HIgh grade DCIS

Question

Hi all
This is my first post. Following a first ever mammogram I was diagnosed with high grade 50mm DCIS. I had a nipple saving mastectomy with a saline implant. Two days post op half my breast skin died including my nipple. I had a second surgery immediately and the surgeon used my back muscle and tissue to help with a skin graft. I was very disappointed and still wonder what went wrong. I have a few thoughts, but I need to move on.&nbsp;
Got my pathology today and all clear, with no follow up treatment. I look forward to hearing from others who have been through my situation
thank you Lisa&nbsp;

socoda · Answer

Hi Lisa, Welcome to the site. So sorry to hear that you have had such a hard road with your surgeries. As for what went wrong - my surgeon explained to me that with skin and nipple saving mastectomies that they have to literally shave the tissue away in sometimes incredibly thin slices to try and obtain the cancer free margins. Sometimes if the cancer is close to the skin the skin may be left without adequate blood supply from the amount of tissue left behind and when that happens the skin perishes. I truly cannot imagine how devastating that must have been for you. Just wondering if perhaps you had considered having some counselling to help you through ending up with a surgery that was different to what you originally had planned? The helpline (131120) can put you in touch with someone in your area if you need to chat to a professional and of course we are all here to chat and try to help as well ;-). &nbsp;On the positive side Congratulations on getting the all clear with your pathology and not requiring further treatment. Are you going to be on hormone therapy such as tamoxifen? Wishing you all the best with your recovery. Let us know how you're going. Xx Cath

primek · Answer

Unfortunately though rare this is always a risk. So sorry &nbsp;this has happened to you but good to hear the second op was a success. Will you need to return for adjustment surgery? Glad to hear you are now cancer free and hope in time you can celebrate this. Thanks for posting. I can understand yourxsensecof loss, it's &nbsp;like losing your breast twice. Take care. &nbsp;Kath x

ann-marie · Answer

Hi Tao, I just wanted to jump in and say welcome to the online network. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. The members here are wonderful and will be able to provide you with the support you need, so just ask away. If there is anything I can help you with just let me know. Ann-Marie

melhay · Answer

So sorry to hear your&nbsp;surgery didn't turn out as you'd hoped Lisa.
If you don't feel comfortable talking to your surgeon about why it happened&nbsp;you could try asking your&nbsp;GP. As the others have mentioned there are also various Cancer counselling services available that may be able to provide further&nbsp;information.
Just know that you are entitled to feel to&nbsp;sad, angry, disappointed &amp; that this is a safe place to vent those feelings :)&nbsp;
Be&nbsp;sure to&nbsp;celebrate those great pathology results!&nbsp;
Mel xx

autore · Answer

Hi Lisa
Sorry to hear of your experience. I can totally empathize, as the exact same thing happened to me . Having 2 major surgeries like that in a row is epic - I was in hospital for weeks and have never felt so much pain . Unfortunately it does take months for the skin (and muscles) to heal. Keep the scars taped up and use loads of bio oil - my plastics said this will help minimize scarring.&nbsp;
What did the surgeons tell you? Mine were quiet at first but I have received some answers since from 1 of the surgeons. Socoda is right about the skin not having enough blood supply. My skin died where the tumour was.
I'm still taped up and going through surgical procedures. It can be painful and hard to psychologically deal with. BUT it does get better with time and plastics are able to do some truly amazing things. Mine are looking better every time they work on it and they honestly look LOADS better than even a month ago. I'm also seeing an oesteopath and psychologist to help with stress and mobility.
be great to hear how you are going and what the surgeons told you.&nbsp;
sending hugs xo

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HIgh grade DCIS

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