Hi Everyone/18 months later and OK

Options
laurakay
laurakay Member Posts: 109
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

I've been lurking around here for a while and wanted to say hello.  I've had DCIS w/1.5 mm invasive.  Had a bmx in March of 2010.  I was here all the time, and then found that reading the posts got me too nervous, so I vowed to stay off the internet searching bc topics!  I'm better now--and wanted to send a little note of hope to newbies.  I was completely driven around the bend by the diagnosis, and assumed I could never get back to my real life.  18 months later, I'm feeling great, actually really love my new breasts, and days go by without thinking of breast cancer.  I had a close margin, and was very, very worried that I should have radiation, but except for one RO who was wishy-washy (said she probably wouldn't do it if she were me), the four doctors I consulted said no.  I will admit that the choice not to do it has haunted me, and was partly why I had to quit reading the forums.  My  mother died of bc at my age (48--well, I'll be 50 next week!  Hooray!  I love birthdays now!).  All that of course came back to haunt me.  Assumed life as I'd known it was over.  But, here I am, and it's too late now to get rads.  I take all manner of supplements, Evista, Metformin (look at the studies if it interests you!), drinking four cups of green tea a day, and more beer and wine than one is supposed to drink, and I just feel...great!  You could never have convinced me that I would ever feel great again.  Beesie tried to!  Well, if it helps, I'm a testament to the fact that it might take a year or so, but you get past this!  I can say without lying that my life is better now than it was because I appreciate it more.  I've learned to say no!  My husband gave me a great ring!  My son is getting older--16--and I feel like the world is just less threatening, after having made it through one of my worst nightmares.  Thinking of all of you, and grateful to have had this forum through all that!!  xoxoxo

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • stephN
    stephN Member Posts: 284
    edited December 2011

    Thanks for such an encouraging post, laurakay!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • beacon800
    beacon800 Member Posts: 922
    edited December 2011

    Your post made me feel great.  Thank you for sharing your story!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Nel138281
    Nel138281 Member Posts: 2,124
    edited December 2011

    Love the post,

    Thank you

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited December 2011

    Thank you for your post!  As someone who is currently struggling with the rads post BMX due to close margins issue, it was nice to read your story and how you are managing the unknowns now.  Cheers!  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited December 2011

    Fantastic post Laurakay and congrats on your new perspective and enjoying your life!!! Good for you!

    --Your Mods

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NWArtLady
    NWArtLady Member Posts: 360
    edited December 2011

    Woo hoo!! Thanks for the encouraging post. I'm halfway through chemo, starting to plan for radiation and will be on herceptin for 1 year and tamoxifen/ Aromaste Inhibitors for 5 and REALLY appreciate seeing such a positive post from someone who has been through her own breast cancer struggles. Thank you! Good luck on continued success and health!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • painterly
    painterly Member Posts: 602
    edited December 2011

    Laurakay,

    Congratulations! Lovely post too.

    I feel treatments are like being caught on a battlefield. We are caught between the enemy and our own side and are bombarded with various treatments (our side) and shots from the enemy (cancer). When the tumult and fighting dies, we drag ourselves onto safe ground and must start the journey back to normalcy. So true... this experience gives us a new way of looking at life and we appreciate nature and all the little things that we didn't have time to appreciate before.

    Edited to change drugs to "treatments".

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ZTeam
    ZTeam Member Posts: 44
    edited December 2011

    Thanks for your post Laurakay. I have a similar diagnosis as you and am currently facing the radiation decision post-mastectomy. I've been worried that that a decision not to do radiation might haunt me, so it's great to read that you've gotten past it. Kudos to you!

    All the best,

    Lisa 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • julianna51
    julianna51 Member Posts: 438
    edited December 2011

    Thank you for your wonderful post.   It is so good to hear from someone with such a similar diagnosis that is doing so well.  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jenni8675309
    jenni8675309 Member Posts: 72
    edited December 2011

    Thank you so much for the post. It was just what I needed to read at this point of recovery. I just had a BMX on Nov 30th and my mind has been racing. Your story is an inspiration.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2011

    Great to read such a positive post...my BMX was one year ago tomorrow, and to make it even more "memorable" that is my birthday as well, a major day or remembrance, that's for sure! ;-)   ...and I can say I am moving forward as well.  It's a crazy ride this bc-stuff, but I've gotten to that place where it doesn't rule my life, or creep up on me in my dreams like it used to.  So glad to hear you are feeling such hope and goodness after BC, Laura - and I'm wishing the rest of you all the best too!

    ~megan

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • katiebug
    katiebug Member Posts: 45
    edited December 2011

    Thank you for sharing that, Laurakay!  I am a newbie, just meeting with my PS this Thursday to discuss reconstruction that will be done at the same time as my BMX.  Reading posts have helped and some have made me nervous, but I just remind myself that everyone's experience is different.  I'm so glad to read that you are doing so well after going through so much.  Thanks for the encouragement!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • fredntan
    fredntan Member Posts: 1,821
    edited December 2011

    thanks for the encouragement. feels to me kind of like I'm in exhile.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • karirn
    karirn Member Posts: 13
    edited December 2011

    Thanks so much for this post!!! I am going for surgery Monday and I needed a happy story!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ketch
    ketch Member Posts: 157
    edited December 2011

     I needed to read this too. Today, I just got my dx : DCIS with microfoci of invasive mammary cancer (intermediate w/ductulolbular features) (3.1 millimeters). I, too, am thinking of a bilateral MX...no idea of radiation either. Heck, I've not even studied that...Yet! I really do not want to take tamoxifen, it so weakened my aunt's bones and caused problems. I would readily take the radiation, if needed to avoid the tamoxifen if possible.

