Mastectomy Monday for DCIS

ishobie

Mastectomy Monday for DCIS

ishobie

I was dx'd with DCIS about a week and a half ago through a ultrasound guided biopsy after a mammo n ultrasound.  I had a MRI sunday and my left breast is okay.  The breast surgeon and plastic surgeon think that its all DCIS throughout my right breast, but of course they won't know till they get in and take out a sentinel node.

I am just a wreck.  I'm nervous about the surgery, nervous about the outcome.

My beloved dog of 14 years just died of a ruptured tumor and a stroke last Friday. Not sure how much more I can take.

this has to be the scariest thing I have ever had to deal with.

Isabel

hope01

Isabel,  my prayers are with you.  

AmyD

Hi Isabel,

 This is a scary and overwhelming time that I recall all too well.  I was in the same "boat" last July when I was diagnosed with DCIS which necessitated a mastectomy and SNB.  I did a lot of "talking" to a friend who listened to my fears while I was playing the waiting game for the mastectomy.  This time was the hardest part of all for me.  Use this great site to help you during this period of time---there's lots of encouragement and information here.  And lots of women who truly understand what you are dealing with.

hammer2

I agree with AmyD. I had a mastectomy last april and it was without a doubt the scariest time!! This dicussion board helped me get through a lot of my fears. Please rely on family and friends during this time as without them I don't know how I would have survived. If your insurance allows you to have home care after surgery please do it. The home health nurse got me through a lot of the uncertainty when I first came home.My prayers will be with you.

robinlbe

Isabel,  As the others have said, THIS is the worst time.  I had my BMX in January.  I was pretty much a basket case the last two weeks before it.  I was literally counting down the days I had left with "all of me".  I, too, had DCIS and my left breast was full of DCIS.  I opted to have a bilateral, though.  I didn't have a health care nurse, but my husband did a great job, and several people from my church, neighbors, and other friends brought in meals.  My children are older - at the time they were 18, 17, and 12...and so they were able to help out.  But within about three days, I was doing a lot of things for myself.  I was able to take a shower two days after surgery.

The drains are the biggest pain.  Not a literal pain, just an inconvenience.  Just wear a ribbon around your neck (like a necklace) and safety pin the drains to this.  Have an extra so you can use this in the shower, too.  Allow yourself to get extra sleep (nap!!!)  and have lots of extra pillows in your bed for when you get home.

I'm so sorry about your beloved dog.  I have only had three dogs in my lifetime - and I grieved tremendously when I lost the first two (still have the third now). 

Please do your best to relax - although I know that's easier said than done.  Do all of your favorite things.  Do NOT do your least favorite things.  Indulge yourself NOW and treat yourself to some nice things.....spoil yourself these next couple of days.  You deserve it.

If you need anything, just let me know....you can even send me a private message if there's anything specific you'd like to ask...

blessings...robin

Dazdnfused

Hi girls-You are all my first post on here!

I need to do a profile, but it won't be "official" until Monday after my oncologist/bs visit.

Isabel (and every one else-I love that this little thread is just starting...) I know this is the worst time.  Had mammo 3/22, saw tiny microcalc. Had density mammo, ultrasound on 3.25, unsure what microcals were, and other "focal" spot.  Scheduled for two biopsies; stereotatic on microcalc area; utlrasound on "focal" spot on 3/30. Results called to me on April Fools Day (ha ha) high grade DCIS comedo/necrosis on microcalc area, ultrasound area benign.  Saw bs on 4/5, ordered MRI.  MRI 4/7 (I had no idea how tough the MRI would be-I have a bad neck/arm pain and almost couldn't complete it!!)  MRI result (called to me on 4/12 showed "significant involvement of DCIS close to nipple) AND another "focal" point deeply posterior (close to chest).  Lumpectomy w snb on 4/19.  Prelimary results showed 2 node negative, 2.5cm high grade DCIS with clean margins (but still really close to nipple), the "focal" spot was a 4mm low grade IDC with clean margins, and proliferative fibrocystic changes.  This all happened in less than a month!

The reason I blab all this to you is that even though I'm slightly ahead of you with different dx, I do know you will get through it.  It is the most bizarre roller coaster I've been through.  I lost my dad less than a year ago, my mother in law had breast cancer about 10 months ago, and I have a son who has been in and out of rehab this past year.  I also know how tough it is to lose a beloved dog-they are about as family comfort as it gets and it is brutal.  And it all seems to happen so fast, you feel like you are watching it in an out of body experience.

