Recently diagnosed with DCIS

mssunshine71
mssunshine71 Member Posts: 162
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

I was just told on wednesday that I have DCIS.  The reason I say told is because The surgeon stated they don't have all the facts yet d/t having a needle biopsy and only the preliminary was in at this point.  I am scheduled for a lumpectomy, lymphnode removal and sentinal node biopsy this coming tuesday June 5.  I have a rather large, hard lymph node just under my arm that the surgeon is concerned about.  It seems to have grown quite a bit since the biopsy.  I'm hoping its just the lymph nodes way of fighting off whatever infection that may have been brewing from the biopsy (biopsy site is completely healthy looking)  My question is, has anyone had an enlarged lymph node with DCIS that turned out to be benign?  I'm worried because this will definitely change my course of treatment.  At this point I'm only looking at lumpectomy with RADS and cannot begin to fathom the thought of Chemo.  I saw my mom go through it less than 3 years ago and it was so hard on her.  I am a single mom and need to work.

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  • crystalphm
    crystalphm Member Posts: 1,138
    edited May 2012

    My thoughts are with you, just take it all one day at a time, the best you can. Even being told you have DCIS, it is my understanding that such a diagnosis can only be made after the whole lump is removed and all the tissue checked.

     Post here, get advice, there are many women here with so much wisdom.

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  • agrp1
    agrp1 Member Posts: 37
    edited June 2012

    Mssunshine, I also had SNB with my lumpectomy, because my MRI showed one lymph node was enlarged. It was shaped normal, just larger than the rest. Just found out today that my lymph nodes are clear; it must have been related to the biopsy. My RO said that is not at all uncommon. Praying that it's the same for you! 

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  • mssunshine71
    mssunshine71 Member Posts: 162
    edited June 2012

    Thank you crystal for the kind thoughts :)  

    Thank you agrp1.  That makes me feel so much better!  I could feel the lymph node before the biopsy but since then it is much larger and sore as well.  They said the pathology results would be two to three weeks so at least now I won't worry as much :)

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  • Amy332012
    Amy332012 Member Posts: 35
    edited June 2012

    Aww girl I have the same feelings. I had a lumpectomy last week (5 days ago)and was suppose to have SND my dr said if he gets in there and my lymphnodes dont look good or abnormal he was going to remove them all and he did just that. So tomorrow I will find out the results of the nodes. Im scared of what I will find out. And Chemo yep I don't want to think about it either.

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  • mssunshine71
    mssunshine71 Member Posts: 162
    edited June 2012

    I'm sorry to hear that Amy (hugs).  How have you been coping up till now?  I hope it all works out for you.  I'll send positive thoughts your way and pray for good results tomorrow.  Let me know how it goes.

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  • agrp1
    agrp1 Member Posts: 37
    edited June 2012

    Wow mssunshine, sorry you have such a long wait--I've never had to wait more than 2 days for pathology reports, and that is hard enough! Just remember that your initial pathology said DCIS, and that is probably "all" it is. Try not to think too much about worst case scenarios (I can say this after I spent half of the month thinking worst-case, then the 2nd half of the month thinking best-case. Best case won!) :) Peace to you!

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  • Amy332012
    Amy332012 Member Posts: 35
    edited June 2012

    I have coped with the whole cancer thing very well. I'm doing well still having to take my pain pills. Under my arm is sore and aching pain where they took out the lymphnodes. As I read on here each person is differnet and no surgery is the same.

    PS  After I had the byopsy is when my lymph nodes felt larger. I will let you know what I find out tomorrow.

    Good luck tomorrow!!!! If I could be there to help you I would.  Amy

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  • mssunshine71
    mssunshine71 Member Posts: 162
    edited June 2012

    Thank you for the positive thoughts agrp :)

    Did u get your results yet Amy?

    My surgery went well.  I'm assuming they only took one lymph node.  I didn't get to talk to anyone before or after so I read my chart myself and it said they removed 2 masses. I'm assuming one was the tumor and one lymph node so I guess that is good news.  They said follow up is in two weeks with the surgeon which is when he should have the results and my treatment plan.

