Martina Navritilova. DCIS

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pickle
pickle Member Posts: 1,409
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
Martina Navritilova. DCIS
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  • pickle
    pickle Member Posts: 1,409
    edited September 2010

    I just saw an interview on CNN about Martina Navritilova  who spoke about her BC cancer diagnosis and her journey through DCIS. I must confess that I wasn't clear on a DCIS diagnosis because I am stage 2 ...so that has been the main focus on my journey. Navritilova refers to her diagnosis as her personal 9/11...it was devastating news for her.  I just wanted to say that for all you ladies who are struggling with DCIS and are unsure where it all fits into the BC world...this woman has validated your fears, your emotional roller coaster, your concerns, worries etc. She is speaking out publicly in order to get other women to make sure they get their mammograms and checkups because early detection is so important but at the same time she also speaks publicly about her fears, her treatment etc.  Ladies with DCIS...you are all brave warriors and are faced with big decsions like all of us who have a cancer diagnosis. Yes, certainly different stages have different things to deal with but this in no way should make your feelings any less worthy. The reason I am writing this is that I saw some posts from women whom have been diagnosed with DCIS and yet they are finding that people don't think of it as a BC diagnosis. I saw a topic titled "Confused...Where do I fit in?" You all fit in right here at BC.Org. You have BC and I don't think the emotional impact of it should be minimized. Your feelings, fears, worries are all valid. I just wanted you to know that there are many women in your corner...rooting for you.

    Hugs to all

    Beth P

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  • mom3band1g
    mom3band1g Member Posts: 817
    edited September 2010

    wow.  Thank you Beth. 

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2010

    Beth- I saw your post on another thread but also wanted to comment on it here.  I think it is wonderful that you are supporting DCIS women even though your DX was IDC.  I think a lot of women with DCIS, like me, do struggle to figure out where they fit in.  I think the biggest "fall out" from BC is the permanent uncertainty of whether or not it will come back and that is something we all share and understand.  Your life is forever changed so thanks for being in our corner!  It means a lot!

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  • squidwitch42
    squidwitch42 Member Posts: 2,228
    edited September 2010

    lovely post!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2010

    Here's the link for Martina's video.  Thanks, again, for sharing with us, Beth!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MAemNGPHFA 

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  • DiDel
    DiDel Member Posts: 1,329
    edited September 2010

    Beth

    Nice post! I have read many things regarding statistics where some will mention the same thing should it or shouldn't it be classified as BC. Some say it shouldn't be included because it skews the statistics. Which is such BULL$HIT! Someone with DCIS has the same treatment and major surgery as IDC/ILC. It should not be minimized. I think those are the people that just don't want to face the reality of the statistics for BC. It's like here in Baltimore, there is a debate about how crimes should be classified. If someone is shot and survives it become Assault vs attempted murder, despite intent. Or if someone is shot and dies days later it becomes manslaughter instead of murder and next thing you know the mayor is boasting the lower murder rates in Baltimore. BUT those who live it know better!

    Diane

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  • 3monstmama
    3monstmama Member Posts: 1,447
    edited September 2010

    Thanks for posting this!  I am reading this post at a particularly appropriate time having spent the morning dealing with a supervisor complaining about my productivity in the last 10 months particularly during rads.  Back at the beginning, I thought he got but when he said "but you are cured," in our conversation today, I knew we were on a different pages and different comprehensions of the impact of cancer on ones life.

    I hate thinking "I guess if someone in your family circle was diagnoised with cancer, maybe you would get it better," because it feels like wishing ill on someone but still. . . .what happened to empathy?

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  • speech529
    speech529 Member Posts: 337
    edited September 2010

    Beth--thanks for your words.  DCIS threw me for a loop--it was confusing to hear "It's not really cancer" but you will need radiation. Or maybe a mastectomy.    And by all means, you don't want to leave it in there!  But don't worry, there's no rush.  Huh?

    I saw an oncologist who told me that Ductal Carcinoma meant "cancer of the ducts" and In Situ meant "just kidding". This was a month after I had a uni MX.  Then he proceeded to tell me I needed to go on Evista.  I was so dizzy when I walked out of there!  

    Needless to say I am getting a 2nd opinion.

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  • almagetty
    almagetty Member Posts: 316
    edited September 2010

    What an idiot that doctor is, speech!!! I can't believe he was so callous about it.

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  • DMS
    DMS Member Posts: 51
    edited September 2010
    Pickle141 Thank you for your post and others who have expressed how I feel. Have had lumpectomy, started Rads and will need to take Tomaxifen for DCIS Stage 0/ high grade.  Drives me crazy when someone tells me what I have is just pre-cancer.  Grrrr.
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2010

    speech- Wow!  What an a**!  Wish there was a way for us to post a boycott list for jerks like that. 

    DMS-  I agree!  They told me I had "pre-cancer" which I had removed.  My pathology report came back and my BS said there was actual cancer in the margins- DCIS.  So DCIS is definitely not pre-cancer.  

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  • MrsNice
    MrsNice Member Posts: 258
    edited September 2010

    Wow.  It's not like there's "pre-chemo", or "pre-surgery", or how about "pre-radiation"?   I don't like the words "just" and "only" that some people preface DCIS with either.

    When I was first diagnosed, the "pre-cancer" moniker gave me some excitement that maybe I wouldn't be facing radical surgery or chemo.  That was false excitement, since my final pathology came back with IDC as well as DCIS.  Softening the blow with semantics helps no one.

    Thanks for sharing, Beth.

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