DCIS questions and confusions, personal stories and issues

Claire...not going to make any timing decisions until I see the RO and MO next week. To complicate things even more I went to my Gastro doc today to get  an RX for my collagenous colitis meds and updated her and my records about the bc. She informed me I am due for my 3rd colonoscopy. Oh goody just what I need to add to the mix while in the middle of the rads and Tamox decision making and timing. They will not do the procedure while I am in radiation so I may just put it off until January as I have enough on my plate as it is.

My Onc asked me when i was getting a colonoscopy - havent had one ever.  I told her itll be a while - i can only deal with one cancer at a time......  or cancer screening at a time.....whatever - cant deal.....

I know i should have one.......like I should have had a mammo 5 years ago when my sister was dx...... this was my first mammo when i got my dx in april..... but just do not have the strength to handle any more bad news.  Maybe next year, maybe a few years before I can.  I dont have any issues in that department, but hey, didnt have any breast issues either.  

I know i know.......Its laughable now, but I was afraid of the radiation exposure!  Say that now after all the MRIs, CTs, Mammos Ive had since dx!!  But I was faithful in doing my self breast exams, and had no family history until my sister got dx 5 yrs ago.  And there are a lot of women in my family who lived to be 95+.    Had a friend who got bc 20 yrs ago and found the lump 2months after her mammo. Convinced myself it is not a perfect diagnostic tool....and still think that to some extent.  But shouting it from the rooftops to all the women I know to get screened.   I was planning on getting the colonoscopy, bc my husbands insurance is now requiring all these tests done bc of my age - 54.  So I will do it next year.  

Now that im on the green smoothies every morning.....my colon is sufficiently cleaned out......lol 

Ive read a lot of women on these boards who say that it was their first mammo.  In the past 2 years, ive had SIX friends diagnosed with cancer, 5 with breast cancer, one stage 4.  Most of them are under 40.  After my dear friend got her dx in feb., i made my appointment.  We have all helped eachother thru this.  The last friend was dx one month after me and its been incredible being able to hold her hand and get info and do research for her - things that were hard for me to do for myself or ask from others...... The women in our community are awesome and inspiring!

Mooleen

U are soooo right. I am 40 and just diagnosed. I have been having mammos since I was 32 because of fmhx.

 Shayne

It really would be bad news if you were diagnosed with colon cancer.  But that is what a  colonoscopy is supposed to prevent.  It is really a piece of cake.  

It is the prep that is not fun.  You might have to drink quarts of green slime or some other prep that is mostly pills so you can check on that.  

I have had 2 with no polyps, but my husband needs to go every 3 years because they find out something every time.  If he had never had that that first colonoscopy, I would be a widow after going through my husband's dying process.  My poor hubby would be dead.  It is one of those annoying things we have to do.  

As we get older, more health problems are going to arise and we have to suck it up.  In addition of all of this, I have had a c-section, hyst., hernia surgery, cataract surgery, laser surgery on my eyes, both knees replaced and now this bc scare.  

It is all doabel. Pain is controlled.  Remember how scared you were of SAVI.  All doable, and it saves our lives.

Yea proudtospin - got tired of reading replies to my comments that my choices were for my dx, not for others to think they were an option for them and their dx.......so now Im covered....

Proud no need to apologise we all have our ups & downs! 

Shayne that's a good idea.  I'm the odd ball out as hardly any has asked me a thing! 

For the rest I was reading through about the Colonoscopy's.  I had my first with an endoscopy 6 years ago (age 39) because of tummy troubles.  All was clear except I was DX with GERD = Acid Reflux.  Fast forward 5 years to last summer.  In June I had to go in again for a double scope as I was having major issues swallowing & the Dr. desided since they have to do the TOP he might as well do the bottom.  This time not only did they find my stomach covered in B9 polyps as well as a narrowing in my esophagus which was dilated.  They found one lone polyp in my colon it was pre cancerous & I now have to have a colonoscopy every 5 years.  If I had not had the swallowing problem I hate to think what that polyp would of been in just a few more years!  No I don't like colonoscopy's only because of the prep.  But if 3 of my 4 boys can endure them at the the age of 11, 19, & 20 for their first ones.  As they will have to get them every 2-5 years or earlier if needed because of Crohn's, IBS, & Polyps!  Well I can suck it up too!  My 4th son may be heading for one soon as well, but he doesn't know it yet! I understand about not wanting anything more done right now....just don't forget it or let it go too long!  It's much easier to deal with precancerous!  Maybe not in the mind though!  

Thanks Proud! It's been so much over the years, relentless. When friends, people from church hear what has happened even in the last 6 months not only with me but more than what I have said here with our family they are amazed! It's an emotional Roller Coaster! I put one foot in front of the other! I have such wonderful blessings I call friends! I would be lost without them & my family! Every where you go someone else has it worse than me. Although never easy at times. I pick my self up & try to put one foot in front of the other!

In that general vacinity! Always have been!

Hi Joyce, how are you feeling? -- I don't think time it takes to get results has any correlation of the results ... I am so sorry, 10 days just feels like forever  (although counting weekends and day of surgery it is only 7 days, which is fairly typical) ... good luck ... stay strong, try not to drive yourself crazy!! 

Joyce, I had my lumpectomy July 30th and got my path report  August 11th. I had to call the surgeon's office twice to get it. When I went for my post-op appt with the surgeon Aug 3rd they did not have the report in their system yet to give me a copy and would send me a copy as soon as they saw it in their system. Everything is done electronically these days and the report was sent to the radiology and medical oncologists Monday Aug 6th but I didn't get my copy and I know exactly how long it takes to get mail from 5 miles away and the main P.O. is physically between the hospital/surgeon office and me so I gave them a few more days and then I called again. Getting a paper copy for the PATIENT is not that easy. If you have not already done so...call the surgeon's office. Ask them to fax it if you have a fax machine or ask them to put it in the mail NOW. Be nice but act anxious because YOU ARE and so was I.

Thanks infobabe! Its OUR BREASTS and they should automatically make sure we get a copy of any and everything related to it as soon as humanly possible. Information is power.  I know we can't understand everything that is on these reports but this support group and the oncologists can untangle it for us. I am taking mine to the radiology oncologist and the medical oncologist this week.

I remember my surgeon's office letting me know in the beginning that some tests take longer to get results from than others and depending what the results are depends on the requested tests

hope that makes sense, yeah, I had a mamo and a biopsy this past June and the entire process...do not freak on this....took me almost 6 weeks to get the final report

hang in, keep cool, do something to relax you and keep your mind busy, sewing works for me but whatever works for you!