    I'm feeling pretty good today!  My mom is here to stay with me as long as I need her.  She just left to pick up my daughter and will bring her to the school bus tomorrow and pick her up for me.  I'm so lucky to have her and she knows first hand as she had pretty much the same Dx 3 years ago.

    It's great to have a place to talk to people who are going through the same things.  I appreciate all the support!!

    Thank you all :) 

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  • agrp1
    agrp1 Member Posts: 37
    edited June 2012

    Glad it went well and that your mom is helping out! My parents came and stayed for a few days so DH could go to work, and it was a huge help having them here to do things and entertain the kids (and feed them!). I'm doing a lot better 6 days out, but yesterday I washed a bunch of dishes and that about did me in (SNB site is still more sore than LX). So my advice... let other people do the dishes :)

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  • proudtospin
    proudtospin Member Posts: 5,972
    edited June 2012

    the rule is if someone offers to help, take em up on it

    if they do not offer, then ask!

    so glad to hear you are healing, I had similar diagnosis 4 years ago and well, all clear as on last check up so hope you have the same

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  • Amy332012
    Amy332012 Member Posts: 35
    edited June 2012

     I so glad your doing good. I was wondering how you everything went with your surgery. Not to bad:)

    I went yesterday and found out the BS took out 17 Lymph nodes and they were all negative. Yeahhhhhhh!!!

    He took out the drain tube also and it didn't hurt. I feel  better today 10times better.

    The pathology report says 'disrupted margin' so I might have to go back and have some more tissue taken out.

    Hugs to you also

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  • agrp1
    agrp1 Member Posts: 37
    edited June 2012

    Amy, sorry about your margins, but YAY on the lymph nodes!!! I know that was especially worrisome.

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  • proudtospin
    proudtospin Member Posts: 5,972
    edited June 2012

    Amy, I needed 3 lumpies till clear margins on all

    so not to be too disturbed if they need another shot at getting it out, yay on the lymph nodes clear!

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  • mssunshine71
    mssunshine71 Member Posts: 162
    edited June 2012

    agrp1 and proud, thank you for the encouragement!

    Amy, great news on the lymph nodes!  It must have been so scary having that many out!

    How long after surgery did you find out about the unclear margins?  My mom thought I would have heard right away.  She was told in recovery that the margins were clear but no one talked to me after. 

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  • Amy332012
    Amy332012 Member Posts: 35
    edited June 2012

    So I had surgery on May 30th and went back for my check up on June 5th. So 6 days after surgery. The BS said it is up to the radiation people to look at the pathologhy report and they will determine if I need to go back and make taken out. You should call your dr and see if they have your report yet.

    17 lymph nodes but hey I know I can't cancer in them now.

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  • proudtospin
    proudtospin Member Posts: 5,972
    edited June 2012

    You know, I am not sure how long it was till I heard, sort of think it a few days for the report to come back.  I remember my doc had a dumb schedule of days in her office and days in surgery and it was a pain in the whatever getting my results

     I would agree with Amy, call and bug em for the results and ask when

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  • mssunshine71
    mssunshine71 Member Posts: 162
    edited June 2012

    I will be calling my surgeon today as I have not heard anything yet.  Don't even have a follow up appt. scheduled.

    Thank you ladies :)

    How are you feeling Amy?

    proud, what was your treatment? 

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  • mssunshine71
    mssunshine71 Member Posts: 162
    edited June 2012

    So I called my surgeon.  My follow-up is June 25th.  No info from the surgery yet.  I dont even know the size, grade or stage yet :(

    Did anyone get that info from the biopsy as I did not.  They only said DCIS 

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  • Amy332012
    Amy332012 Member Posts: 35
    edited June 2012

     Dang that seems to be a long time to wait, being today is the 8th.

    I called my doctor back today because they never called me back about my next radiology appointment, so they are going to call back today...so they say.

    I'm feeling really good other than under my arm being sore from him taking out so many lymph nodes.

