My upcoming wire localization lumpectomy

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June2268
June2268 Member Posts: 1,202
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

Hello everyone diagnosed with DCIS SOLID TYPE, WITH CENTRAL NECROSIS, NUCLEAR GRADE 3/3.

This is my very first post and I have found reading what you all have to say extremely helpful and useful information.

 I am going in on Friday this week for my 1st attempt at a wire localization lumpectomy.  I am a little nervous and scared as I have read many post that the wire localization part can be painful for some and the surgery alone is not that bad....any tips as I think the wire part freaks me out the most.....also what do you find to be the recovery time?  I have 2 kids ages 9 and 6 and I am not worried about taking care of them it is that I do daycare and worry about being able to lift for a few days or weeks after surgery for the little ones I take care of.  The area of concern is a little more than 5 cm and with margins could be closer to 6 cm.....so I feel it is a rerelatively large amount and wonder how sore I am going to be......also, my post op is next week and I worry about this being more than what it is, however my MRI supposedly did not show anything other than what the mammo picked up, so I guess I am worrying for nothing........hard not to worry Frown

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  • Bless
    Bless Member Posts: 141
    edited January 2010

    June,

    I was orig diagnosed with DCIS.  I had wire guided lumpectomy in each breast.  The hospital that I went to used to wires in each breast to bracket the area to be excised.  At this particular hospital they typically inject you first with a 2% solution of lidocane before inserting the wires.  Lidocane doesn't work on me so they used nesacane 2%.  I didn't feel anything.  I understand that not all hospitals do this, so I would see if you can check or request it.  Also some use 1% which doesn't work as well.  The wires are very thin flexible wires.  In my case they inserted a hallow needle and then put the wire in through the needle and then removed the needle.  They did mamograms during this whole procedure to make sure they were placing them in the right area.  It probably took them a little less than 1/2 hour to do both breasts with the wires.  Then they covered me with gauze and brought me up to preop.  I had a very small area of concern, but went to a doctor who is known for trying to get very wide margins (which is what I wanted) so I did have a rather large bit removed.  Also my surgeon was an oncoplastic surgeon, so he moved tissue around to fill in where he took stuff out from.  I had no real pain.  And no bruising.  But I didn't try to lift anything.  From what I've heard some recommend not lifting more than 5 lbs for 6 weeks.  If you lift and twist you can scar worse. 

    I understand that each hospital is very different in regards to their procedures.  You might want to call where you are going and ask detailed questions so that you know what to expect.

    Good luck and let me know how you do...

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  • pj12
    pj12 Member Posts: 25,402
    edited January 2010

    June,

    Bless has described the process well.  It sounds awful but isn't as bad as it sounds.  Some people bruise a lot from a lumpectomy but I did not.  I felt a little wooozy for a couple days from the anesthesia.  My surgery was on Friday, I felt normal by Monday.  But my breast was tender and sore for a week.  I was able to cook and do light housework all along.  I did not try to do anything big for about a week or ten days.  Lifting small children though... that might be a problem.  I think it is standard to tell women to not lift more than 5-10 lbs.  Could you hire a young girl to come in and help for a week or two?  You just can't know in advance how your course of recovery will go.  And sometimes little ones flail about - arms, legs, head butt stuff - you would not want to catch an accidental blow to the chest.  

    Good luck and hugs,

    pam 

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  • June2268
    June2268 Member Posts: 1,202
    edited January 2010

    Thank you both for responding so quickly, I will be sure to ask how much I can lift and how soon.  I feel better hearing that it wasn't that bad.  I feel I have a pretty high threshold for pain but as the older I get I seem to get more nervous than years ago.....Did you both have to have radiation and did you have alot of side effects as well?  My husband is more nervous about the rads and would rather I just have a mastecomy.  I would like to give the lumpectomy a try before I go drastic......Can you also tell me what the HER2 is and how come I didn't find out about that from the stereotactic biopsy?  Should I inquire?

    You both are great and thanks for the quick response.....June

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  • Bless
    Bless Member Posts: 141
    edited January 2010

    June,

    Mine was a strange case.  As I said, I was orig diagnosed with DCIS.  It turned out I had LCIS in the right (which is considered a precancer and normally only monitored) and less than 1 mm of invasive lobular carcinoma in the left breast.  I opted for no rads only 6 month screening after a re-excision to get a 1 cm clear margin and a sentinel node biopsy which came back clear.  My choice is not the norm.  The standard of care would be rads and tamox.  But it was sooooo small that I'm going to wait and see. 

    Oh, did you have any trouble with your biopsy?  I had blisters from the steri strips and paper tape they used on my breast.  I told everyone at the hospital about it, so they only used surgical glue after my lumpectomy and that worked great for me!  I had no blisters and a smooth even line as an incision site (it looks so good, it doesn't seem right to call it a scar even) Laughing

    My biopsy samples and even my lumpectomy cancer was so small that they were not able to run the HER2 test.  But as I understand it some labs don't run that until after the lumpectomy.  Some do and some don't.  I know it's frustrating, because we want to learn as much as we can as quickly as we can.

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  • Nipi
    Nipi Member Posts: 38
    edited January 2010

    June,



    I had this done back in Dec. I found it to be very easy to handle. I know everyone is different, however, I did not feel ANYTHING with the wire placement. I was a little sore after the lumpsectomy, but over the counter meds worked fine. I have to do this all over again on the 20th. to get clean margins, and if all goes well I will start the 6 weeks of radiation. I am completely freaked about doing rads. Good Luck To You.

