Newly diagnosed and preparing for surgery

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sherik
sherik Member Posts: 26
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I was just diagnosed with DCIS, pretty dispersed within my right breast - low grade to high grade. Plan is for single mastectomy. BRCA testing was all negative. Of coure awaiting post surgery pathology reports, but hopeful that this will be it for me and I can look back and say - yeah that happened. Just wanting to connect with others. My surgery is planned for Sept 24th. I love my breast surgeon, but my plastic surgeon has a less than lovable bedside manner. Hoping all will go well.
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  • phoenixrising
    phoenixrising Member Posts: 1,508
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    Welcome Sherik! So sorry
    Welcome Sherik! So sorry you are experiencing this but we are glad to have you join us.
    The ladies here are wonderful and will help you through this journey. Sept 24th isn't too far off....are you nervous/?? I was terrified!! But that was almost 3 1/2yrs ago since I had my mastectomy. I hope your plastic surgeon makes up in surgical skills what he lacks in personality :) We look forward to hearing more from you and wish you all the best.

    hugs
    jan
  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member
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    Hi
    Hi Sherik and welcome. I am new here too. You will love this board. Everyone is very supportive and kind. I am in radiation treatments now. I had a lumpectomy first and now doing rads. I was never really that scared. I just wanted to get rid of the bc, get treated and move on with a good life!

    Your pathology report will determine your treatment plan. Did they take some lymph nodes to check? You didn't say.

    Just want to say good luck to you and keep us updated on you.

    Sue :)
  • lanie940
    lanie940 Member Posts: 490 Member
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    My best friend I grew up
    My best friend I grew up with had your same DX. She had an immediate Tram Flap reconstruction. She did have trouble with infection in her abdomen, she had a lot of excess fat there, that's why she thought there was more to heal, but the breast was fine. Everybody is different, my friend was/still is quite heavy. But the good thing is that she had this 11 yrs ago, and has had no re-occurrance of cancer. She never had chemo or RADS either, nor hormone treatment. She did tell me she had that hormone replacement pill (premarin) she took for a year or more, she thinks maybe it caused her cancer, the jury is still out on that. I myself refused to take it when I was hitting menepause. Seriously, I think Dr.s who prescribed it for their patients feel it's only a possibility, to CYA thenselves. But now the info is saying there is a slight risk of breast cancer. Geez, wouldn't want to hurt the dang drug companies now would we?
  • Tux
    Tux Member Posts: 544
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    Welcome, Sherik. I am sorry
    Welcome, Sherik. I am sorry to hear of your dx, but it sounds like you have a good surgeon.
    I only had 6 days to wait between dx & surgery, so I had very little time to worry about it. I am currently in radiation - with only 9 days to go! I wish you the very best. CHeck back often & keep us posted.

    Hugs & prayers sent your way....
  • cats_toy
    cats_toy Member Posts: 1,462 Member
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    welcome Sherik
    hope all goes well with the surgery, it is always good to like your surgeons, but if they lose something in the "caring" area, just make sure you are well satisfied with the qualificiations as that is the important part.
    Let us know how it goes
    Cat
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
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    Welcome
    You will find this site a warm place full of advice and support. xoxoxoxo Lynn
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
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    lynn1950 said:

    Welcome
    You will find this site a warm place full of advice and support. xoxoxoxo Lynn

    Hi! I just want to wish you
    Hi! I just want to wish you good luck with your surgery! I will be praying for you!
  • Wolfi
    Wolfi Member Posts: 425
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    Welcome
    Since you mentioned a plastic surgeon I'm assuming you are planning immediate reconstruction following mastectomy. Are you going for a flap reconstruction or implants? You don't have to answer, I was just wondering since you didn't specify.

    I just had a bilateral mastectomy last week without reconstruction. I did meet with two plastic surgeons before making my decision (one specialized in tram flap and the other in implants). I was scheduled for an implant but ended up not feeling comfortable with the implant plastic surgeon - plus I felt like he rushed me into making a decision on the day I met with him (before I had researched it all myself). I am happy with my decision and know that each person is different.

    I wish you luck on your surgery and hope everything turns out well for you. Keep reading and posting here - everyone is VERY helpful, supportive and encouraging. I hope Sept 24th comes quickly for you.
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
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    Welcome Sherik! So sorry
    Welcome Sherik! So sorry you are experiencing this but we are glad to have you join us.
    The ladies here are wonderful and will help you through this journey. Sept 24th isn't too far off....are you nervous/?? I was terrified!! But that was almost 3 1/2yrs ago since I had my mastectomy. I hope your plastic surgeon makes up in surgical skills what he lacks in personality :) We look forward to hearing more from you and wish you all the best.

    hugs
    jan

    Just want to welcome you
    Just want to welcome you Sherik! The bc survivors here will walk you thru your journey with bc. They are here to support and help you. I wish you good luck!

