First DCIS, Now Back w/ADH

car

Hi, I'm back after an absence.

Though November's MRI of my mx side was clean as a whistle, my mammo and subsequent stereotactic biopsy came back w/ADH yet again. My response to the surgeon was "that's how it started last time." I'm now at Hoag in Newport w/a great team, and have an MRI scheduled for Wednesday.

I'm playing the guessing game for the holidays, and don't want to dump on family/friends who are in their "you're strong, you'll beat this" mode. I'm also thinking about what this means in terms of whether I'll be able to start the academic semester in 3 weeks.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? What was the recommendation? Wait and see? Surgery w/or w/out rads? Tamoxifen? I will say that my onc and I decided against tamoxifen after my mx, and today I came to the decision that (unless he has a very persuasive argument) I do not want to have to deal w/the side effects after the world's longest perimenopause. Today, right now, I think I'd rather opt for anything else.

So, that's it. Would appreciate any thoughts.

SJW1

Car,

My last biopsy showed atypical hyperplasia too, but I was thrilled that it wasn't DCIS or something more serious after an initial diagnosis of DCIS and a lumpectomy in 2007.

I personally think a good approach to controlling this is through a good anti-cancer diet, exercise, hormone balancing and taking DIM and other supplements such as vitaming D3, iodine and fish oil.

Hugs and happy holidays,

Sandie

car

Sandie, thanks. That's exactly where we are at. My onc suggested that I go lean and mean and modify my already healthy diet (Mediterranean) and exercise regimen in lieu of tamoxifen. I'm underweight at his suggestion (about 105 and 5'3").  I get at least 4 hours of cardio in/week and 3 Pilates classes. I'm post-menopausal as of November this year (at 56!), avoid soy in all forms, my D3 level is monitored by my onc and at an awesome level. So, it sounds like staying the course is a good option. I really appreciate it.

Happy holidays to you as well.

Cheryl R.

car

Well, now I know. The general surgeon thought he could do a lumpectomy. I had a follow-up w/my oncologist who is the best. I literally have trusted him w/my life. He leaned against the counter (I hate it when they do that) and said to forget the lumpectomy. It would mean more procedures after every mammogram, and most likely radiation, chemo, and even possibly mets. Apparently, this is what my breasts do. So he slammed me w/the suggestion of another unilateral total mastectomy.



After a few moments of being stunned, I think that I'm going to go along w/his recommendation. He contacted my incredible recon surgeon who performed a DIEP which is now my left foob. I'm pretty thin, but he's sure that the recon can do an autologous recon. I sure hope so. My appt. w/the recon surgeon is Feb. 1st--his first day back.



At least I was thinking clearly, got my dean in the loop because there's no way I can teach driving to appts. 85 miles away. I guess that my onc sees the big picture and this is the best way to go. He said my risk of recurrence would be less than 1%.