Just diagnosed with DCIS and scared
Comments
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DCIS
I, too, was dx'ed with DCIS, with lumpectomy & rads. I would definitely get more
opinions from experts. Personally, I never had a choice on treatment. But, if I had,
the decision would have been difficult--there are pros & cons of everything! I really trust my doctors, so whatever they recommend, I am going to do it.
I know everything seems overwhelming right now, but you can get through it, so try
not to let fear of pain hold you back from deciding a course of action. (((Hugs))) and
prayers sent your way.0 -
Hard decision
Why are we so often faced with these difficult decisions???? I remind myself of once when I was a really nervous driver, to the point where it was effecting my life, and a good friend who was riding with me said (yelled) "sometimes you just have to get in the left lane, gun it, and go!!" I guess you need to gather as much info. pertaining to your personal case, say a prayer for guidence, and make a decision. If it helps, within a few weeks I was diagnosed with a rare secretory carcinoma of the breast,only treatment option was a mastectomy, I chose a double, had surgery, came home, and two weeks after being home went out to a movie with my grandson! Yes, I was in pain and uncomfortable, but in my case had no post surgery problems that could not easily be handled. I mostly rested the first week, and was uphill after that. I am small framed and didn't have much for breasts to start with, but we are still human and our breasts are part of us. We all hear about, its whats in us that makes us, but we look at ourselves in the shower everyday! I am pleased to say that I am still ok with what I see. I wear a very comfortable slightly padded sport type bra made by "Urbanology". Most people question if I even had a mastectomy, but again I was small to start with. I decided not to deal with reconsruction at this time as I am also dealing with issues from a earlier diagnosed Anal cancer and have enough on my plate. There are many people who have smoothly sailed through surgery and reconstuction and I expect you will see many positive posts. Good luck on your decision. As always,all in my prayers.0 -
Can't helpeihtak said:Hard decision
Why are we so often faced with these difficult decisions???? I remind myself of once when I was a really nervous driver, to the point where it was effecting my life, and a good friend who was riding with me said (yelled) "sometimes you just have to get in the left lane, gun it, and go!!" I guess you need to gather as much info. pertaining to your personal case, say a prayer for guidence, and make a decision. If it helps, within a few weeks I was diagnosed with a rare secretory carcinoma of the breast,only treatment option was a mastectomy, I chose a double, had surgery, came home, and two weeks after being home went out to a movie with my grandson! Yes, I was in pain and uncomfortable, but in my case had no post surgery problems that could not easily be handled. I mostly rested the first week, and was uphill after that. I am small framed and didn't have much for breasts to start with, but we are still human and our breasts are part of us. We all hear about, its whats in us that makes us, but we look at ourselves in the shower everyday! I am pleased to say that I am still ok with what I see. I wear a very comfortable slightly padded sport type bra made by "Urbanology". Most people question if I even had a mastectomy, but again I was small to start with. I decided not to deal with reconsruction at this time as I am also dealing with issues from a earlier diagnosed Anal cancer and have enough on my plate. There are many people who have smoothly sailed through surgery and reconstuction and I expect you will see many positive posts. Good luck on your decision. As always,all in my prayers.
Can't help with info on mastectomy. So many of the ladies here can do that for you. Just wanted to welcome you here (sorry we all meet you under these circumstances) and let you know we're praying for you.
Your doctor is good to guide you in making the best choice possible for you, and as we all know it is a very personal choice.
Hugs.
marge0 -
double mastectomy
I am having a double mastectomy on the 25th (wow its coming up fast) and from what I have read and from what I was told, more pain comes from tissue expanders and such, if you are doing reconstruction. (please, anyone who knows better correct me) I am not doing reconstruction either. I heard the first two weeks are the roughest, but then isn't that true of most surgeries?0 -
I know several who have had
I know several who have had surgery 3 x one after another-is that same as another lumpectomy?
so sorry you are going through this..I had DCIS (when I called my Dr he said NOT bad but not good DCIS) said call a surgeon-prior to calling I looked it up online and saw CANCER..that is how I found out...
I am very small breated but got bigger over past few years...I assume from the tamoxifen..anyone else have increase?
anyhow..I wish you the best...
