Wow, it never ceases to amaze me how much great advise and support we get from this website. I was diagnosed with DCIS back in Oct 2012, i was 43 when i was diagnosed, ive had my family so i cant help with the fertility question, without going into all the details I ended up having a double mastectomy (needed to have the right removed, I chose to have the left removed). I was told that after the mastectomy that would be it as DCIS is early stages and contained within the duct so with no invasive cells there would be no need for treatment.
However after the operation I was told they also found an invasive tumor 17mm with invasive cells. they were able to remove it all and lymph nodes were clear. I am currently on tamoxifen, and will go on injections in about 2 mths time which will switch off my ovaries, my oncologist doesn't seem to think chemo is necessary as it was node negative ?? so I was happy with this outcome as I've already had my family so switching off my ovaries was not an issue for me. I will be having my ovaries removed later this year so i don't have to have the monthly injections.
I chose reconstruction with implants, at the moment I have tissue expanders in which will be there till April then the silicone implants will be put in.
I went through the private system, yes I was out of pocket quite a bit approx $12K by the time I'm done. I'm sure going public would be fine but I chose my doctors( this was really important to me) and it was able to be done quickly. A relative of mine went through the public system and she had to wait nearly 12 months for the implants, but was happy with the treatment she received.
Recovery wasn't as bad as I thought, the first two weeks were the hardest, but I am now back to work (I'm a beauty therapist), and getting normality back was my best form of therapy.
Cass I wish your sister all the very best, just get her to do her research as much research as she can, and to be comfortable with the medical team she is working with. I watched you tube videos on reconstructions, looked at different ways to be reconstructed, types of treatment for different types of cancers, knowledge is power, if she goes in informed she will be more comfortable with the out come.
I'm one of 6 children, both my mum and eldest sister have also had breast cancer prior to me in fact we were all diagnosed in the last 12 months so its been a pretty crazy year, but the support we gave each other was amazing, as I'm sure you will support your sister, listen to her, let her cry on your shoulder laugh with her, and let yourself cry too, this is a journey the whole family will go on but together you will come through it.
Good luck.