more thanks

I'm glad I've been able to shed some light on what is a very confusing experience. You are correct in thinking that DCIS is contained cancer - still in the ductal system of the breast and not yet invasive into the breast tissue. It is believed that if left alone, it would most likely become an invasive cancer. The type I had was Her2+ but negative for oestrogen and Progesterone sensitivity. I have learnt so much about BC since I got ill - I wish I had had the luxury of time before having such major surgery, but I had 13 days from diagnosis to mastectomy and I spent most of that time crying! I'm sorry you've had a hard life but I'm very happy that you have supportive children who will be there for you through this experience. Good luck with everything, and I am very happy to hear from you whenever you need a friendly ear. More hugs, xxx, Jeanine

Hello Jeanine It's great that you replied to me especially about the sentinel node biopsy. I really don't care about what I will look like after the mastectomy as I really wanted the surgeon to take both breasts off at the same time but he said he should only do one as doing both may delay treatment for the bc in the one breast that has it. I have read about your type of cancer and what kind of treatment did you have after mastectomy. Are you ok now? I thought that DCIS was still contained in the breast. I have learnt so much about breast cancer and the different types of treatment. Did you have "risk factors". I thought that I didn't, so when I had a small twinge in my left side on waking up on some mornings I thought I had just slept on my side too heavily. I actually found the cancer when I was checking a mole under the breast and the cancer was there where I had felt the twinge. How did you find yours? One thing that really makes me feel that it's so unfair is that is that my husband has never been ill...I am so jealous. I have a mother who has always emotionally abused me so I will not tell her of my bc. But I have three lovely grown up children who are very good to me. My husband and mother and his family always were abusive to me especially when I was ill. I have had a thyroidectomy and am on oroxine, have had my gall bladder taken out and I have a metal plate in my wrist. I thought that was enough for me but now there is much worse it seems. I feel that I have spent too much time looking after my husbands, his and my family's emotional and physical needs that there was no room for me and now finally my body has had enough. But my three children are really the best. My youngest son is coming to stay for my operation and says that "he will make sure that we get through this" as he says he wouldn't be able to live without his mum, so I will try' every way I can to get through. I also now think that stress is a "risk factor" in bc as I have been stressed by my mother and my husband and his family all my life as I now can see through all of their motives which I think that they just wanted to play silly games with me and it became a way of life. My husband actually burst into tears at my diagnosis and is now very supportive as I think he is terrified also. Giedre xxxxs and hugs to you

I'm so sorry to read about your diagnosis. I recognise the terror your are feeling and completely understand why things are so bewildering. Getting a BC diagnosis is such a hard thing to process and I'm sure you are still in shock. This can take a long time to subside but it does, eventually, go. Once you begin your treatment and realise that your doctor is looking after you, and that you can cope with what is happening to you, you will be able to see that many other people have walked the same path and you are not alone. In July 2012, had bilateral mastectomies after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of DCIS. Even though the surgeon didn't believe that I had any lymphatic involvement, he still expressed the importance of doing a sentinal-lymph node biopsy to make sure there was no evidence of cancer in the lymph. It was hard waiting for the results to come in, and such a relief when I was told it was clear. It's important for you to have this, as the outcome of the biopsy will have an effect on what type of treatment you receive after your mastectomy. The reason your doctor is waiting two weeks after your surgery before starting your treatment, is to allow your body to heal a bit first from the surgery. I was also frightened of having the surgery and feared what I was going to look like, as well as what the outcome of the testing was going to be. I urge you to talk about your fears openly, either on this forum, or with close friends or relatives. There is a big emotional adjustment to be made and if you don't feel you are coping with your feelings, you must find a professional to talk to so you can work through them. I had a very hard time about four months after my initial surgery and spent a long time crying over the loss of my breasts - something that doesn't get addressed in the beginning as your doctors are more concerned about treating the cancer. I only wish I had found this network earlier as there is so much support to be found here. I wish you the best of luck with everything and am very happy to have a private conversation with you if your prefer - you send a message to my inbox. Try not to stress too much. Put one foot in front of the other and stay calm. You can do this! Sending hugs, Xxx Jeanine