Denise0 -
Mastectomy
Honey, I had a bilateral mastectomy 2 1/2 years ago after stage 2 tumor (not detected on mammo or ultrasound) left a dimple on my breast. Diagnosis was confirmed with biopsies at the dimple site. At that time, I determined that I would have the mastectomy. After further consultation with doctors, I decided to have both breasts removed (if I didn't, I would have to have yearly MRIs on the remaining breast to make sure it was healthy - and the other breast was full of fibrocyctic disease). I had a wonderful surgeon who specializes in women's health and I was very pleased with his work. In the following months, I stressed over the whole reconstruction topic and I have to say that I decided that my prosthetics continue to be my friend. This was my choice - and thanks to a very supportive husband, I have been confirmed in my choice over and over. I'll pray that you find peace in whatever choice you make. It will be the right one for you! B.0 -
Mastectomy
Honey, I had a bilateral mastectomy 2 1/2 years ago after stage 2 tumor (not detected on mammo or ultrasound) left a dimple on my breast. Diagnosis was confirmed with biopsies at the dimple site. At that time, I determined that I would have the mastectomy. After further consultation with doctors, I decided to have both breasts removed (if I didn't, I would have to have yearly MRIs on the remaining breast to make sure it was healthy - and the other breast was full of fibrocyctic disease). I had a wonderful surgeon who specializes in women's health and I was very pleased with his work. In the following months, I stressed over the whole reconstruction topic and I have to say that I decided that my prosthetics continue to be my friend. This was my choice - and thanks to a very supportive husband, I have been confirmed in my choice over and over. I'll pray that you find peace in whatever choice you make. It will be the right one for you! B.0 -
I think it helps if you get
I think it helps if you get information on all your options to make the decision. Look at the information about breast cancer here, at cancer.org (you could even call 1-800-227-2345 they are very very helpful) or at breastcancer.org. Both site have informational sections about breast cancer and discussion boards.
Also, ask your doctors lots of questions, have them give you informational books/booklets for you to look at at home. Some cancer clinics have libraries where you can borrow books. My doctors gave me lots of packets, books, booklets of information.
I had a bilateral mastectomy with no reconstruction. Finding clothes to wear is not difficult. No more difficult that finding things that fit for other body problems. I remember my first trip to the grocery store in a tee shirt. I was sooo nervous that people would notice. What I learned, was that no one looked, no one said anything, no one cared. I am one person in a big world, the world doesn't care that I don't have breasts.
As far as reconstruction, I can't help you out there.
There are positives and negatives for every treatment choice we make. Get armed with information so you can make an informed treatment plan that YOU feel comfortable with. I,personally, don't LIKE that I had cancer, and had to choose treatment plans. But it is what it is and you just keep trudging through it all and find a new normal for life. No choice for cancer is easy or without pain. Life is full of unpleasant thing and things we have to make choices about. I sent you a private message.
I wish you the best during this time.0 -
I had a bil mastectomy in
I had a bil mastectomy in July 2010 with no reconstruction and it was not as bad as i thought,i had very little pain no infection so healed fairly fast was up and about in a week but just could not do much for awhile,had lots of help from my children and grandchildren and a positive attitude which helps a lot.I wear the same cloths i wore before except no bras.Yea i did buy some pretty tank tops to wear instead.
Hugs Frankie0 -
I had a lumpectomy so Imwallace1325 said:Can't help
Can't help with info on mastectomy. So many of the ladies here can do that for you. Just wanted to welcome you here (sorry we all meet you under these circumstances) and let you know we're praying for you.
Your doctor is good to guide you in making the best choice possible for you, and as we all know it is a very personal choice.
Hugs.
marge
I had a lumpectomy so I can't be of help inre to a mastectomy. I just wanted to say hi to you and to wish you good luck.
Hugs, Jan0 -
Bilateral mastectomyFrankie Shannon said:I had a bil mastectomy in
I had a bil mastectomy in July 2010 with no reconstruction and it was not as bad as i thought,i had very little pain no infection so healed fairly fast was up and about in a week but just could not do much for awhile,had lots of help from my children and grandchildren and a positive attitude which helps a lot.I wear the same cloths i wore before except no bras.Yea i did buy some pretty tank tops to wear instead.
Hugs Frankie
I am so sorry that you are going through this. I had a bilateral mastectomy April 26, 2011 with no reconstruction. I did not want this surgery at all but I knew if I didn't have it I would die within a month. I have inflammatory breast cancer. I can honestly tell you that since I made the decision to have them both removed I have been at peace with it. Sure I worried if I would still be sexy or pretty and would my husband still see me in that light. The answer is yes. I have my prosthesis and I wear victoria secrets bras ( my moms friend sewed pockets into the cups so the prostehesis just slide right in) I still wear low cut shirts and I still feel every bit of a whole woman.
Anyway, the surgery itself wasn't so bad and I actually went home 3 hours after surgery. ( I could have stayed, but I hate hospitals & I'm a nurse lol) the thing that was and still is hard is the lymph node removal. My arm was so sore and I could barley move it. And the drains. I had 3. My moms friend sewed pockets into my pajama tops so the drains wouldn't flop around, but lots of ladies use safety pins to hold them in place. The drains usually come out in about 10 days. But you might actually get a couple out within a week. I slept in my husbands recliner sitting straight up with a pillow behind my back and around both of sides for about 4 days, then when I moved to the bed I had an army of pillows. During this time if I had to go out in public I wore a camisole that had a padded bra & I didn't put anything in the cups. Please be sure to eat even if you don't feel like it and drink lots of fluids.
Good luck with your surgery. I will pray for a speedy recovery for you.
Hugs and God Bless,
Dawne0 -
Welcome
Welcome to the site. Did not have DCIS but plenty here did. You will get the support you need.0 -
Just went thru dcis
Just went thru dcis diagnosis stage zero in Sept had lumpectomy then radiation did they explain why lumpectomy was not an option?