We are at our bravest when we decide to take action in spite of the fear.  How wonderfully strong is that?!  We are on here telling our stories, supporting each other, people we don't even really know...but we know EXACTLY what you feel like.  Robin is right...sleep, comfort, TREAT YOURSELF, trying to take things one step at a time.  I'm pretty convinced I'm going forward with BMX even though I haven't talked specifically with anyone about it.  All my team- radiologists, MRI, BS-told me that I have unusually dense, fibro messed up breasts for my age and meno status:  I'm 53 and have been menopausal for over 8 years!  I suffer from all the stupid low estrogen problems; osteopenia, vaginal atrophy, high cholestrol in spite of being a runner, biker, swimmer and weight lifter.  I was blown away by my dx, I thought with my earlier meno and bone loss this wouldn't be an issue for me.  

Again, telling you this so you know that you have support!  A therapist told me one of the best things to do is envision yourself on the other side of this-cancer free, healthy, adjusted and strong.  Right now you rightfully feel fragile and you need to treat yourself with compassion!  You are in my specific prayers for Monday as are all my new friends on this board!  Hope to hear back from you in the next few days as to how you are doing. 

XXOO

Kim 

 

Lovegolf

Breathe  you will get through this.  I was there 5/1/09.  It did not hurt as much as I thought. Had DCIS in right .  There was more than realized so I am glad I made the decision I did. I also posted list on May 2010 Mx site.  I can say that a year later things are so much better. I am cancer free, had no chemo or radiation.  Drains are in the ways.  Pin them to hem of a shirt, ribbon etc to get them out of your way. You will be sleeping on your back so lots of soft pillows all around you, under your arms etc.Be kind to yourself. 

Will send positive thoughts your way Monday.  BREATHE

Irishtess

Hi Isabel!  I understand how unreal this all seems for you.  I found a mass in my left breast on February 27, and had my post-op (BMX plus node removal) meeting with my surgeon on April 27.  It's a lot to process in a short amount of time.  However, the other girls are right - you will get through this.  Don't hesitate to ask for help from the wonderful women on this site, and good luck on Monday.  You'll be in my prayers.

KAR

isabel, so sorry on the loss of your old friend and good luck to you with the mx.  I traveled this road about one year ago and I can honestly say Im fine, tough year but I'm looking forward to a year without health issues. Please let friends and family help after surgery, this was a lifesaver for me.  Best of luck to you -YOU CAN DO THIS!!!

mercurialqueen

Hi Isabel:  This is a lot to take especially if you been told all of this just 1 1/2 weeks ago.  I am in your exact position.  I had a mammogram with microcalcifications begining on April, core bx on April  16I I was diagnosed with grade 3 DCIS, on April 27 I saw the breast surgeon and told me that I have DCIS on a large areaa on my left breast and need a mastectomybut she's optimistic that it will be only DCIS.  My surgery has not been set yet, first I'm going to have a MRI that it was given to me as a choice and also a second opinion.  This feels like being dropped in the middle of a rough ocean with only a lifejacket, but I can say that I see the shore now.  With this f... illness there is always a price to pay.  I'll gladly pay it if it means getting back the rest of my life.  Come to this site often, it gave me sanity, all the women are so great. I;m sure in a few month we'll be both on this forum giving advise to other women. I don't know if you're christian, but I'll pray the same prayer that came to me an afternoon: Jesus be in my heart, Holy Spirit come to my mind and put a guardian angel in my breast to fight these cancer cells. Amen.

Maria

robbins29

Hi, I am new.  How do you keep from freaking out through all of this?  I am 42, was told on 4/20 and shown by radiologist that I had a cluster of microcalcifications on right breast, had a stereotactic biopsy this past Wed (which didn't hurt during, but hurt like crazy for next 3 days), and now I am just waiting.  It has been excruciating.  All the research I have done and posts I've read, it sounds like they are almost always cancer, even though stats are allegedly only 20%. 

dsj

80% of breast biopsies are benign.  However, women who post on this board usually fell into the 20%.  That is, the we generally represent the 20% who have cancer rather than the 80% who don't (and who don't post on this board).  When you are referred for a biopsy, your mammogram had a BIRAD rating.  If your BIRAD category was 4, then your chances of the biopsy being benign are 80%. 

