Just diagnosed with DCIS and surgery Friday

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againmine41
againmine41 Member Posts: 81

I was just diagnosed with DCIS on the 22nd of June and my surgery to remove is on Friday. I am concerned, no scared, of what they may find once they go in since I lost my Mother to breast cancer in 1982. I am 52 years old. I had a stereotactic  biopsy June 14th and I am still very bruised and sore from it. The incision site is still not healing. I know I have a lot going on in this message, I just want to hear what others have dealt with.

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  • Lovegolf
    Lovegolf Member Posts: 513
    edited June 2010

    What type surgery are you having?  If lumpectomy you shoud recover fairly fast.  It was not very painful at all.  It was difficult to get sleep since I spent on right side and that is were the incision was. I had lumpectomy on a Friday and actually went in to my office the following Monday. If you any direct questions, I will be glad to answer them. Will you be doing radiation after?

    It has been over a year for me.  I did end up having Bi Mx but am doing great.  You will get through this too.  You will find you are strong than you ever knew.  

  • Lovegolf
    Lovegolf Member Posts: 513
    edited June 2010

    What type surgery are you having?  If lumpectomy you shoud recover fairly fast.  It was not very painful at all.  It was difficult to get sleep since I spent on right side and that is were the incision was. I had lumpectomy on a Friday and actually went in to my office the following Monday. If you any direct questions, I will be glad to answer them. Will you be doing radiation after?

    It has been over a year for me.  I did end up having Bi Mx but am doing great.  You will get through this too.  You will find you are strong than you ever knew.  

  • anghub
    anghub Member Posts: 45
    edited June 2010

    againmine41: I had a stereotactic biopsy back in Feb. I had a lumpectomy in May and I'm halfway through radiation Smile I was up and about a few days after surgery. I took a week off from work the week of my surgery because I also had an excisional biopsy done on the other breast at the same time as my lumpectomy. 

    Did they advise you to use colds packs on the area where you had the biopsy?

    Have they advised you to have the BRCA testing done?

    P.S. I like your signature Hebrews 11:1  Smile

  • againmine41
    againmine41 Member Posts: 81
    edited July 2010

    It's a lumpectomy of my left breast. They said they will take out what they know is cancer and some surrounding it to be sure also. I don't know how soon I start radiation only that I will. 

  • againmine41
    againmine41 Member Posts: 81
    edited July 2010

    Something new tonight! Has me scared...not just about Fridays surgery...my nipple started discharging a yellow/red clear liquid and around/under my nipple it's bruising. Has anyone had this happen? Sorry to sound like a baby...just my emotions are really on edge tonight.

  • mikita5
    mikita5 Member Posts: 373
    edited July 2010

    againmine: I also had DCIS a little over a yr ago. I had bilat mx w/immediate DIEP reconstruction. I can't help you with the discharge but I'm sure someone will come along quickly with an answer for you. This is a great site, with many caring women. You are at the right place.

    Good luck with the surgery. I hope you get good news. Like someone said-you'll see just how strong you really are. My brother keeps telling me I'm his 'hero' and the strongest person he knows. . He doesn't understand that when we're dealt something, we HAVE to get thru it. We just do! No matter what the obstacle, we have to go forward and we do what we have to do.  YOU will get thru it all too.

    Please come back and let us know the news after your surgery.

    Mega Hugs,

    Kathy

  • momtomygirls
    momtomygirls Member Posts: 119
    edited July 2010

    I was diaganosed June 2nd and my surgery is Monday.  I have the discharge from my nipple too. The Dr. said that it is a normal symptom.  I use a nursing pad in my bra so it does't leak through to my shirt.

    Try to stay positive,

    Cheryl

  • againmine41
    againmine41 Member Posts: 81
    edited July 2010

    Thank you so much for your responses, it helps me so much. 

  • KAR
    KAR Member Posts: 225
    edited July 2010

    agianmine: Good luck tomorrow with your surgery.  Sorry to hear about the discharge, I had a tiny bit, more like crusting, after my steriotactic biopsy as well as a large hematoma so I wouldn't worry too much but do share with doc.   In my case the lumpectomy was less painful than the biopsy.   Stay strong, you can do this & let us know how you do.

