Some good news ...

After my re-excision, the good news is that there is no residual disease in my breast. I have clear margins. My breast has survived! (Had clear margins not been achieved, a mastectomy would have been the next step!) I had my post operative appointment on Monday with my breast surgeon who was pleased with the look of my breast. The scar line has slightly increased in length and is raised (he entered through his previous excision) but hopefully with massage and tender loving care it should fade into a thin white line. He also kept the scar within my bra line (thanks to a faint tan line). My breast, still swollen, does look rather flat in the area of the excision but I am not complaining. It is not noticeable when wearing a bra. The previous scar tissue was removed along with 10 mm of surrounding tissue so my breast feels soft in the extraction area. My breast surgeon said that new scar tissue will not form and I may be left with a dent. (Rather a small dent than the loss of my breast  ).

I have now been referred to a Radiotherapy Oncologist. Even though my breast is now disease free, Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (a non invasive form of breast cancer) has a 30% recurrence rate, 50% of which recurs as an invasive cancer! Radiotherapy is known to cut this recurrence rate in half. Much as I would prefer not to have radiotherapy, it is unavoidable in my case as my ducts were filled with comedo narcosis (ie evidence of cell death and decay). Comedo carcinoma is considered to be of a higher grade and a little more aggressive than other grades of DCIS and has to be treated more aggressively. I meet with my radio oncologist on 17th March to discuss my treatment plan which my breast surgeon said will probably be 5 days a week for perhaps 5/6 weeks. 

All-in-all I feel extremely fortunate in that my breast cancer was discovered at an early stage and that I've an excellent outcome (98% survival rate over 15 years). I've also been lucky in that I am extremely fit, thanks to my workout program which has stood me in good stead.  My diet program has been excellent during my treatment. I've eaten to maintenance and above, counted calories and weighed my food. Two weeks before my second operation I increased my protein to 100 grams. Eating well before and after my operations has allowed me to heal quickly but it has also given me plenty of energy for my body to cope with the stress placed upon it. I have another day operation on 11th March - my third (and hopefully my last - not connected to my breast cancer) in three months. Again, I shall be under general anesthesia. If I can and my operation is not too early, hopefully I will have time for a workout beforehand as I find working out beneficial as I will also be out of action for a day or so afterward. 

During treatment, amazingly, I have only missed 4 workouts since 19th December. I have worked out before and after my surgeries and intend to workout throughout my radiotherapy treatment - continuing on with Circuits until all my treatment is complete (barring fatigue which may result because of radiotherapy treatment). I used lighter weights after surgery for a couple of weeks and have had to adapt a few of the exercises (ie pushups, the stability ball and lateral raises) but thanks to Circuits I have kept on track and have easily maintained my fitness level. After my operation last Tuesday, I was back to lifting on Thursday without problems. Being fit and healthy has definitely helped with my recovery and has probably also been beneficial for my breasts. 

It's been a stressful time but working out, eating well and being fit has helped me cope. I've definitely had some highs and lows over the past couple of months - breast cancer is challenging whatever stage you are in. I intend to keep up the good work with my workouts and diet and I know the program I am on will keep me on track. Reading material tells me that being within my BMI, working out, avoiding alcohol and eating well may keep the cancer at bay. No one knows what the future may hold but whatever it is for me, I face it with positivity, strength and confidence.