When do you expect to get the results?  I got the results from my stereotactic biopsy the next day.

Anonymous

Isabel- I am hoping that your surgery went well with no complications.  I had my bilateral MX in March before I had discovered this site.  I wish I had known about it as it would have been a great help in answering all my questions that kept coming up.  If you have any, or just need support from other women who have been there, please come back and ask.  Hope you are doing well.

I am so sorry, too, about the loss of your beloved dog.  That is so painful any time but with everything else you are going through it would be even more so.  

dazdnfused-

You are definitely being tested with a lot of challenges, lately, with the loss of your Dad, your mother-in-law's diagnosis and your son's addiction issues.  My heart goes out to you!   That is almost too much to bear.  And, yet, you seem to be a very positive person.  It's amazing that in this time where most people would be asking for support you are giving it out.  I admire you and your spirit so much.

robbins29-

The waiting is the hardest and it's difficult to not expect the worst.  I really hope that you have received good news by now.  If not, please know that this is a great site for support, understanding and information and answers to all the hundreds of questions you will have.  Please keep us up to date on your status.  I wish you the best.

Kate 

robbins29

DSJ,

Thanks for the response.  I just called my Dr. and they said they should have gotten them already, but have not, and that it may be another day or so. The only BIRAD category I have seen on any paperwork was from my initial mammogram which said 0, impression was cluster of punctate calcifications in lower outer right breast.  The next day I went for the diagnostic and he showed me the magnified images and explained they were of "concern" to him, that he wanted to skip the ultrasound and do a stereotactic, which I had last Wednesday, and I've been waiting every since. After they did the biopsy, they showed me where they put the little marker, and where they removed the tissue with the cluster, and slightly below it was a lone microcalcification.  I laughed and said it looked liked they missed one, and the radiologist just looked at me and very seriously said, " that is not the one we are concerned about."   I have looked at those radiology imaging sites, and reviewed several clinical papers on diagnosing microcalcifications, and some of those that were found to be malignnant looked like mine.  My mind has been going everywhere!  Not good I know, but this waiting is terrible.

dsj

The BIRAD 0 on the screening mammogram means they can't tell and need further imaging.  That would have been the signal for the diagnostic mammogram.  I know it's hard not to go searching for information on the internet, but I really don't think you can draw conclusions from what something looks like on a radiology imaging site.  In the first place, we aren't trained to read radiographic images.  And in the second place, you can't tell from what it looks like whether it's cancer or not.  That is why they do the biopsy.  Also single calcifications are not of concern.  It's the cluster that generaly signals the possibility of DCIS.  AND even if you do have DCIS, it's not the end of the world.  DCIS is a completely treatable condition.  I know this is all cold comfort when you're waiting.  I would keep calling the doctor daily.  It's really unreasonable that you should have had to wait this long.    

ishobie

hi kate

the surgery went well although it was much more painful after than i expected. my surgeon said the SNB was negative and he felt all was DCIS non invasive, but he took two nodes for pathology.  I came home wednesday, my family left today. have a lot of friends but really miss my sister now. its a day to day process, not sure about taking this bra off, feel weird doing it to take a  real shower, even though my surgeon said its okay. Maybe I dont wanna look, not sure what it is, emotional for sure. lots of raw feelings coming up for me right now, scared, anxious, confused, lonely... very rough day but better tonite

thanks for ur thoughts

JulieL

Hang in there, Isabel. This is a tough part to get through and it is normal to have ups and downs. Your emotions will be all over the place. My mom came for 4 days to take care of me and I begged her not to leave me but she had to go. And I was 46 years old. I felt like a wimp but I wanted my mommy. I had the exact same thing you had in the exact breast and had a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction on August 11th, 2009. It's good that he took two lymph nodes. That will give you piece of mind. As you are probably finding out the drains are the worst part. I used one of my daughters thick chains from a necklace that I just put over my head. Take your pain meds and cry when you want to. My crying place was in the shower and I felt better every time I came out of there. Sometimes I'd take a shower so I could cry. Don't worry. This to will pass and you will be well on your way to recovery. I am almost 9 months out and in the beginning I never thought I'd feel good again. Keep your head up and be good to yourself. My thoughts and prayers are with you.