    Might be a dumb question: do you get the BMX then do radiation. or do the radiation first. or  do an excisional biopsy, radiation, then BMX.I really do not know anything of this except I know I want to do everything possible to get rid of this fast and for good.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AlohaGirl
    AlohaGirl Member Posts: 213
    edited January 2012

    I just wanted to add additional encouragement for the newbies.  I was diagnosed with DCIS in early 2009 following my first mammogram (right after I turned 40).  Since completing treatment (well, except Tamoxifen, which I am still taking), I have an MRI annually and a mammogram annually (six months apart, so I am checked in some way every six months).  I just had my third mammogram post-treatment and the doctor gave me the all-clear.  Sometimes it doesn't feel like it from the boards because the people who have recurrances or second cancers are more likely to post, but I think for most people with DCIS, it only happens once. And the worrying and anxiety does get better (though for me it hasn't completely gone away, it comes out infrequently now, mostly related to things like doctor's appointments and mammograms).  Hang in there!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited January 2012

    Hi Laura, thanks for checking in. I hope to be you in a year's time.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • eileenr56
    eileenr56 Member Posts: 135
    edited January 2012

    AlohaGirl,

    I like your post to.  I am having my 3rd mammogram on Thursday.  I do read the boards and they do make me a little nervous when it gets close to mammogram time.  I had pure DCIS with good margins, so one side of my brain says not to worry about it, but the other side is a little concerned.  You never know.

    I agree, (or hope) that most people with DCIS with good margins are fine in the future and you don't hear from them on the board.

    The boards are like a book you can't put down, but they are real people.  My heart goes out to everyone.

    Fingers crossed.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AlohaGirl
    AlohaGirl Member Posts: 213
    edited January 2012

    Good luck on Thursday, Eileen!  Just focus on how happy you'll be when it is over and you have a good result!  Let us know how it goes.  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • eileenr56
    eileenr56 Member Posts: 135
    edited January 2012

    HI,  Just came back from my 6 month Mammogram and everything is OK.  Yeah.

    I am now 1 year 7  months out from my surgery. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AlohaGirl
    AlohaGirl Member Posts: 213
    edited January 2012

    Congratulations, Eileen!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • eileenr56
    eileenr56 Member Posts: 135
    edited January 2012

    Thanks AlohaGirl (love the name, by the way).

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • nancy72
    nancy72 Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2012

    Here's my contribution for those that feel scared, hopeful, lonely and any other emotion that relates to the big scarey "C" club.  Here's to joining in on laurakay's note of hope!  Btw way to go laurakay!

    First of all, I apologize in advance because I'm not familiar with the acronyms used here but will try my best.  

    Dearest club members/sisters, after 2 lumpectomies and UMX (Dec. 2/11) I am finally clear!  

    I too, felt so terrified, confused, frustrated and that my world is turning upside down.  I want everyone reading this to BELIEVE that it is possible to get rid of the bad bugs!  Keep doing your research, your reading, your healthy eating, your seeking for support and second opinions, positive thinking, crying for strength and anything else that keeps you on the path the feels right for you.  Keep focused on the CAUSE.  

    For me, my reasoning was that this is happening to me beCAUSE I need to find the right solution to beat CANCER.  I could not allow me to accept anything else.  It is normal to feel deflated when you are told by the 'professionals' something that you didn't expect but do not give up ladies.  I expected to be told that I was in the clear after my first lumptectomy.  I naturally struggled so much (but forced myself) to believe I would be in the clear after my 2nd lumptectomy followed with some radiation. But when I sat down with my Radiologists expecting to talk about my treatment plan for radiation, my hope was pierced yet again.  "Radiation will not work for you...blah blah blah...we strongly suggest a mastectomy".  To top it off, my surgeon disagreed with this decision entirely. 

    After meeting with several other "professionals" including 3 more surgeons, 2 radiologists, I decided to choose Mastectomy with immediate reconstruction and from the surgeon that felt right for me.  

    To get to my point: Please Do Not give up searching for the answer for what is best for you.  Best everything including your doctor and treatment plan.  You will be ok.  Life can be about way more than just this life you're living now.  Believe that you are going through this beCause of something great is going to come of it. 

    All the Best in Health and Everything Happy dear friends.

    Hugs,

    Nancy 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited January 2012
    Thanks Nancy for those heartfelt thoughts!  It sure is a long road; the encouragement is much appreciated. Smile
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Merritmalloy
    Merritmalloy Member Posts: 79
    edited January 2012

    Aloha girl - curious...does your ins. Co. Cover the yearly MRI or do you have to pay for it?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Merritmalloy
    Merritmalloy Member Posts: 79
    edited January 2012

    Great feedback! Really made me feel hopeful. Thanks. :)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AlohaGirl
    AlohaGirl Member Posts: 213
    edited January 2012

    Hi, Merritmalloy!  My insurance covers it, at least so far.  I think (based on something my MO said) because of all the scar tissue from my lumpectomy making it harder to see clearly on the mammogram.  I've actually been extremely pleased with my insurance throughout this whole process, though I know that any day that could change.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Merritmalloy
    Merritmalloy Member Posts: 79
    edited January 2012

    That's good to hear.   I have my first follow-up this morning with my BS who performed the mx.  I'm going to ask her about helping me with a plan to get yearly MRIs.  I want to be so vigilant now!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CTMOM1234
    CTMOM1234 Member Posts: 633
    edited January 2012

    Wonderful post and congratulations!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories