3 surgeries in 4 weeks - waiting, waiting...

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lindaj55
lindaj55 Member Posts: 6
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)


Hi! I am new to this site and very impressed with all the great information here. I was truly NOT ready for my diagnosis - no family history at all, but I am coming to terms.


So, in the last month I have had three surgeries to try and get clear margins - the last one was yesterday. Is this normal to have this many surgeries for DCIS? My surgeon keeps evading this question. I am so concerned about the outcome this time - will it be 3 time's the charm? Or three strikes and the breast comes off.....I won't find out for a few days. I'm told I will probably have radiation for 6 weeks and Tamoxifen for 5 years. I am ok with that but afraid the DCIS will come back. I guess right now I don't have too many questions - just wanted to sign in and join and posting something.


I am so impressed by the strength and composure I am reading here by others. Happy to be a part of this! Well, some days not happy, but dealing.... LOL


ps: Sorry if my questions or concerns are repetitive to some of the other threads.... honestly, there is so much information here that I am getting lost in it! :)

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  • ballet12
    ballet12 Member Posts: 981
    edited November 2013


    Hi Linda from Lowell (I know where that is):


    I had to do three lumpectomies, and the third was the charm. A breast surgeon I know through family (she's a neighbor of my mother--and very well known in the area) had one patient where the fourth was the charm (her words exactly). I hope you succeed with three.


    I had the first surgery done by a different surgeon who didn't "mark" or ink the margins, so maybe the second surgeon could have succeeded with only two procedures, but without the marked margins on pathology, she went in by "feel." Thankfully, she succeeded at three.


    About the six week radiation, ask about the Canadian Protocol. It involves only three weeks. The dosage is higher, but it's over quicker. I had it done at Memorial Sloan Kettering, so they know what they are doing.

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  • lindaj55
    lindaj55 Member Posts: 6
    edited November 2013


    Thanks ballet12!! I am feeling a little better about this....

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