I'm so sorry to read about your diagnosis. I recognise the terror your are feeling and completely understand why things are so bewildering. Getting a BC diagnosis is such a hard thing to process and I'm sure you are still in shock. This can take a long time to subside but it does, eventually, go. Once you begin your treatment and realise that your doctor is looking after you, and that you can cope with what is happening to you, you will be able to see that many other people have walked the same path and you are not alone. In July 2012, had bilateral mastectomies after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of DCIS. Even though the surgeon didn't believe that I had any lymphatic involvement, he still expressed the importance of doing a sentinal-lymph node biopsy to make sure there was no evidence of cancer in the lymph. It was hard waiting for the results to come in, and such a relief when I was told it was clear. It's important for you to have this, as the outcome of the biopsy will have an effect on what type of treatment you receive after your mastectomy. The reason your doctor is waiting two weeks after your surgery before starting your treatment, is to allow your body to heal a bit first from the surgery. I was also frightened of having the surgery and feared what I was going to look like, as well as what the outcome of the testing was going to be. I urge you to talk about your fears openly, either on this forum, or with close friends or relatives. There is a big emotional adjustment to be made and if you don't feel you are coping with your feelings, you must find a professional to talk to so you can work through them. I had a very hard time about four months after my initial surgery and spent a long time crying over the loss of my breasts - something that doesn't get addressed in the beginning as your doctors are more concerned about treating the cancer. I only wish I had found this network earlier as there is so much support to be found here. I wish you the best of luck with everything and am very happy to have a private conversation with you if your prefer - you send a message to my inbox. Try not to stress too much. Put one foot in front of the other and stay calm. You can do this! Sending hugs, Xxx Jeanine

I am due to have a mastectomy next Friday and am so scared of the whole procedure and not waking up from the anaesthetic. I never imagined i would have breast cancer, have breast fed three children, exercised every day and eaten healthy. I am worried about the sentinel node thing, as my pathology from core biopsy says that there is no lymphovascular involvement, but the breast surgeon says that they still have to look at the nodes. It's Stage 2 Grade 2 and I am terrified that it has spread. The ultrasound said that my lymph nodes are not involved, then why and what is the significance of the sentinel node and if it's involved does it mean that I have secondary cancer somewhere as well. Why do I have to wait for two weeks after my mastectomy before I can start treatment? It's invasive lobular with high oestrogen and progesterone levels. Why can't I begin treatment earlier or is this normal length of time?

I am due to have a mastectomy next Friday and am so scared of the whole procedure and not waking up from the anaesthetic. I never imagined i would have breast cancer, have breast fed three children, exercised every day and eaten healthy. I am worried about the sentinel node thing, as my pathology from core biopsy says that there is no lymphovascular involvement, but the breast surgeon says that they still have to look at the nodes. It's Stage 2 Grade 2 and I am terrified that it has spread. The ultrasound said that my lymph nodes are not involved, then why and what is the significance of the sentinel node and if it's involved does it mean that I have secondary cancer somewhere as well. Why do I have to wait for two weeks after my mastectomy before I can start treatment? It's invasive lobular with high oestrogen and progesterone levels. Why can't I begin treatment earlier or is this normal length of time?

I am due to have a mastectomy next Friday and am so scared of the whole procedure and not waking up from the anaesthetic. I never imagined i would have breast cancer, have breast fed three children, exercised every day and eaten healthy. I am worried about the sentinel node thing, as my pathology from core biopsy says that there is no lymphovascular involvement, but the breast surgeon says that they still have to look at the nodes. It's Stage 2 Grade 2 and I am terrified that it has spread. The ultrasound said that my lymph nodes are not involved, then why and what is the significance of the sentinel node and if it's involved does it mean that I have secondary cancer somewhere as well. Why do I have to wait for two weeks after my mastectomy before I can start treatment? It's invasive lobular with high oestrogen and progesterone levels. Why can't I begin treatment earlier or is this normal length of time?

I am due to have a mastectomy next Friday and am so scared of the whole procedure and not waking up from the anaesthetic. I never imagined i would have breast cancer, have breast fed three children, exercised every day and eaten healthy. I am worried about the sentinel node thing, as my pathology from core biopsy says that there is no lymphovascular involvement, but the breast surgeon says that they still have to look at the nodes. It's Stage 2 Grade 2 and I am terrified that it has spread. The ultrasound said that my lymph nodes are not involved, then why and what is the significance of the sentinel node and if it's involved does it mean that I have secondary cancer somewhere as well. Why do I have to wait for two weeks after my mastectomy before I can start treatment? It's invasive lobular with high oestrogen and progesterone levels. Why can't I begin treatment earlier or is this normal length of time?

Hi Angie. I think the problem is that most surgeons don't explain that pain and swelling is normal - I was in the unfortunate position of seeing my sister in terrible pain with swelling etc, so I knew that it wasn't just me. Don't be in a rush to go back to your normal activities - just do what feels right. I found that If I became impatient and did more than was sensible, I paid for it in pain the next day. Be kind to yourself and go at your own pace - that's the only thing that matters. Sending hugs, Xxx Jeanine