On May 8th 2023, I found a breast lump in the evening. I went to the doctors the following day who referred me to my nearest breast clinic for investigations. a couple of months later I found out it had grown, that I was having surgery. Every test they did (biopsies, mammograms, ultrasounds), were coming back with DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ, this is known as stage 0)
On August 21st 2023, I was on the operating table for the 1st time ever, having a skin sparing, nipple sacrificing, single mastectomy and a lymph node biopsy. I had a night in hospital due to being last in theatre and having a slight complication, and I left hospital with a breast drain
September 13th I got a call from the breast care nurses telling me my path results were back, and could I go in the following day in the afternoon. I called my mum straight away asking her to drop everything for the afternoon of September 14th, I had this niggling feeling.
1pm, Sept 14th and I get called in. My surgeon and breast care nurse were in the room looking solemn, I knew what was going to be said. My surgeon starts, but I had to interrupt her, "You found it, havent you?" I asked. "Yes, we removed a 9cm DCIS with 40mm IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma) with node involvement Grade 3 (they didnt give me a stage). Grade 3 is known as fast growing or aggressive. I was triple positive (hormones and Her2 were "feeding" the cancer)
My treatment plan was an Axillary Lymph Node Clearance, 4 1/2 mths Chemotherapy, 12 mths Her2 treatment and 10 years hormone treatment. I was entitled to a genetic blood test which would take 6-8 weeks for the results, I went for the blood test there and then to get it out the way. the results came back clear of gene mutations in 4 1/2 weeks.
2 weeks after my genetic results, I was back on the operation table having my nodes removed. another night in hospital, and back home with another breast drain. Results showed another 5 nodes were cancerous. I worked out that I was stage 3
Now, nearly a year on from finishing Chemo, I am ready to take the next steps to feel more myself again, by getting a mesh integration service, and I would like your help to raise these funds
I appreciate anything you could possibly donate to this cause, and anything over the amount I need will go to others in my situation