    Karen 

  • redsox
    redsox Member Posts: 523
    edited July 2010

    I had discharge as my initial symptom (not the same) and extensive bruising after the core biopsy.  It sounds like a side effect of the biopsy.  Tell the surgeon about it tomorrow and be careful about avoiding painkillers that can lead to bleeding.

     Good luck tomorrow!

  • parkwoodcottage
    parkwoodcottage Member Posts: 5
    edited July 2010

    Hi againmine41 -

    I was diagnosed with DCIS the same day as you.  I'm scheduled for a lumpectomy/sentinel node biopsy on Thursday (7/8).

    This board has been a great source of information.

    Good luck with your surgery!

  • wyldblumusic
    wyldblumusic Member Posts: 59
    edited July 2010

    Againmine: I hope that you're doing well after your surgery.

    Parkwood: Great blog!  Boob bag?  Jaws of life?  Hilarious...thanks for the giggle!  Best wishes for your surgery on Thursday.

  • MrsNice
    MrsNice Member Posts: 258
    edited July 2010

    Hello - Hope you are recovering comfortably after your surgery.  Have you had any results back yet?

    I had similar discharge, but it was really a fluke that I discovered it.  I started the BC journey by finding a rather large mass at the 12 o'clock position on my R breast.  My surgeon also was of the philosophy that whatever it is it doesn't belong there.  Three days before surgery to take it out, I had sharp pains shooting through my breast; after the shooting pain, I was rubbing and putting a bit of pressure on my breast and fluid came out that was definitely red.  As it turned out, the giant lump I found was B9 but the red discharge was the warning sign of cancer.  During my surgery to remove giant lump, my surgeon also removed some tissue from underneath my nipple and that's where the cancer is.  I have DCIS and an area of IDC; I go in this Thursday for a re-excision lumpectomy to hopefully get wide margins as well as a SLNB to determine if anything is spreading.  I will lose my nipple, but after the first surgery it's numb anyway.

    This is not a road any of us would choose to be on.  These boards are a wonderful place to learn, make friends, and even just vent if you need to.

  • parkwoodcottage
    parkwoodcottage Member Posts: 5
    edited July 2010

    Wyldblu, glad I could make you laugh!

    Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome.  Wink

  • Lovegolf
    Lovegolf Member Posts: 513
    edited July 2010

    Hope all going well for you....sending good thoughts your way

  • againmine41
    againmine41 Member Posts: 81
    edited July 2010

    Surgery went well. Just a bit tired from heat, housework, etc. I slept most of Friday when I came home and a good bit of Saturday. Went to church Sunday, grocery shopping Monday, and laundry today. Thats about all I have done...this heat slows me down ( been in 90's). My pathology report should be in on Thursday and I will find out about my radiation treatment as well that day.

    I must be collecting a lot of fluid in where they took so much tissue out because my breast sounds like a water balloon!  Thank you all your replies have been great!

  • againmine41
    againmine41 Member Posts: 81
    edited July 2010

    Been a up and down week since surgery. Emotions a mess. Got path report and now waiting for my radiation appointment and oncologist one as well. The waiting is so rough. 

    I pray all are doing well with their journey through this BC. 

  • Gabrielledr
    Gabrielledr Member Posts: 25
    edited July 2010

    You are not alone... I am also 52 years old and I was diagnosed with DCIS on Wed. 7 July. I have so many questions. I have signed up to attend a support group on the 15th. Doctor appointment on the 20th and surgery on the 22 July. I am in DCIS stage 0 but I was told pending final pathology. So I'm waiting on that.

    I am so confused...At first, I thought about having a mastectomy but now I'm thinking about a lumpectomy. My lab inquiry states: Lymph node sampling(no lymph nodes present), Size (extent) of DCIS: 1.6cm. Will find out from my doctor what all of this mean... Overwhelmed!

