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muzakmom1
muzakmom1 Member Posts: 41
edited September 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

We've finally made some decisions for surgery and will meet with the surgeon again on Friday to start scheduling. After reviewing all my options,  I've opted to have a bilateral mastectomy with immediate expanders and saline implants. 

It took a while to decide what to do, but after looking at my MRI results I realized that I have lost faith in the one thing that I thought would be my point of reference...mammograms!  The final straw for me came when the radiation Oncologist told me they needed to remove another 6 inches of DCIS from my right breast after the lumpectomy. 

My left breast doesn't show any new microcalcification,  but I wake up worrying if there is something that is undetected. My radiation oncologist and breast navigator have both told me I am not overreacting and no one could assure me that my left breast was fine. 

My husband is being so supportive and assures me that this is about me getting to a place of internal peace. 

I've had a array of emotions this week but at the end of the day,  I am blessed to be diagnosed with a disease that is curable and treatable. 

I love my breasts (like they are my m out favorite body part), but I'm preparing for life with Boobs...

I've started reading the other threads and trying to prepare for surgery expansion  and implants.   

Thank you so much for all the explanations of Stage0.  I'm thankful for a place to read and keep me from going over the ledge. 

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  • voraciousreader
    voraciousreader Member Posts: 7,496
    edited September 2014

    muz...post where you wish!  You will find support everywhere!  I wish you well as you move along on this journey!  Good luck with the surgery!

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  • Staple
    Staple Member Posts: 35
    edited September 2014

    I know that feeling.  I lost faith in mammograms also.  My MRI took me from lumpectomy to mastectomy.  My bilateral mastectomy took me from no problems on one side to something found that was benign and would have needed biopsy had anyone seen it.   I didn't have much attachment to my breast anyway so I found my peace quickly and never looked back.  I hope you are able to do the same.

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  • mefromcc
    mefromcc Member Posts: 188
    edited October 2014

    I, too, have lost confidence in whether any breast screening will catch another episode of BC in time. My mammogram showed microcalcifications, biopsy confirmed DCIS. Following MRI was showed no disease, but lumpectomy two weeks later showed more DCIS. I see my BS in 3 weeks at which time I'm going to request bilateral mastectomies. I just don't want to live with the uncertainty.

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  • muzakmom1
    muzakmom1 Member Posts: 41
    edited September 2014

    It's raining...Today marks 5 weeks since I lost my friend and I'm sad. Picked up the phone and called the grief counselor who facilitated sessions when my friend died and I have an appointment for next Monday. 

    I think I have a lot of grieving bottled up that I need to let go of. In the midst of all this diagnoses,  I seldom stop to think of my friend outside the context of comparing her anal and liver cancer (which are so polar opposite) to my diagnosis. 

    Did anyone grieve losing their breasts?  It is almost surreal, but I'm trying to imagine life and sex and standing in the mirror baked ever morning admiring my bidy... it is so scary. And sometimes I feel guilty for focusing on the cosmetic side effects when others seem to be dealing with so much more. I know I'm one of the lucky, UNLUCKY people!  But it still doesn't change the fact that I have cancer. 

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  • mrenee68
    mrenee68 Member Posts: 383
    edited September 2014

    muzakmom yes I grieved the loss of my left breast, I lost a part of my body and I miss it quite often. My body feels different and I now have aches and pains I did have before. I realize I am more than breasts but  they were still a part of me and I liked them the way they were. I decided to roll the dice and take my chances with only removing my DCIS breast, and I miss it dearly. I cried a lot and occasional I still have a bad moment and the tears flow. You to will grieve, but you will get through this, cry or so whatever you need to to get yourself to a place that you are ok. Take care.

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