DCIS

Watercolor
Watercolor Member Posts: 45
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
In November of '02 I was diagnosed with DCIS. Emotionally it was a rough two or three months. Physically, no biggie. Lumpectomy with good enough margins. Thirty-three radiation treatments. (Last treatment was one year ago today.) Had very easy time with radiation. Very little side effects from it. Have been on Tamoxifen for the first of five years.

I thought that DCIS was simply a tumor that was still encapsulated in the milk duct, but I guess it can be more (worse) than simply that. That is all mine was.

Ninety-nine percent of the time I'm not worried about the future, but every once in a while....

I'd like to hear others' experiences with DCIS, but admittedly -- only the positive experiences. Anyone else have an easy time of it -- except for how cancer messes with your mind. How long has it been since your diagnosis and treatment? How are you doing?

Comments

  • tlmac
    tlmac Member Posts: 272 Member
    #2
    My cancer hit stage II before we caught it but the Reach to Recovery volunteer who visited me in the hospital following surgery last February, and has since become a good friend, had DCIS 15 years ago. She opted for a mastectomy with reconstruction and 6 months of CMF. We've come such a long way since then. Tamoxifen wasn't even approved by the FDA till the late 1990s. I recently read an online article on the Imaginis website that said there's a near 100% survival rate among DCIS patients today. Good luck!
  • Twinks56
    Twinks56 Member Posts: 37
    #3
    I just celebrated one year on the sixith of this month.I had the same type as you.I did not have any rads,but went threw 6 rounds of CMF.I am taking tamoxifin and feeling really good.It has been three weeks ago that they took out my port.I had a full mastectomy.I need a mammogram in April and if it comes back clean then I can go back to having yearly ones.I have not as yet had reconstuction.They started the process but the expander had to be removed due to infection.Hope this helps.Teresa aka Twinks 56
  • Sophlm
    Sophlm Member Posts: 3
    #4
    I could have written your letter. I was diagnosed with DCIS in Sept. 02. Had a lumpectomy with clear margins. 33 radiation treatments. Everything went very well. No further treatment. I too feel very well most of the time. Occasionally, I can't help thinking gloomy thoughts and feeling alone. Especially when I am waiting for the latest mammogram report, as I am now. I am very grateful to be a 1 year 5 month breast cancer survivor. This group has been a great help. Good luck.
  • cruf
    cruf Member Posts: 908
    #5
    Hi! I was Dx. with DCIS in July of 2000. I was an emotional wreck losing 20 lbs. before surgery just from fear. I had myself dead and buried! I had a lumpectomy but found that the margins were not clear so I chose a mastectomy with immediate Tram Flap reconstruction. I had that surgery on Sept. 11,2000. I woke up from that surgery alive and feeling I had the weight of the world lifted from my shoulders. The recovery went without any problems. I was back at work in 7 weeks as well as back on the tennis court at the same time. I have been on Tamoxifen for 3.5 years and have the usual hot flashes . I have dealt with this very well. I am very open about my experiences. I have participated in the Relay for Life for 3 years as well as Volunteered at a few other ACS events. It seems that that has been very helpful! Do I worry about recurrances. Yes, but I try not to get myself too nuts. I think it will always be on my mind, I just have to deal with it as best I can. Feel free to e-mail me at any time. I would love to chat with you. HUGS!! Cathy By the way, I'm 52.
  • Marti53
    Marti53 Member Posts: 1
    #6
    I too was diagnosed with DCIS in 1995. Five lumpectomies later and 7 weeks of radiation, I'm also on tomoxifin, at least for another year. I've just been laid off, now I have two things to worry about in my future. But I am a believer of the Lord. I've felt by having God and spirituality in my life has helped to survive anything. Good luck Watercolor.

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