Multiple lumpectomies

Breathdeep62 · May 2013

Hi ladies,

I was diagnosed with dcis high grade March 2013. After my second lumpectomy they missed the margin by .1mm. So in I went for third lumpectomy expecting to be done, heal for a month then start radiation. Today they told me more was found. The dr recommended mastectomy but wasn't a candidate for reconstructive because my BMI was too high. He was nice and agreed second opinion was good. Second doctor ordered MRI to see whether fourth lumpectomy would be worth it. Second dr. also said my BMI was fine and that if I lost a bit of weight before reconstructive, I would be fine, it can affect healing is only concern. I am heavy but I exercise regularly. My nipple is starting to "cave in" but not too bad. Am assuming fourth would make it worse and was told nipple reconstruction was possibility. I've said enough. I am looking for other women who have been through the same. Thank you.

dp4peace · May 2013

Hi,

I have had 3 lumpectomies and still a close margin of .1mm. Saught several opinions including Dr. Silverstein who is an oncoplastic surgeon in Newport Beach, CA. You can see my story and resources on my blog (www.dcis411.com) Please contact me if you have any questions. I would also recommend 2nd pathological opinion from someone like Dr. Lagios. It is very frustrating having multiple surgeries and still margins are not clear or are close. There are options and I hope you keep investigating and find solutions that feel right for you. Blessings, Donna

ballet12 · May 2013

Hi Breathdeep,

I only had three lumpectomies, so I didn't face what you are facing. I did have three previous surgeries on that breast over the years, so the third lumpectomy was technically my sixth surgery. I have to say that the breast didn't look too great after all that, but here's the surprise. After I had the radiation, it plumped back up and the defect under the nipple (yes, it's slightly misplaced also) is really not obvious at all now, except when raising the arm. I have heard of people having four lumpectomies and succeeding at number four. Someone PM'd me about it, and a well-known surgeon who happens to be my Mom's neighbor, said that she had a patient in which the fourth was, in her words, "the dream"--. I was not comfortable with reconstruction and also wanted to avoid mastectomy, so I went through the surgeries knowing that there could be cosmetic defects, but somehow it isn't as bad as I thought it would be, in the end. If you have a very large amount of DCIS, it just may not be possible to go that route. Mine was, I would guess, close to 6 cm's on a barely 34C breast (amount uncertain due to being multifocal), and most likely my surgeon would have also said mx after surgery #3.

Breathdeep62 · May 2013

Thank you for all your input. I am on information overload and trying to just get through the day. I am concerned after reading your wonderful blog dp4peace that my high grade is worrisome. I am waiting for call to schedule MRI so will have to wait and remind myself that freaking out doesn't help. Easier said than done. I feel so much hope reading these boards. Thank you so much!

Breathdeep62 · May 2013

Thank you for your story. That's the frustration: the amount seems to keep changing. I guess the hopeful thing is they thought they got it all the second time so maybe that's a good sign. I hope my MRI is positive and shows 4th lumpectomy rather than mastectomy is the way to go. You guys are awesome!

kitkat123 · May 2013

Hi love, I was told the same after they could not clear the margins on my second surgery. I insisted on the third, and they finally cleared the margins. I can not get my right side recond, and I am caved in. But, i am okay with it most of the time. I point due armpit, and it does hurt at times just keeping lotion on the scars. Good Luck! Hugs and Love, Kit a Sister

Breathdeep62 · May 2013

Thank you for your reply. It helps my spirits!

-Another sister

ballet12 · May 2013

Hi Breathdeep,

Hopefully the MRI will be helpful to you and your surgeon, to indicate if there is a lot more DCIS still present. Mine was also high grade and with necrosis, hopefully with any rogue cells taken care of by radiation. Best of luck. You could ask the surgeon (and a plastic surgeon) about the possibility of just doing the mastectomy and doing reconstruction later, if he thinks that you'd have more success with weight loss.

proudtospin · May 2013

I had 2 lumpies, they sent me to rads doc, he pulled another mamo, found more junk, back for the 3rd lumpie. then on to rads

5 years later, all is still clear! and the onco calls me clean

but I did start out with a DD, I do have LE now so the size of the boobie, actually a dif shape and just as big as before

Breathdeep62 · May 2013

Thanks for your reply. So glad you are clear!

What does LE mean?

Sueper1grl · September 2013

How long does it take to know if margins are clear? Do you have to go under general anesthesia each time?

Tdickinson · September 2013

I too had high grade DCIS, multifocal with necrosis. First lumpectomy did not get clear margins, I opted for BMX with TEs. I had that surgery on Wednesday. I received a phone call about the pathology on Friday and learned there was another area of DCIS in the cancer side, in a completely other area, that we knew nothing about. It did not show on the mammo or MRI so I made the right decision to have the cancer side removed. I would have been dealing with this all over again. Best of luck to you. You need to make decisions you are comfortable with, whatever those are. Once you decide, don't look back and question it.

Multiple lumpectomies

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