IDC And DCIS - just found out today

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jeanwash
jeanwash Member Posts: 65
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

My results from core biopsy are DCIS and IDC cluster microcalcifications over 7.5cm area.  Said grade II for both.  I am going to talk to breast surgeon tomorrow.   HAs anyone gone straight to surgery within 1 week of dx?  I do not think I can wait.

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  • cherneski
    cherneski Member Posts: 726
    edited May 2010

    Jean I am so sorry you are here.  But you found a great support system, without this board I would have been committed.  I cant answer your questions but I wanted to welcome you and let you know others with more knowledge will be along soon to help.  I waited about a month.  Try to just breath.  I know not easy to do.

    Hugs Deb

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  • Kandy
    Kandy Member Posts: 1,461
    edited May 2010

     So sorry to hear that you had to join our group. This site has alot of support and valuable information for you. It took me 7 wks from the time I was diagnosed to make it to surgery. I was like you and just wanted it out but there was alot of test that had to be done before surgery was considered. Also, typically the surgeons are running on a booked schedule and they do not consider the breast an emergency case. Definitely the hardest part of the treatment was the waiting to get to surgery. You hang in there and we will all be here to support you through your journey.

                                                                                                   Kandie

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  • redsox
    redsox Member Posts: 523
    edited May 2010

    I had a lumpectomy about 3.5 weeks after the excisional biopsy.  It would be hard to do it any faster than that for reasons already stated -- the surgeon is not likely to have an imminent opening in his/her schedule and will probably want to do further tests.  They want to have as good an idea as possible of what they are dealing with.

    It is very natural to just WANT THIS THING OUT NOW!!!!, but I really think you are better off if you take some time to investigate and consider the treatment options and perhaps get a second opinion.  After the initial shock passes you are likely to wish you had.

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  • jeanwash
    jeanwash Member Posts: 65
    edited May 2010

    All,  Thank you so very much for your replies.  I did not sleep a wink last night and even emailed my breast surgeon in the wee hours of the night.

     I had met him before biopsy as a second opinion referral.  He actually responded to me 5:00am this morning saying it may feel like an emergency but it more emotional versus medical.   He is a top surgeon in the area so I will not be able to schedule surgery until June.   Since he is the one I want I will have to wait... but I did let him know I am available if he has any cancellations.   He mentioned that I need to talk to a plastic surgeon about breast reconstruction - but quite frankly I cannot see myself ever considering any unnecessary surgery at this time.  I am 46 I am pretty confident that I can live very well without breasts.  I have always worn a bra 24 hours -- including sleeping in them most of the time.  Now I will just wear forms with bra at all times.  Am I minimizing the mastectomy-no reconstruction part?   I just cannot have more surgery right now in my state of mind.   If I do not have to have reconstruction surgery then I can get into bilateral surgery sooner.  

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  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited May 2010

    I am so sorry you have to be here, but this is a wonderful group of women and great support system.

    I had a mammogram 06/12, dx'd within a few days, met with the surgeon on 22nd, had bi-lat mx  on the 25th.  I had wondered if I had moved to quickly and didn't take time to think, but after all was said and done, I was glad I didn't have time to think too much and just did the surgery. I have no regrets.  My surgeon suggested I don't do recon until after I completed treatment for several reasons. The reasoning was that we were moving quickly because of the aggressive nature of the tumors and he thought I wouldn't be in the right emotional frame of mind. After I was healed and completed treatment I could take the time to look for the right PS and the right type of surgery.  I am glad I didn't throw recon it into the mix and am now taking the time to heal and will have the surgery when I'm ready - right now I need a dr break.  

    I wear my forms to work, run errands and go out - I go without them at home, working in the garden or exercising.  It really doesn't bother me at all. 

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  • NancyD
    NancyD Member Posts: 3,562
    edited May 2010

    jeanwash, the breast surgeon (BS) mentioned the plastic surgeon (PS) because if you can coordinate the recon at the same time as your initial breast surgery, you can have fantastic cosmetic results.

    I had delayed bilateral reconstruction, and although I absolutely love my new breasts, I know the cosmetic results would have been even better if I had been able to do it during the same surgery. There would have been less scarring. In fact, with some reconstructions that are done at the same time as a mastectomy, the final results have almost no visible scarring after all the finishing touches (nipples and tattoo areaolas) are added.

    What you need to do while you are waiting for the June date, is interview a couple of plastic surgeons in your area who do breast recon. Then see if a common date can be arranged with your breast surgeon. It is a little more trouble, but I would have done it if there had been a PS in my local area who did DIEP flaps.

    If you decied to go this route, you'll need a crash course on the various methods of breast construction. This site has loads of information.

