Newbie with DCIS, Mast. here I come.

Hi! Sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. Same diagnosis here (only with a microinvasion also). Had bilateral mastectomy 5 1/2 months ago. I made a very quick decision with the mastectomy because mine was Grade 3, Comedo-type. A couple of things I want to share:

I didn't think it was a big deal, the mastectomy. It was. However, I haven't thought twice really about being so aggressive! Immediately after- it was hard to look at- and I had a hard time with pain medication- after affects of everything (so many meds, hearing you have cancer, leaving babies at home wondering what happened to momma- etc.)

I thought that reconstruction, honestly, was a boob job (not that it was something I would have ever considered personally. It is NOT a boob job. You cannot feel the new breasts- and they are hard- BUT...having said that- after the initial mastectomy- the reconstruction was cake. The mastectomy was not bad after a few days- I did have lingering pain that did go away later. You should be up and about very quickly. The drains are hard to get used to- and make sure you have a seat in your shower. I won't lie- it's not easy. BUT....hearing you have DCIS- helps get you through it- SO early and such a wonderful prognosis (curable even).

I hope this helps. I worried constantly, read constantly on lymph node involvement- etc, etc. I am happy to report only 5 short months later (and way before this really) I am back to normal. A better normal- appreciating life, God, people.....and facing my mortality. It prepares you for later on in life.

 I do not know why you would need radiation or chemo- if you have pure DCIS- you will not need either. A very tiny percentage for some reason MAY have node involvement- but that is due to a misdiagnosis- and the person would have some sort of invasion involved. I got a second opinion on my tissue after the fact just to make sure I shouldn't be doing more about the microinvasion.

God bless! Go for it- get rid of that stuff. Remember after the surgery- YOU WILL RETURN TO A HAPPY STATE OF MIND. Don't panic- the first days are hard, but it will get better very quickly!

I have to agree with the well responded response from Scarlett.  I too, had two mastectomies.  One for DCIS back in Sept. 2008.  Although I was BRCA neg, a strong family history led me to the decision to have a prophylactic mastectomy in July 2009.  I have finally had my fourth surgery this past week to the exchange to final implant.  Was it an easy journey?  Definitely not.  Physically and emotionally it is not a walk in the park, but it is doable.  I cannot believe when I look back how far that I have come.  However, please do not jump the gun.  You may be able to have a lumpectomy and that may be the best choice for you.  You will not need chemo if it is pure DCIS.  I think that your head right now is all over the place.  Try to relax and do not rush into decisions.  Think about what is the right choice for you.  There are many strong women on this board. Research your options and talk to the women who are so willing to share their experiences.  One thing that I can assure you is that you will get through this.  Hugs and prayers your way in guiding you to the best decision for you. 

Beck

I had bital Mx for DCIS in right only.  Nodes were clear so I did not have to have chemo or radiation. Mx was not that bad.  You can drive yourself when drains are out.  I drove myself ( to the home of bulldog nation, Athens GA)to seminar two weeks after mx.  Sleeping on my backk was hard to get use to.  When you get close let me know.  I will send more about after care.  

DIEP is a recon method where the dr takes fat and tissue and skin (no muscle) from your abdomen and uses that to recreate your breasts.  It is a microsurgery and takes a long time (mine was 14hrs with mast and diep combined).  If you look into this type of recon, you need to make sure you go to a dr who has a lot of experience in this type of surgery.  There are not a lot of dr who can do it.

I had a skin sparing, bilateral mastectomy with immediate DIEP recon. My PS and BS worked together wonderfully to give me an amazing result.  My BS essentially cut a circle around my areola and nipple and removed them, and then removed all of my breast tissue through those holes.  My PS then used those holes to "implant" all of my tummy fat and tissue and attach all of the vessels.  The holes were then covered with a little circle of skin from my tummy.  Once my nipples are created and areolas tattoed, I should have no visible scars.

In terms of immediate recon;  my PS and BS scheduled me for the BMX and diep with sentinel node biopsy.  My PS said that if the nodes showed anything positive, then he would abort the diep and place TE instead.  That would allow me to have rads or chemo if needed and not mess up the recon.  Then after treatment was done, he could do the diep for me. 

DCIS gives you some flexibility, so make sure you research all of your options.  There are many reconstruction types available.  Not all PS can do all types, so if you find a type of recon that intrests you, keep looking for a PS until you find one that will do it.  Also, is a PS does not do a certain type of recon, a lot of times they will try to talk you out of it and talk you into their type. 

pm me if you have any other questions