no choice remains

angielee

Hello everyone! I had my follow-up visit for my re-excision today. It took more than twice the amount of time to get the pathology back than it did the first time. I went in with a bad feeling, I excpected to hear invasive cancer was found mixed with the DCIS. That was not the case but they did find a large amount if additional DCIS. She went down to the muscle in one area and that margin isn't clean and the margin near my skin is also not clear.



I had a MRI after the first surgery and it wad clear, so to find do much additional DCIS that was not picked up on imaging means there could be more even in other areas of the breast that cannot be detected. The BS also commented she does not knowv how she would follow me over the years with this issue.



So the last option is BMX. I see the plastic surgeon next Wednesday.



And because it was so close to my skin she feels I may still need radiation even with the mastectomy.

Beesie

Sorry about your news about the margins. That stinks. I had more DCIS than what the mammo imaging showed and as a result I had dirty margins all around, so I too was in the position of having to have a MX.  Fortunately my MRI was more accurate (it showed that my breast was full of "stuff" and it turned out that it was) and because I had a clear MRI on my other breast, I opted for the UMX.  That was 7 years ago and so far, so good!  I also had close margins at the skin but in those days, it was extremely rare to give rads after a MX for DCIS.  So instead I asked my PS to remove a bit more skin at the incision line, since that was where the margin was close.

Your good news of the day is "no invasive cancer" and that is good news!

angielee

Thank you Bessie! It is very nice to hear you are seven years out and doing well!. I am nervous about the surgery and recovery but happy with my decision. I am 38 years old, I do not want any risks. I know if I opted for a third re excision knowing MRIs and mammograms can't see what's going on in my breasts I would be worried to tears over every little ache or pain. Your story makes me that much more sure!



Thank you