11cm DCIS surgery in 2 weeks ... please advise !!!

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roby7
roby7 Member Posts: 55
edited November 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

Hi,

I am not a native English speaker so please forgive my poor writing :) I am 35 years old and a mom of three kids

On 2012 I sent a post here but I lost the account it was about Ibc my breast was painful and itchy .the dr didn't do a biopsy but the ultrasound was ok. I weaned my twins a year and half ago but I noticed that I still have milk and sometimes clogged milk duct then when I express some milk it become better I asked the dr ( breast surgeon)and she said I am ok I did 2 ultrasound last two years and went to the dr several times. On October this year I went to my gynecologist for regular check up I told her that I still have milk and my right breast is hard like I have a clogged duct milk. The outer quarter is like a rock with my veins out. She felt it and said this is not good she made me go to the breast surgeon the same day. The surgeon ordered ultrasound, mammogram, and did a core biopsy at the end of the week I received my results. I have extensive DCIS grade 2 and they think it is 11 cm ( mass with clusters calcification on films ) I did an MRI and they said the same but the left breast had an area of concern. Without too much details and after several biopsies it has fibrocystic changes ( I had this since collage) + fibroadenomas + usual ductal hyperplasia. They put 4 titanium markers inside it and said it needs follow up. After a lot of waiting and appointments ........etc and 2 surgeons opinions this is the whole situation.

1- they will do a mastectomy on the right.

2- I don't have brca1,2 but I have family history.

3- after talking with 2 plastic surgeons I prefer DIEP flap.

4- my surgery will be in two weeks.

After they decided the surgery time I feel panicked. It is like some one showered me with very cold water:)

I need advice.

1- when the dr decides to give chemo now they said the mri is ok but may be we find something after surgery that need chemo.

2- what I need to pack for hospital and what I wear for diep flap.

3- how is the recovery and how long is it ?

4- I got second opinion and we decided the second surgeon will do the surgery as he is in insurance network should I tell my first surgeon or send an email she is very nice and very good dr and I feel guilty for leaving her am I crazy :)

5- I lost a lot of weight lately and they said my tummy fat is less than my size may be I will need fat grafting after how can I hide this after surgery ?? One breast will be smaller.

6- does chemo affect the reconstructed breast ..???

Sorry for long post I always read your posts but I was shocked and couldn't write till now

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited November 2014

    Hi Roby, and welcome to Breastcancer.org. We're sorry you have to be here for this reason, but very glad you found this wonderful community.

    Until other members come along to post with their own experiences and advise, we recommend you to read some of the information on our main site related with surgery and more, like:


    Here in the boards there is a topic that you may find very helpful to read/join too. It is called DIEP 2014, and there you'll find a large list of members from many different locations who are going or have gone through the same type of surgery. Besides reading what questions and experiences others have had about the surgery, you can also be added to the list. Just read the very first post of the thread here and follow the instructions of member jmb5, who kindly runs this list: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/44/topic/...


    We hope this helps. Keep us posted on how your doing.

    The Mods

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  • roby7
    roby7 Member Posts: 55
    edited November 2014

    thanks for the links and articles they are sure a help I hope to know members experiences too thanks again

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  • roby7
    roby7 Member Posts: 55
    edited November 2014

    should I put my post in another section

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  • Morwenna
    Morwenna Member Posts: 1,063
    edited November 2014

    Sorry nobody else has responded. Not an expert myself, but maybe I can help a little?

    Firstly, often the diep/flap reconstructed breast can end up a different size, although they do what they can to match up. If the recon breast is smaller and doesn't have the natural "droop", the solution is often to do a reduction and lift on the "good" side.

    I don't believe chemo would affect the diep, although radiotherapy can. I suppose it is conceivable that the path results after your surgery will indicate a need for chemo, but your doctors don't seem to expect this, so let's hope it ain't so!!

    As to recovery time, it varies from person to person, but you might like to ask that question in one of the breast reconstruction threads, or start your own?

    I am hoping for flap reconstruction early in January myself, but I finished all my active treatment over a year ago. I am envisaging taking 6-8 weeks off work, as I have quite a physical job, involving driving and work as a physiotherapist. Normally you have to limit your activities for the first six weeks, which is the average healing time for many tissues!

    What else ...... Oh I would definitely take your what to wear, what to take to hospital etc to the Diep 2014 thread.

    Good luck!!

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  • roby7
    roby7 Member Posts: 55
    edited November 2014

    Hi Morwenna,

    Thanks a lot for your reply. I know that chemo is a possibility. I am in pain already I don't know is it from the cancer or fibrocystic changes but it very painfull. The dr said may be the hard mass pressing on a nerve or a muscle. Also I am a big size 38 and lost a lot of weight lately so my twins belly don't have enough fat for same size. I don't know what I will do to fix that. I am not working but I have toddler twins and a kid that need a lot of work:) congratulation for finishing treatment I like tissue transfer idea more than implants. I will tell you my experiences. After surgery and I hope it is a good one:)

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  • Lisamarie6864
    Lisamarie6864 Member Posts: 24
    edited November 2014

    hi rob7

    Good luck with your surgery In a couple weeks. Sorry you have to go through all of this. Hang in there you will do just fine. I had different surgery than you but it's all scary . Let us know how it all goes. ((Hugs))

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  • roby7
    roby7 Member Posts: 55
    edited November 2014

    THANKS Lisamarie68 !!!

    Hi all,

    I preparing for my surgery tomorrow it was 

    A crazy week they.decided to do the diep later so if I have chemo it will not affect the healing. I am busy cleaning shopping and do

    laundry 



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