Howdy all

Probably not a bad idea to go ahead and do the SNB, even with a low grade DCIS.   From my understanding, you can't do a SNB after the fact if you don't have any breasts.  I have heard of some people having the dye injected into their arms, but I don't think this is very common.  I'm sure that someone will posts who has more info about that. 

Waiting is the hardest part in my opinion.  I really can't answer the question of whether or not you should be worried.  If you are not worrying, you must have a stronger mind than most of us!  The fact that your DCIS low grade is a good thing.  I think the chances of invasion will be less with a grade 1 vs a grade 3.   

You have come to the right place to wait.  We have all been there and will wait with you.  Sending positive, healing thoughts your way.  

How is your recovery going?   

Drains..yes they suck big time.  Since I had a UMX, I only had two drains.  I had one removed at 10 days out and the other removed about a week after that.  I did the Happy Dance on that day.

The pills he is referring to is probably either tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor.  I take tamoxifen and will for 4 more year.  

I will give you a gentle warning to not over do this soon after surgery.  It will set you back if you do. Your body had been through so much and it needs time to heal.

Worrying is normal and until you hear your doctor's voice tell you that the path. report was clear, your mind will go over all the possibilities.   Hang in there. 

Rosewyld,

With low grade DCIS, the odds are really good that nothing more than DCIS will be found.  Overall in about 20% of cases where DCIS is found in a biopsy, once the final surgery is complete and all the tissue has been analysed under a microscope, something more serious will be found.  That's an average for all women with DCIS which means that the risk is quite a bit lower for those who have low grade DCIS (as you do) vs. those who have high grade DCIS (as I did - and I did turn out to have a microinvasion of IDC).  

If it turns out that your final diagnosis is pure DCIS, because you have had a bilateral mastectomy, there will be little benefit to taking hormone therapy (Tamoxifen or one of the aromatase inhibitors).  After a BMX, your risk to have a recurrence or develop a new BC is only around 1% - 2%.  These drugs can cut the risk almost in half but with a risk level that is already so low, the absolute benefit would only around 1% (a 50% reduction of a 2% risk).  These drugs also come with side effects and risks of their own; for those who've had a BMX for DCIS, these side effects and risks may actually be greater than the benefit you'd get from the drug.  Once you have your final pathology report, you should see a medical oncologist.  This is the doctor who is responsible for prescribing any post-surgery drugs. Because you had the BMX, I would be very surprised if an oncologist recommended anything further for you, if your final diagnosis is pure DCIS.  I had only a single mastectomy and my oncologist actually recommended against Tamoxifen for me, even though I would have had the additional benefit of protection of my remaining breast.  He said that he would prescribe it for me if I wanted it in order to reduce my BC risk in my remaining breast, but he felt that the overall benefit did not warrant the risks and side effects.  I did a lot of research on it and ended up agreeing. 

Good luck with the final pathology report.  Hopefully it's all good news.  Let us know.  

Woohoo on your great path report and for getting your drains out!!  We went out to dinner and celebrated as well

That is great news Rose!!!!  So glad your nodes are clear and no invasion.  I am taking Tamoxefin.  Not crazy about it, but I'm managing.  Yea for being drain free too!  

You should treat yourself to whatever you feel like eating tonight....steak with a nice glass of red and DESSERT!   Heck....eat dessert first! 

big congrats. Great news, and what a relief and load off your mind. Hope you heal quickly now too from the surgery.