My Story Continues With Hope. Have You Been diagnosed with DCIS Breast Cancer?
Lets talk about DCIS Breast Cancer
Dear Kind Reader,
I just want to apologise for not writing for such a long time. The last letter written to you really took a lot out of me. In fact, I cried a lot while writing it.
However, I’m here again, gathering my thoughts to share what happened next. Mind you—as I do this, just so you know— I’m thrilled to share with you that I have recently created a YouTube channel called Her Voice, Her Strength this was inspired by my slogan “God and I beat Breast cancer”. I want be very clear that God is not my favourite person since this experience however, we will get into that later. What to expect when you tune in and subscribe to my channel, you will prominently see myself and my dog also whilst I verbally talk you through my journey. I must say it is not easy, I sometimes speak too quickly and forget certain parts and information of my journey therefore, I believe blogging and writing to you will provide the missing information that I may have forgotten to share on my videos; having a written format of my journey enables me include the details I may have missed so enjoy and I look forward to your engagement. In addition
to this, I have been hosting events such as cancer conferences and serving as a guest motivational speaker at churches and other events. I have now started to share my lived experience to encourage others and create awareness about DCIS breast cancer. If you’re looking for a host or a speaker to inspire and uplift, please feel free to reach out.
Right, let’s get started where we left off when I got back from my holiday. I had a few follow-up hospital appointments to discuss the biopsy, mammogram and the guided ink MRI scan I had.
On 31st October 2022, I attended an appointment in the evening with a female pastor present. The consultant explained in depth the type of cancer they believed it to be. The diagnosis given was In Situ DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)—an early form of breast cancer where the cells lining the milk ducts turn malignant (cancerous) but remain in place and have not spread yet. (I was aware of this when I was first got diagnosed a week before my birthday 17th October 2022 to be precise but I didn’t know what it meant at the time.)
I had planned many questions for this consultant. Here are a few of them:
- What grade is In Situ DCIS? Is it invasive or non-invasive? Is it grade 1, 2, or 3?
- With the second biopsy, have you checked whether this cancer is hormone receptor–positive (estrogen or progesterone)?
- Will someone need to stay with me for a couple of nights after surgery, and do I need to remain in the hospital?
- Will this treatment affect my fertility?
- Can I still be referred to a fertility clinic?
- Why is this the best treatment for me ?
- Are there any other options?
Mind you, I had planned around 16 questions to ask, but I only got to ask six—and they weren’t even answered adequately. I asked if I could record the appointment, and she agreed (although she had the right to decline). However, she was so mean and reluctant to answer my questions, especially when I asked why the sonographer discharged me without performing a biopsy when calcification was found and seen on the scan. She even went so far as to say that she believed the sonographer I saw back in June 2022 did the right thing by not doing a biopsy—even though calcification was present—and claimed that a young woman my age is prone to calcification. Sorry, what? I actually cried during this consultation; my heart shattered into pieces when she said those words. It felt like she didn’t want to admit that her colleague made a mistake. I went back and forth with her during the appointment, and even the female pastor tried to interject with questions, but the consultant spoke over her. It was just a mess.
Eventually, I realised the appointment wasn’t going anywhere, so I requested another biopsy. You can imagine—I didn’t trust this hospital or these results. Looking back, I was still in shock from the news I heard that evening, with all the emotions and thoughts rushing through my mind, veins, and bloodstream.
Seriously, a week before my birthday I was diagnosed with this, yet in June 2022 during my ultrasound scan I was told to leave because there was nothing to worry about it’s just calcification she said. It was a whirlwind of emotional pain, anxiety—you name it.
Anyway, the consultant granted the second biopsy. I told her I wanted someone who would take their time, and she said she would ask for a well-experienced sonographer—who, in fact, turned out to be a male doctor. I didn’t mind; I just didn’t want someone who was rough. After the appointment, I walked home, as the hospital wasn’t far from my house. Once I got through the communal area and was approaching my door—after climbing four or five flights of stairs—I started to pray, but with rage in my heart, asking God, “What is this, seriously?”
I pleaded with God to ensure that by the time of the next biopsy appointment, this diagnosis would have disappeared, and that He and His angels would go before me and be present during the appointment.
When I got home, I put on a different coat (and one for my dog) and walked her for 10 to 15 minutes in silence. My Dog’s name is Tokyo, by the way. I then walked through the dark streets of South London feeling so numb and cold inside. I didn’t listen to any music—I just walked with Tokyo in silence. Thankfully, we got home safely. I say “thankfully” because the streets of South London can be somewhat dangerous.
Then came the biopsy appointment in November 2022. As requested, I had the most experienced sonographer—a male doctor. He asked if I wanted a chaperone ( this is a standard); I said, “If there is one, great; if not, no problem.” I can’t remember if one was present, but I do recall him being gentle: he explained the biopsy needle procedure, he prepped me to brace myself, and even asked me to help apply a bandage where he had performed the biopsy to prevent blood gushing out (if you recall from my previous appointment I had a lot of blood gushing out). Of course, he performed the ultrasound first and then the biopsy. He said something that stuck with me—the lumps didn’t look or feel as big as they appeared on the MRI. That gave me hope—maybe my prayer request was being answered—but I still had to wait for the results. After the procedure, he explained that I shouldn’t disturb the area (which was my left breast, as this was where the biopsy was done) for three days and even gave me extra plasters. He was actually nice.
So I got dressed and went home. (Oh yes—I forgot to mention that you always have to change into a hospital gown for scans and biopsies; so I changed afterward.)
I walked back home in the dark, I had gone to this appointment alone, and I left after 5PM as it was the winter season, it was very dark outside I don’t think I could feel the cold as I was already numb with anger inside.
I remember walking up the stairs in my flat’s communal area and telling myself that I was going to thunder in prayer. I said, “God is my strength. I really want a miracle. I want every lump to drop, every discharge from my left nipple to cease and to dry up, and for DCIS breast cancer to never return. I am a child of God; I am a daughter of God. Let’s see how it goes.” Then I added, “My God is bigger than cancer—He can do it. My faith and trust are in God, Jehovah Rapha (the One Who Heals), Exodus 15:26.” I believe I was saying all of this on video, filming myself.
I forgot to mention that this “thunder in prayer” comment came from joining a prayer platform called NSPPD, which was heavily promoted by someone I thought was my friend at the time.
Well, I’m going to pause here and write to you again and share with you in detail how my prayer life was back then and also what happened at my next appointment when I received the results.
Thank you for reading and tuning in on my story about DCIS Breast Cancer.
Here’s the link to my YouTube Channel please subscribe and share with others; https://youtube.com/@hervoiceherstrength
Read More: Small Breasts Matter: A Breast Cancer Dialogue On Words That Hurt
Speak to you soon, sending you love,
Warm Wishes,
Andréa Xxx 💕
Leave a comment 💕