    Kylez ♥
  • sherik
    sherik Member Posts: 26
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    Ritzy said:

    Hi
    Hi Sherik and welcome. I am new here too. You will love this board. Everyone is very supportive and kind. I am in radiation treatments now. I had a lumpectomy first and now doing rads. I was never really that scared. I just wanted to get rid of the bc, get treated and move on with a good life!

    Your pathology report will determine your treatment plan. Did they take some lymph nodes to check? You didn't say.

    Just want to say good luck to you and keep us updated on you.

    Sue :)

    Sue
    thanks for your note. I

    Sue
    thanks for your note. I hope rads are going ok for you. Just keep counting down the days. I know what you mean about just wanting to get rid of it and move on with life. There is so much waiting. I haven't had the sentinal node biopsy yet - they'll do it when I have my mastectomy. I keep telling myself that the DCIS is all that I have. I'm hoping there is nothing to find in the SNB and final pathology report and I can look back and say - well that happened. It's hard to not know - so many stages of knowing and then seeing one more door ahead that isn't open yet and you don't know what is behind it. Trying to be strong and optimistic though.
    Sheri
  • sherik
    sherik Member Posts: 26
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    Wolfi said:

    Welcome
    Since you mentioned a plastic surgeon I'm assuming you are planning immediate reconstruction following mastectomy. Are you going for a flap reconstruction or implants? You don't have to answer, I was just wondering since you didn't specify.

    I just had a bilateral mastectomy last week without reconstruction. I did meet with two plastic surgeons before making my decision (one specialized in tram flap and the other in implants). I was scheduled for an implant but ended up not feeling comfortable with the implant plastic surgeon - plus I felt like he rushed me into making a decision on the day I met with him (before I had researched it all myself). I am happy with my decision and know that each person is different.

    I wish you luck on your surgery and hope everything turns out well for you. Keep reading and posting here - everyone is VERY helpful, supportive and encouraging. I hope Sept 24th comes quickly for you.

    thanks to all for your posts!
    I'm planning on immediate reconstruction but a slow process of baloon then implant then nipple reconstruction. I'm not a good candidate for flap reconstruction as I'm pretty lean. I know what you mean re plastic surgeons. An MD friend of mine said that plastic surgeons overall (of course a generalization) tended to be on the more narcissistic and arrogant end of the spectrum. My first meeting with my plastic surgeon was really chaotic as my nanny was on vacation and my husband and I had my 16 mo. old son with us. I felt rushed out of the office and I had to fight to get another appt prior to my pre-op appt. Hopefully this next appt scheduled for Tuesday will be better. My oncologists have reassured me that I can take all the time I want in making these decisions. Good for you for following your gut - it's so important to feel comfortable with all of this. Docs see this every day - it's a shame that some of them may forget the individual impact this has on the lives of those living with and surviving cancer.
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
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    SHERIK .. Welcome to the most wonderful, honest and loving
    board. We cry, vent and laugh together, but most importantly ..we share our research & experiences. We are warriors against breast cancer. Here for all 24/7 ..

    Keep us posted ..

    Peace and Strength,

    Vicki Sam
  • djteach
    djteach Member Posts: 273
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    Welcome, sherik,
    I'm sorry

    Welcome, sherik,

    I'm sorry you are having to deal with this, but I'm glad you're here. Your positive and upbeat attitude will help you get through this. You will be in my thoughts and prayers, especially on surgery day. I hope all reports, like lymph nodes are negative! I do have to say that the baby in your picture is absolutely adorable! What a great reason to have that positive attitude. Let us know how things go!

    Love and gentle hugs,
    Donna
  • Dawne.Hope
    Dawne.Hope Member Posts: 823
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    Hi Sherik! I'm newly
    Hi Sherik! I'm newly diagnosed with DCIS too. Just found this discussion board and signed up today. Had a series of mammograms this summer which showed calcifications and they went in to take a biopsy and it was DCIS.

    You're ahead of me ... I haven't had the BRCA testing yet or an MRI. So ... I'm not sure what I'm going to need to do with a masectomy. But my mother and my grandmother have both had breast cancer, so I'm leaning toward a double. But we'll see.