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  • Irishtess
    Irishtess Member Posts: 102
    edited May 2010

    Jean:  I was dx'd on March 18 (IDC & DCIS) and had my bi-lat on April 14 (I deferred recon til after chemo & rad).  During that time, my surgeon ran add'l u/s (she wasn't happy with the one I had in early March), many biopsies, MRIs, & PET scan because she wanted as much info pre-surgery as possible.  So, I understand your desire to have the bloody things gone now, but the extra time can help you and your surgeon have as much info as possible before your surgery.  There will be days when you want to cry and other days when you feel strong and able to face this challenge, but you will get through this.

    As you can see, the ladies here are angels ~ supportive, concerned and wise.  If you need anything, let us know.  Hugs.

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  • kimber3006
    kimber3006 Member Posts: 586
    edited May 2010

    I did.  I got my biopsy results on Monday, met with the surgeon Tuesday, and had my mastectomy on Wednesday.  However, we knew the week before (from my mammogram and ultrasound) that it was cancer (or were 99% sure of it) and my family doctor wanted me to line up a surgeon so we could move quickly as soon as we had the official biopsy results because it was extremely fast growing.  So I had had several days to think over what I wanted to do and my BS had an ultrasound machine in his office, so he was able to see anything else he needed in addition to my original test results I brought on disc.  I'm happy with how quickly things went for me, but the others have a very good point in that you may really benefit from slowing down and getting more info, making sure of what you want.  We all want no regrets.

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  • jeanwash
    jeanwash Member Posts: 65
    edited May 2010

    I am so worried.  My surgeon is not available to even meet me until June 2nd.  The pathology report did not even discuss bio markers.  I have no idea how aggressive this is and the no one has even bothered to talk to me.  I have been calling the radiologist, the surgeons office.  The nurse finally called me back and told me don't worry the surgeon says that there is no difference waiting up to 3 months.  THEY DO NOT EVEN KNOW HOW AGGRESSIVE.     I think I need to change doctors.

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  • clariceak
    clariceak Member Posts: 752
    edited May 2010

    Have you thought about seeing an onc? 

    Often the perspectives are quite different between a breast surgeon and oncologist.  I saw a bs first and wasn't presented neo-adj as an option.  Too  late now, but it would have been nice to see if chemo worked.

    When was your last clean mammo?

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  • nowords
    nowords Member Posts: 423
    edited May 2010

    You can always get a second opinion...in the meantime maybe send an email to your Doctor with a list of questions as well...do you have a breast Doctor? I had a team of  docs-surgeon/oncologist/radiologist/plastics and breast Doctor. I went to the Mayo for my second opinion and that is where I was treated. Set up an appointment, write down all of your questions and have someone go with you...to be a second set of ears. The Grade is the aggressiveness...grade 1 is slower, then 2 and 3 ...It takes several days to find out the ER PR and HER 2 Stats after biopsy. Some of the pathology and treatment is decided after surgery 

    I was 50 at diagnosis - and had to have radiation so needed to wait on reconstruction. Initially I was too overwhelmed to think about reconstruction but I knew if I had it I would do the DIEP.  The surgeon may do a tighter cleaner scar if you do not want any recon. I am glad that I told the surgeon I was thinking of DIEP. Now that I am a year out from diagnosis, and having read the threads about the women who were very happy that they decided to do it...I am looking into it. At first I thought I did not want to waste time in surgery and recovery, but I do not like the inconvenience of the heavy fake boob on one side...

    Take a breath....don't google like crazy and scare yourself....do anything to distract yourself until you get more answers...movies, shop, exercise whatever is fun to you....this is the hardest part...the waiting and not knowing. As soon as you have more info it gets better. Honest.

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  • pupfoster1
    pupfoster1 Member Posts: 1,484
    edited May 2010

    Hi Jean,

    I'm sorry to learn about your dx, but as the other ladies have said this is a great place to be.  I don't think it's uncommon to have to wait that long for surgery, I waited 7 weeks for mine, although I was NOT happy about waiting either (I think the ACS's guideline is to have surgery w/in 8 wks of dx).  The second after I found out I had BC my immediate thought was GET IT OUT OF ME NOW!!.  Mine was a lot larger than initially thought, plus I had significant lymph node involvement, so I can't help but wonder if I had gone in earlier for the surgery if it may not have gotten so far.  So peace of mind can be just as important as the medical procedure as far as I'm concerned.  And most certainly if you are near another good cancer center go get another opinion on where and WHEN to go. 
    Regarding reconstruction, that of course is a very personal decision.  I am 48 (47 at dx) and still want breasts.  I always had large dense ones before and am going to have reconstruction later.  I have expanders in now and they really have a nice form, perky and round.  I've had no trouble at all with them so far and the expansions for me have been easy. 

    Keep us posted on how you are doing,

    Sharon

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  • MoinTexas
    MoinTexas Member Posts: 30
    edited May 2010

    Jean - I was biopsied on a Tuesday (March 2008), got the results on Thursday, and had lumpectomy and complete axillary dissection the next Wednesday.  I wanted it all out asap and since the number of positive nodes was a surprise to the surgeon, compared to the tumor size, I think I did the right thing. I had been on HRT for years and I think the cancer was growing in the nodes faster every day.

     Marilyn

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