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  • proudtospin
    proudtospin Member Posts: 5,972
    edited June 2012

    sunshine, I had 3 lumpies till I got clear margins, then 30 odd days of radiation and now on aromasin for 3 1/2 years now

    course I just had my 4 year mamo on this past Monday and they just called me to say I need to come back for more images.  I did not say anything this past Monday but they only did a screening mamo not a diagnostic mamo and this week said I had "misshapened" breasts.

    dummies, 3 chunks removed so yea they are sort of funny shaped

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  • mssunshine71
    mssunshine71 Member Posts: 162
    edited June 2012

    Hopefully your pain passes soon Amy and in the meantime I hope you have good pain meds :)  Did you hear anything yet?

    I'm sorry to hear that Proud.  Was it the first time they went back to doing a screening mammo? 

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  • Amy332012
    Amy332012 Member Posts: 35
    edited June 2012

    No, they never called back so I guess I have to wait until Monday now.

    Yeah I had good pain pills but took them all. I really don't need any now. I did take Tylenol last night and it helped.

    How are you today?

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  • mssunshine71
    mssunshine71 Member Posts: 162
    edited June 2012

    I'm feeling pretty good Amy, thank you.  I think my pain meds were causing terrible nightmares though so no more for me :S  Darn doctors for not getting back to you.  Hopefully you have something to keep you pleasantly busy through the weekend. (Hugs)

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  • gumshoe
    gumshoe Member Posts: 248
    edited June 2012

    Hi mssunshine71 -- Just saw this thread now. I see you're in Canada too!

    I had DCIS (biopsy, surgery, re-excision) but they didn't take any nodes. My nodes are a bit enlarged from the surgeries and an infection but my surgeon said that would go away in time.

    The pathology report from my biopsy did give me all the info about grade etc. but yes, unfortunately we tend to have to wait a long time for results at times. I think it's worse as summer gets closer, at least that's what I'm finding. 

    Good luck to you! 

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  • Amy332012
    Amy332012 Member Posts: 35
    edited June 2012

    Believe me had terrible dreams too! think stress and not much sleep and pain meds altogether = nightmares

    I have gone starecrazy being in this house all week. Hopefully I'm going to get out tomorrow some.

    I'm glad your doing well. I hate we have to go through this.

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  • proudtospin
    proudtospin Member Posts: 5,972
    edited June 2012

    Sunshine, this was the first time in 4 years that they called me back but the first time it was a screening mamo and not a diagnostic mamo

    learned my lesson on this so hoping it is just caution and yeap, I do want them to be cautious

    I plan on double yoga class tommorrow to calm my nerves, also major time at the gym......maybe some time on my sewing machine, all things to keep busy

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  • mssunshine71
    mssunshine71 Member Posts: 162
    edited June 2012

    Good luck to you too gumshoe.  Do you know your treatment plan yet?

    Amy, hope you are feeling well today :)

    Proud, I like to go to the gym too.  Are you able to lift weights with the arm they took the node from?  I heard you can never lift with that arm again :( 

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  • proudtospin
    proudtospin Member Posts: 5,972
    edited June 2012

    Yes I do lift weights as the PT person I saw for my lymphodemia, said it was ok to do so

    confess that right now I do have same pain in the boobie and not sure the cause but will be seeing docs next week for the funkie on the mamo

    Also, there is a lot to do at a gym besides lifting weights and think maybe you need to rethink what you do

    (the proudtospin is spin classes....oldest person in the class!)

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  • mssunshine71
    mssunshine71 Member Posts: 162
    edited June 2012

    Thank you proud.  I will definitely look into it once I am ready to exercise again!

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  • Amy332012
    Amy332012 Member Posts: 35
    edited June 2012

     Hey Ms SunShine

    So today when I checked the mail I had my appointments I have been waiting for. Rad 19th and back to the BS on 27th.

    I finally got up and out of the house all day, so now I'm tried and going to lay on the couch and watch a movie :)

    How are you?

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