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  • June2268
    June2268 Member Posts: 1,202
    edited January 2010
    Thank you to all you wonderful ladies that respnded.......the wire thing wasn't that bad at all in fact even the surgery wasn't bad either.  It is just the anesthia I hate I always tend to get sick yuck......They took a whopping 9+ cm out and he does not feel like he got it all.....I went from like a c-cup now to an a-cup that is a little upsetting, but at leat I am alive.  I find out Thursday as to what is what. After reading many post I feel like alot of people ended up misdiagnosed, so that will be interesting to see if my outcome stays the same......I am glad I finally joined where I can talk to others going through this, it has truly helped.....thank you all Laughing
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  • pj12
    pj12 Member Posts: 25,402
    edited January 2010

    Good AM, June.

    Radiation seemed very stressful to me but all of this is relative.  For the women who have had chemo, most of them think rads was a breeze.  You can do it!

    Which breast is involved?  There is less risk to your heart if the radiation is done on the right breast. But modern equipment and techniques do make the process safer for heart and lungs.  Some women with a history of asthma say radiation affected their asthma problems.  You should feel like your facility is up to date in equipment and personnel.  I visited two hospitals before deciding where to go,  Also I asked how long people had been on staff, especially the dosimetrist who does a lot of the calculations prior to TX.  

    If you have far to travel the daily commitment is a pain.  There are shorter courses of radiation but I was satisfied to have the standard 36 sessions.  I had some skin irritation late in the series but it healed quickly after radiation ended. I was a little tired and went to bed earlier than usual but managed  quite well.  I was not, however, babysitting little ones!  That might have been hard.

    All in all I am now very glad I chose lumpectomy and radiation.  If I have a recurrence I can always take the next step then.  I'm not positive about this but I think insurance is required to offer reconstructive breast surgery (like augmentation) if you need it.  You might post in a site like Surgery and Reconstruction to see if that is indicated and possible.

    Are you going back to surgery for clear margins? You did say your surgeon did not feel he got it all.  Wishing you good luck.  Gentle hugs.

    If you are trying to save up your 5 posts a day, you may private message me with other questions. right corner of the black band at top of page.

    pam 

    pam 

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  • sweatyspice
    sweatyspice Member Posts: 922
    edited January 2010

    At the moment (unless I change my mind), I'm scheduled to have a double lumpectomy (w/wire insertion) combined with a breast lift/reduction.  Because it will be a long surgery, I'm having general anesthesia.

    The wire insertion freaks me out. I was thinking of asking for a Valium or Xanax or something for it, but since I'd be having general anesthesia shortly afterward is that a dumbass idea?  Should I just prepare to deal with them sticking wires in my breast stone cold sober?

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  • pj12
    pj12 Member Posts: 25,402
    edited January 2010

    sweatyspice,

    If your surgeon is ok with it I think it would help.  Are you also having sentinel node biopsies?  That adds another layer of distress.  I did not have any sedative beforehand and think I would have like it better.  It's not being a whimp... it is taking advantage of modern medicine!

    Best wishes.  You'll do fine!

    pam

    love your name! 

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  • June2268
    June2268 Member Posts: 1,202
    edited January 2010

    I honestly was REALLY freaked out about the wire insertion and not afraid of the overall surgery....My Dr. gave me atavan and I didn't feel any less anxious in fact i cried when I got into the room before the actual process even started......not sure why, but I did....the actual pocedure was much less painless than the stereotactic procedure, really I kid you not, do not let anyone freak you out....they are the smallest of wires and it was realatively quick and pain free.....Good luck to you and let me know what your thought were and if all went well.!  June

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  • Wizzy
    Wizzy Member Posts: 22
    edited January 2010

    I'm still deciding between localized lumpectomy with sentinel node biopsy and radiation OR mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. I had 2 surgerys for DCIS about 18months ago & was offered the mastectomy then but, on the strength of 2 clear MRIs & the opinion of 3 consultants, opted for the watch and wait route. I now have a 7mm mucinous carcinoma which I'm told has the best prognosis. I assumed the mastectomy would be my only option so was surprised when they offered lumpectomy. He said that he felt either choice would be appropriate and effective and that, if he thought I was at major risk he would be pushing towards mastectomy- but isnt.

    My fear is more about side effects than recurrence because they tell me both options are equal in that respect.

    Its helpful to read other peoples experience with both. Thanks everyone, be well.

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  • June2268
    June2268 Member Posts: 1,202
    edited January 2010

    Hi Pam,

    It is my left breast and I am not sure about the margins I will find that out on Thursday of this week.....he was only supposed to take about 5-6 cm and ended up taking over 9 cm so I am not sure how much is left to actually take so it is a wait and see game which I am getting so tired of doing, I am sure everyone must feel this way!  Waiting is the hardest part for me.....I also feel like you I am happy to have chosen to save what I can and if I do not have a  choice going forward then so be it, take the whole thing...but I at least want to try this way first......How big of an area did you have removed when you had yours done?  I am scared about the radiation and have heard alot of mixed reviews but you brought up alot of good points so I will remember that going forward.  There is supposed to be several places within 10 minutes from here so I will be sure to check them  all out and try and pick the best place.  I am also anxious to get my pathology report back to see what it has to say.  I feel like alot of people diagnosed with DCIS end up with a different diagnosis later on.......I guess that is all normal I just hope and pray that this all goes away real soon, I want it over already.....I cannot evenimagine having to be this lopsided through the whole summer until they can do reconstructive surgery.  I know there is so much out there where I am sure I can fit something into my bra, but gosh I just want my body back to what it used to be......It seems you have had a long run at this also......thank you again, I love being able to connect with other women out there, this is awesome!   My friends are all so good to me, but no-one really knows all the trauma that goes along with having this.

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