainly is worth getting some other opinions before you commit to surgery as you need to feel confident in your treatment and subsequent reconstruction options. Best of luck, Jane xx

Hi there if uou are willing to go to melb then breast surgeon jenny senior is superb and really one of the best. Her consulting fee is reasonable and she won't be swayed by other opinions but offer her own and this plus her skill as a surgeon is fantastic.  I wasn't offered a mascetimy and professionals have to really look for the operational line. All the best