Mine was intermediate grade with comedo necrosis and was up against chest wall only you and your drs can make the right
decisions but i would get a second opinion just for sanity reasons prayers and support coming from this group! It is a scary and emotionsl time ... we are hete for you!0 -
Praying for you first of all
Know that you came to the right place here on the board. I was diagnosed three years ago with bc and its been a long hard road, but i am here. I was also told that i should at least remove my left breast. I was actually the same size that you are. I decided to do a double mastectomy and am so thankful that i made that decission. I had fibrocystic disease in the right breast and it was found that the tissue was changing and probably would have gone into bc on the right side too. I opted to do reconstruction with my mastectomy and they are looking great and hey, i have more now than what i started with!! I told myself that i was going to gain something out of all of this!! I just now had my nipple reconstruction part and i go to get my tattooing done next week. My plastic surgeon did an amazing job of fixing the many mistakes my first surgeon caused and now im finally starting to enjoy my new girls. I actually have clevage!! I am praying for you. I also feel like you should get as many professional experiences as possible too.
take care and god bless
laura0 -
Just wishing you good luckFrankie Shannon said:I had a bil mastectomy in
I had a bil mastectomy in July 2010 with no reconstruction and it was not as bad as i thought,i had very little pain no infection so healed fairly fast was up and about in a week but just could not do much for awhile,had lots of help from my children and grandchildren and a positive attitude which helps a lot.I wear the same cloths i wore before except no bras.Yea i did buy some pretty tank tops to wear instead.
Hugs Frankie
Just wishing you good luck in what you decide to do. Your doctor's will guide you with all of the info that they can, but, you will decide what you think is best for you.
Keep us updated,
Megan0 -
Wishing you a good luck
I had IDC stage 1 and also dcis with high grade, i choose lumpectomy because it's small tumor and i had ER n PR plus, Her neg, BRACA negative, from the first time I was diagnosed with breast ca, i haven't seen any oncology yet, but my surgeon said i probably won't need chemo,only radiation en tamoxifen. I will see oncology for the first time tomorrow to discuss next treatment.
I think before you make any decision, ask your oncology if you can get BRaCa test if you are under 50 yo and oncotype test
You just have to decide it for yourself because each person have a different opinion come to lumpectomy or mastectomy.
Also i read from one article most of the surgeon from university hospital suggest lumpectomy for small tumor, community hospital usually suggest mastectomy for the same case. also they said women from east cost prefer mastectomy and women from west coast prefer lumpectomy.
I wish you the best, this forum help me alot so come often0 -
Sending lots of prayers andsdukowitz said:Just went thru dcis
Just went thru dcis diagnosis stage zero in Sept had lumpectomy then radiation did they explain why lumpectomy was not an option?
Mine was intermediate grade with comedo necrosis and was up against chest wall only you and your drs can make the right
decisions but i would get a second opinion just for sanity reasons prayers and support coming from this group! It is a scary and emotionsl time ... we are hete for you!
Sending lots of prayers and hugs to you!0 -
Different reconstruction - no expanders
I had DCIS and due to the widespread area, I had a mastectomy with immediate tram-flap reconstruction. This was one breast only. The surgeries were painful for the first couple of weeks, but got better as time progressed. I had a nice flat stomach and the reconstructed breast looked ok.
I had a second cancer in the reconstructed breast, had a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. The breast is now smaller than the other, so I wear a prosthsis to make up the difference. I could have had further surgery to even them out, but chose not to.
Do a lot of research into your various options, get second opinions and do what you feel is best for you. Good luck.
Barb A0 -
I am, first of all, so sorrydiansmith said:Wishing you a good luck
I had IDC stage 1 and also dcis with high grade, i choose lumpectomy because it's small tumor and i had ER n PR plus, Her neg, BRACA negative, from the first time I was diagnosed with breast ca, i haven't seen any oncology yet, but my surgeon said i probably won't need chemo,only radiation en tamoxifen. I will see oncology for the first time tomorrow to discuss next treatment.
I think before you make any decision, ask your oncology if you can get BRaCa test if you are under 50 yo and oncotype test
You just have to decide it for yourself because each person have a different opinion come to lumpectomy or mastectomy.
Also i read from one article most of the surgeon from university hospital suggest lumpectomy for small tumor, community hospital usually suggest mastectomy for the same case. also they said women from east cost prefer mastectomy and women from west coast prefer lumpectomy.
I wish you the best, this forum help me alot so come often
I am, first of all, so sorry that you ever had to come to this board, but now that you are here, you have a great group of pinkies that will support and help you.
I am wishing you all the best and putting out the welcome rug for you.
Sue
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Last August the Dr. told me
Last August the Dr. told me that a mastectomy was necessary. I was nervous and wanted a lumpsectomy. I got the the mastectomy in March. It was painful but a second opinion suggested that a mastectomy would best remove the tumor.
I think any surgery carries some degree of pain. I think that the hardest part for me was adjusting and caring for the drainage tubes and bags. I was a big baby because my pain tolerance is low. I cried my way through and prayed. I'm still in recovery but experiencing better days.0
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