DCIS and Mastectomy?

Greenmonkey, I'm so sorry you had to go thru all that.

When I as first diagnosed I felt I had to deal with the stress that came with having BC, getting all my tests done and shopping around for a good BS and PS that worked together. Finding a good PS and BS that worked together in a good hospital wasn't easy. Its almost like shopping for your right shoe and then finding a matching left shoe. And at the time, my focus was mainly on getting the cancer out. I didn't even think about the reconstruction and how messed up that can get if you chose the wrong doctors.

From my experience while I was shopping around: I found a great BS that worked with a not so reputable PS and in a sucky hosipital. I was torn that I couldn't use that BS because I knew nothing of the PS that she worked with. So I had to go do my own research on the internet and read review and bios of BS and PS and deep inside I felt the cancer time clock was ticking. I felt really rushed into a decision. At the end, I just pushed myself and made the decision based on what hospital I wanted to get it done and then searched for the doctors I wanted to be involved. I can't believe I only met with my PS once and went into surgery with her. In my case, I lucked out and got decent results, but it could have been really bad if I chose the wrong doctors. From reading alot on these forums, I realize a lot can go wrong.

Now that I am all done with the TE and Implant reconstruction, I look back and I really think I threw myself into the surgery room. For all you newbies, make sure you do your research, get referrals and make sure you get a PS with hell of alot of experience with "Reconstruction". If you can't find 2 great BS and PS that works together, delay your reconstruction.

Kate -- I LOVE your post re: yes their fake, the real ones tried to kill me.  I laughed out loud!  I needed that humor!!!

I'm glad you finally got your date! I totally understand that feeling. It is the epitome of bittersweet. I called my date (9/7/12) the date of eviction for my cancer because it was not welcomed in my body! People would ask when was my surgery and I would say "the eviction will be held on Sept 7th".



Hoping that all goes well! Keep us updated!

Cindy, glad you got a date. Momluke, love the eviction quote.

dessert1st...love the name!  Sorry you have to go thru this, but this board can be a great help.  Check and see if someone has started a thread for your month of surgery.  It helps to be able to "chat" with women going through this at the same time as you are.  Also check out

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/91/topic/699896?page=20#idx_588

this thread has a link of things to buy, etc that are helpful.

I found that trying to do more exercise, eatting right, getting plenty of water in the weeks prior to surgery will help maximize your recovery.  And can't say it enough...colace and sennokot and prune juice...and LOTS OF WATER will help avoid some of the worst side effects of the anestesia and pain meds!!

I had bilateral with muscle sparing TRAM about 9 weeks ago and beside developing a little lymphedema (I had nodes taken out on both sides) things have been pretty good.  TE is a bit different with its own set of things to deal with, but if you put TE in search box, you will come up with some threads on that.  Just remember that everyone is different...and more people that have problems tend to post.  I have known people that had great outcomes and some not so great.  A lot depends on your initial health, if you have had chemo or radiation etc.

Best of luck and know that there is a lot of support so keep posting.

Thanks Hoya and Cindyloo, all good suggestions that i can check out. Cindyloo, there is chance my surgery will be moved up to the 24. so we may recoup together :-)

Hey Dessert1st I sent you a private message.



I'm kinda freaked about the drain thing. My cousin who is 3 years post surgery in November referred to it as "a shit show".



I just ordered 2 camisoles that open in the front and have pockets inside for the drains. A friend suggested them and said they were a huge help to her.



It just gets more real every day....

why can't I figure out how to link things? 

http://greenmonkeytales.blogspot.com/p/catstir.html 

this should work 

We just scheduled my surgery, Im doing bilateral due to a family history and a genetic disorder I have that neither rads or hormone therapy would be a good idea...Its scheduled for Nov 9...waiting for an appointment with the plastic surgeon....confident in my choice as I have SO much going on in life with a chronically ill child BUT just want it over and to get on my way to recovery.

GreenMonkey which hospital did you use? Are you in the HH part of the state? I live east of the river so going thru Middlesex, they have been amazing?

Wow...who would ever have thought that. I'm glad you are in better hands. Fingers crossed you get everything you want.

Coffee4me, how are you feeling? So scary how sneaky this darn disease is. Glad you went forth with your gut, and did the BMX. What a relief.



I had mine 9-24, for DCIS. My path came back with no residual DCIS in cancerous breast, and nothing in the other. I can honestly say even with this good news I have

NO REGRETS. I feel like I dodged a bullet. The decision was torturous, but I promised myself no second guesses, no beating myself up, no matter what!



Big healing wishes coming your way!

I had a UMX and there are times that I regret not having a BMX. The fear of "what-if" can be paralyzing at times!

Momluke, you need to give it time.  I had a UMX too and for the first year or so, I had a lot of fear. Then there were the 6 month mammos and MRIs!  Yikes those were scary! But with every month that passed, and with every mammo and MRI, the fear eased. Then one day I was sitting there in the hospital gown, waiting to go in for my mammo, and I realized that I wasn't the slightest bit worried. 

You are less than 3 months from your diagnosis and less than 2 months from your surgery. It's still so fresh. Of course you have fear.  But the fact is that I've seen lots of women who've had BMXs who didn't get rid of that fear for a year or more, despite having had the BMX. It's the fact that you were diagnosed that causes the fear; it's not the type of surgery you had that causes it. The fear is normal and it will ease with time.  You just need to give it time.  I'm 7 years out and I'm very happy that I decided to have the UMX and keep one natural breast. 

Coffee4me, same exact thing with ME!!!!  my first mammo showed DCIS in right, and left was fine. then I went for a second opinion and was told my left side needed another mammo, then a biopsy, then it turned out I had pre DCIS (ADH) in my left and DCIS in my right so I went with the BMX. My final pathology report showed LCIS, pre DCIS, pre LCIS and DCIS in my left and right!!!  THIS IS WHY I ALWAYS ADVISE TO TRUST YOUR GUT!!!   Heal well it helps to know you made the right decision. I will never regret mine.