DCIS and Mastectomy?

Hopeful Future:  How are you doing.  I hope that your healing is going well.

So, just back from the surgeon and she 100% agrees with the oncologist/radiologist that I need to have a mastectomy.  Now to decide if I do one or two, I think I've already made my decision on this, but the part that's hard for me is I really feel that using my own tissue is the way to go, but the surgery is so much more extensive than having implants - trying to justify it in my mind.  I'm sure I will work it out, but I'm wondering if anyone can share their surgical experience, she says it's 12 hours with immediate reconstruction - which will be hell on my family, but I don't want to base my decision on that at this time.  I realize that it will require about four to six weeks for recovery - I am prepared for that and for the pain, what I'm not really prepared for is the risk of death with a surgery that long.  I remember seeing people that underwent voluntary surgery for weightloss and they die and I always think why couldn't they just be happy with themselves as they are.  I know this is an odd comparison, but I am concerned I am doing this out of vanity and maybe even a little selfishness if something awful were to happen.  Thanks for listening and I hope everyone is having a peaceful and happy day.

LAstar, I chose implants after my BMX because I couldn't handle the long surgery. Of course, I am 57, diabetic and overweight. All those strikes against me. If your health and age is better, you have a much better chance. Good luck, you will make the right decision for you. Much love.

Thanks LAStar, you've been a big help.  The 12 hours is for both and a TRAM (or whatever it is called).  I'm so tired right now, not sure how to concentrate at work, it's so hard.  My original diagnosis was 6/6/12 and still nothing scheduled.  They said it is high grade DCIS, wide spread, slightly + ER and - PR.  They are saying they can't do surgery until the end of August, I'm so frustrated and exhausted.  I know I just need to get some sleep and I'll be strong again.

"NOLA" is just short for New Orleans, Louisiana.  The Center for Restorative Breast Surgery is the name of the place.

Here is the website: http://www.breastcenter.com

Here is the link to the thread in Breast Reconstruction:

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/736412?page=613#idx_18363 

The Center is really good about getting people in quickly that have cancer and need to have surgery.  If you just want to see what your insurance will cover, you can contact the Center and start the paperwork process.  They will need copies of your medical records.  Then they contact your insurance company and let you know ASAP what the cost will be and how soon they can get you in.  The travel adds a little more complexity, but they are accustomed to out-of-state patients.  They have a car service that does airport shuttling and takes you to and from appointments.  They have relationships with hotels to get you discounted rates.  There is also an American Cancer Assn hotel called the Hope Lodge where you can stay for free with a referral from the Center.  If you want to have your surgery sooner, this might be a good option.  However, I don't think that they do TRAM flap procedures there.  All of the procedures done at the Center do not involve moving muscle.  But they do excellent work.  Check out the picture forum on their website!  I know a woman locally who went there 2 years ago and her results rival anything I saw on their website, so I feel that their results are consistently very good.  Okay, I hope this helps rather than adds to the confusion!  Best wishes!

Proudtospin, I am happy for you-B9 IS GOOD.

I had a benign biopsy. But they wanted the lump out due to the type of tissue...when they did lumpectomy, it was DCIS, the bad kind. I also had a clear MRI. I will never trust a biopsy again. Just saying...

Kd6blk



That is unusual. Good for your doctors who did not trust the biopsy.



Was it a core biopsy? and what do you mean by the bad kind of DCIS?

proudtospin

And how are the black grains described in your path report? 

Proudtospin....  I'm guessing that you would find this out on the path report after surgery? 

I'm wondering if anyone can answer this question.  As you've probably read, I have to wait until the end of August for a mastectomy for my DCIS that is 5 cm.  The doctor says it is a Stage 0 right now, but she will not know for sure until they take it out and test it.  How dangerous is it to wait six weeks when they don't even know for sure if it is a Stage 0.  I really wish I could know that it wouldn't grow very much in six weeks even if it was invasive, but I don't think that is the case.  Any thoughts would be helpful.

positive, the info was given to me after the lumpie when my BS and I were discussing what she called "preventive treatments" which is how she introduced me to the concept of radiation and the meds.  I was on my path report

I know it is horrible to wait for results but if they thought it fast changing, I think they would bump you up.

all this stuff just plain takes too long!  It took me 6 weeks this past month to get from an "oops something new is on your mamo" to the "all is clear and benign" and in between I was a mess

try to keep the nerves in place, yoga helps me~

Positive, 6 weeks will give you just enough time to Dr Google, panic, call friends, calm down, Dr Google, panic, call BS, calm down, and then actually do some research and winnow out the actual information of what you will probably go through. I had a mammogram in Sept, second to clarify in Oct, biopsy in Nov, and BMX in Dec. If that helps. LOL! Hang in there they like to be real sure before they do anything and waiting is the hardest. And if you do Dr Google, check here if something you see is confusing or scaring the pants off of you. Much love.