  • againmine41
    againmine41 Member Posts: 81
    edited July 2010

    This is a great site to find out about all those questions. The help of the people here, the info sites within this site, etc... has been such a blessing. 

    I think the waiting is the hardest...I want to know as much as I can and get started on my treatment so I can get on with life.

    Keep me posted and take care! 

  • JanetfromPgh
    JanetfromPgh Member Posts: 35
    edited July 2010

    Gabrielledr:

    Hi..did you find out what the lab inquiry meant?  Mine doesn't have all of that information.  :(  Did they also do an estrogen receptor test on the tumor?  Mine didn't do that either but said they will get the information from the lumpectomy.

  • MrsNice
    MrsNice Member Posts: 258
    edited July 2010

    Hi ladies - just dropping in to say Hi and wish you all several deep cleansing breaths during this waiting time.  I'm home recovering from my lumpectomy (a "Benelli" method which basically takes the nip and surrounding tissue from the center).  Armpit is still sore from the SLNB incision and breast is a bit bruised and tender but no more narcotics required.  Just taking Naprosyn.  I hate the waiting too - my followup with my surgeon isn't until Monday the 19th, so I have no new results or oncology plans yet.

  • tryn2staycalm
    tryn2staycalm Member Posts: 763
    edited July 2010

    Hi Ladies

    I've been dx with DCIS Grade 3.  Had no idea what the grade 3 meant until i read some of Beesies posts/links.  They basically tell me that it is DCIS but at high rick of becoming invasive.  Any other ladies have any personal experiences to share with same dx?  I don't know any more of the details yet.  My Lumpectomy is day after tomorrow.  They are doing it while I'm awake because it is safer ( I have other health issues along with being a insulin Dependant diabetic) and quicker as I won't need all the pre-surgery tests.  Also I my BS said I many need additional surgery when we get the pathology reports back.  Just want to get it out of me!

    Cathy

  • Gabrielledr
    Gabrielledr Member Posts: 25
    edited July 2010

    Hello Ladies and Gentlemens

    Well! I have learned a lot since 7 July, when I was first diagnosed. I was so overwhelmed but now I have a better understanding of my disease. Had a right needle localized biopsy with wire-guided localization with no lymph nodes present in my right breast. I am diagnosed with DCIS, size 1.6 cm, grade III(high), with comedo(center of the milk duct are plugged with dead cells). So blessed, that this disease(cancer) had not spread to other parts of my body.  Blessed to have doctors who took their time to go over my diagnose and explaining my disease. 

    I have made the decision to have a mastectomy tomorrow Thursday, 29 July with breast reconstruction immediately afterwards. Some might be asking why-mastectomy. It is a personal choice and I choose not to dwell on this disease for the rest of my life. I have so much inner peace that I scare myself. My favorite scripture in the bible is The 23 Psalms. The Lord is my Shepherd:When we allow God our shepherd to guide us, we have contentment and that's what I have. 

    I thank each of you for being supported and offering feedback. May God continue to bless each of you according to your needs.

  • CAROLMARIE427
    CAROLMARIE427 Member Posts: 206
    edited July 2010

    Just wanted to wish you luck tomorrow. I had two mastectomies at two different times. One for DCIS and a year later decided to do a prophylactic. I had some healing issues, but the surgeries themselves weren't nearly as horrible as I thought they would be. You are a strong woman. God's peace will be beside you tomorrow too. Keep moving forward and keep that positive attitude! Hugs!

  • Blaze10
    Blaze10 Member Posts: 2
    edited July 2010

    I was diagnosed in May with DCIS.  Had biopsy done also in two places about .5 inch from the other.  Ended up with hematoma at both sites.  That was really more painful than the surgery (June 4th)  Took 2 pain pills the first night and one the next night.  None after.  But I took more Tylenol Extra Strenghth after biopsy.  I was really worried about the surgery before I went in also.  But my experience was a good one.  I am now trying to decide on rads and tamox or rads or none at all.  I have so many things going back and forth in my mind.  I hope soon I will be able to choose and feel at ease about my decision.

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