    Hang in there. I've been blessed and encouraged by what I've found on here ... it is so comforting to know that you're not alone. And we're not! Hang in there. Best wishes!
  • tommaseena
    tommaseena Member Posts: 1,769
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    Hi Sherik! I'm newly
    Hi Sherik! I'm newly diagnosed with DCIS too. Just found this discussion board and signed up today. Had a series of mammograms this summer which showed calcifications and they went in to take a biopsy and it was DCIS.

    You're ahead of me ... I haven't had the BRCA testing yet or an MRI. So ... I'm not sure what I'm going to need to do with a masectomy. But my mother and my grandmother have both had breast cancer, so I'm leaning toward a double. But we'll see.

    Hang in there. I've been blessed and encouraged by what I've found on here ... it is so comforting to know that you're not alone. And we're not! Hang in there. Best wishes!

    Welcome Serik and Dawne.Hope
    Welcome to both of you.
    This site is filled with experiences, hopes and dreams.
    Come here anytime.

    Hugs,
    Margo
  • traceyt
    traceyt Member Posts: 77
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    Hi Sherik! I'm newly
    Hi Sherik! I'm newly diagnosed with DCIS too. Just found this discussion board and signed up today. Had a series of mammograms this summer which showed calcifications and they went in to take a biopsy and it was DCIS.

    You're ahead of me ... I haven't had the BRCA testing yet or an MRI. So ... I'm not sure what I'm going to need to do with a masectomy. But my mother and my grandmother have both had breast cancer, so I'm leaning toward a double. But we'll see.

    Hang in there. I've been blessed and encouraged by what I've found on here ... it is so comforting to know that you're not alone. And we're not! Hang in there. Best wishes!

    Welcome Sherik & Dawne
    to this awesome group of caring compassionate ladies & a few gents too! I too was diagnosed with DCIS--I had a lumpectomy in July but they werent able to get good margin so I will be going in on Tuesday for a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction via tissue expanders--I have learned the choices we make are very personal ones, we all have our reasons why and as long as we are at peace with our decisions we can rest easy that they are the right ones for US as individuals.
    We are all here with you on this journey, post as often as you like.
    ((hugs)) & prayers
    Traceyt
  • MyTurnNow
    MyTurnNow Member Posts: 2,686 Member
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    Welcome Sherik and Dawne
    Welcome ladies. You've found the perfect board for information and experience from other bc survivors. Any questions you have, just ask and more than likely there is someone here to share their similar experience. This is a wonderful group of very warm and supportive individuals. I'm so glad I found it too!!
  • Dawne.Hope
    Dawne.Hope Member Posts: 823
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    traceyt said:

    Welcome Sherik & Dawne
    to this awesome group of caring compassionate ladies & a few gents too! I too was diagnosed with DCIS--I had a lumpectomy in July but they werent able to get good margin so I will be going in on Tuesday for a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction via tissue expanders--I have learned the choices we make are very personal ones, we all have our reasons why and as long as we are at peace with our decisions we can rest easy that they are the right ones for US as individuals.
    We are all here with you on this journey, post as often as you like.
    ((hugs)) & prayers
    Traceyt

    Thank you!
    I'll be thinking about you on Tuesday. Hope it goes well. Will look for updates.

    Hugs and Prayers back at ya! ;)
    d.h
  • LauraLL
    LauraLL Member Posts: 9
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    traceyt said:

    Welcome Sherik & Dawne
    to this awesome group of caring compassionate ladies & a few gents too! I too was diagnosed with DCIS--I had a lumpectomy in July but they werent able to get good margin so I will be going in on Tuesday for a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction via tissue expanders--I have learned the choices we make are very personal ones, we all have our reasons why and as long as we are at peace with our decisions we can rest easy that they are the right ones for US as individuals.
    We are all here with you on this journey, post as often as you like.
    ((hugs)) & prayers
    Traceyt

    Good luck
    Traceyt
    I am new to this site but will soon be doing what you are doing Tuesday. I'll certainly keep you in my prayers.
  • mlmjt1
    mlmjt1 Member Posts: 537
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    Welcome Sherik
    Just wanted to welcome you to the boards. I was diagnosed with DCIS too in the right breast. I chose bilateral mastectomies since I have fibrocystic breast disease and didnt want to think about the left. I am in the middle of chemo, actually a little past the middle. If you have to do radiation or chemo, it is do able just not much fun.

    Post often...we are all here for you anytime for any reason

    Hugs
    Linda T