I'm back for round two.

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ferretmom
ferretmom Member Posts: 103
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

My history, diagnosed IDC left breast, Aug 2007. Neg nodes. Lumpectomy, rads, no chemo.

Nov 2009, nipple discharge right breast. Mammo shows large area of microcalcifications deep against the chest wall. Excisional biop with terminal duct excision. Both DCIS grade 2.

Both specimens, 4 cm and 5.2 cm had no clear margins.

Breast surgeon recomends mastectomy of R breast, she will do sentinal node biop at that time.

Her reasoning, this DCIS is in two large areas, it grew this large in 1 year, it needs to go.

I've agreed to this

She also recomends removing the L breast as a precaution even though nothing shows on the mammo. I'm undecided.

To me, this is a bit like amputating a hand so you don't break a finger.

I want to wait for the node biop, then decide.

Thoughts form those that have been there before me?

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  • Barbie7
    Barbie7 Member Posts: 386
    edited March 2010

    Ferretmom, I'm so sorry that you are having to go through this again.  I do not have any direct experience with this, (I've only had it once, and I have not had a mastectomy) but I am sure someone will be along soon.  Just wanted to give you my support. 

    Barbie

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  • MarieK
    MarieK Member Posts: 911
    edited March 2010

    I'm not sure what to tell you - I'm sorry that you are having to go through this again but if it were me I'd remove both breasts.

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  • shadow2356
    shadow2356 Member Posts: 393
    edited March 2010

    I have not had a new primary. I did BMX so that would not happen. I think the decision to remove your healthy breast is am intensely personal one. I think you will come to the decision that is right for you. When you do you will be at peace with that decision and know it is right.

    Good luck to you and I wish you strength in your fight

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  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited March 2010

    ferretmom, I'm so sorry that you are back here.  @#*& I hate when that happens!!   But the good news is that you've caught it so early, at the DCIS stage. 

    I had two large areas of DCIS too and also had no clear margins after my excisional biopsy so it was on to a mastectomy for me too.  In my case, I hadn't been diagnosed before so I had a single mastectomy only.  That was 4 years ago and I'm happy with my decision.  This is never an easy decision and for you, having been diagnosed before, it's even more difficult.  Here is a link to a thread started by someone who was in very much the same position as you.  She had the bilateral but now regrets it.  There are many others who've posted who are happy with their decision to have a bilateral so the discussion in this thread might be helpful in giving you the full perspective.

    http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/749080

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  • crapshoot
    crapshoot Member Posts: 43
    edited March 2010

    Hey Ferretmom - i too had IDC diagnosed in 2007 (september).  I had partial mastectomy (twice for clear margins), chemo, radiation and 1 year of herceptin.

     I just had a mastectomy on the same breast on Tuesday because of an area of DCIS.  My surgeon did not want to do the mastectomy.  He said another partial would be fine.  My oncologist however felt that a mastectomy would be more appropriate given that i had already had 2 surgeries.  I have thought about having the other breast removed and my surgeon said that would be overkill.  I asked his secretary how many of his patient's come back and have a healthy breast removed and she said she could only think of 1 patient that had requested the 2nd breast to be removed. 

     Having the mastectomy for me was not as bad as I thought.  I had wanted it originally.  I keep thinking if i had pushed for it I probably could have avoided the subsequent 2 surgeries. 

     I work from home and went back to work the next day.  Being self-employed means no sick benefits etc.  I am doing pretty good.  Now just waiting for the results. 

     Good luck to you.  You will make the best decision you can on the information you are given.

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  • mikita5
    mikita5 Member Posts: 373
    edited March 2010

    Hi ferretmom,

    I, too, had DCIS- one spot. I also had BRCA testing,. I was negative.  I went with bilat mx with immediate DIEP reconstruction anyhow.  When my pathology came back, I had 2 more spots of DCIS that didn't show on the mammogram. The other breast was fine-no cancer found... I do NOT regret my decision. I couldn't go thru the tests and waiting that would've come every 6 months to a yr. of checking the 'healthy' one.  Yes, I miss my breasts, but I also treasure my life...

    Think long and hard about your decision.  Research and read lots.  Make sure you're happy with whatever you decide.  I knew from the day they said 'breast cancer' what I would do, so I didn't have to struggle with my decision.. My mother died of ovarian cancer....so that's what I always worried about.  I finally had an oopherectomy. Pathology came back no cancer... Whew, I breathed such a sigh of relief, but 2 wks later, was told I had bc... Immediately, I said bilat mx... Oncologist said no....didn't need it... Hubby said no, but he'd support whatever I decided.... so decide this for yourself.. Don't let anyone else sway you either way..

    Good luck, God bless you and mega hugs coming your way.....

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  • ferretmom
    ferretmom Member Posts: 103
    edited March 2010

    Thank you all for your kind words and support.

    Hello to Layne, my October Rads friend :)

    I now have my first consult with the plastic surgeon nurses on Monday, actual appt with PS on the 18th. Learning the waiting game once again.

    My guess is my decision might depend on what kind of reconstruction I can have. I'm leaning towards the DIEP if I have enough belly fat. Never did I think eating healthy would be detrimental. LOL

     Then there is the little matter of radiated tissue

    Bessie, thank you for the link, just read all the info.

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  • kittycat
    kittycat Member Posts: 2,144
    edited March 2010

    I had DCIS and tested positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation.  I made the decision to have a bmx and would have made that decision even if I wasn't BRCA1+.  I watched my sister get dx with Stage 2 cancer 8 months prior to me and go through chemo.  I wanted to prevent any reoccurrence so I didn't ever have to go through chemo.  There are no guarantees in life, but prevention was key for me.  I had immediate reconstruction.  It was a painful process, but I am still very satisfied with my decision.  Good luck with yours. :)

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