Do you regret having a lumpectomy for DCIS?

I can completely relate - I was 45, and have two daughters who were 12 and 9 at the time I was diagnosed. I too lost weight from the stress. All I can tell you is that you are in the absolutely worst part - you know something is wrong but you don’t yet have a plan about what to do about it. I promise that it will get better. Once you have decided on a treatment plan, the feelings get much more manageable. Hang in there!

Which part of NJ are you from? I’m in Mercer County ...

JerseyRenee, I feel the same way as you do. I too was diagnosed recently 10/14 and I too wanted the mastectomy right off the bat but not a double. That thought did crosed my mind though. I'm reading on anything to everything about DCIS the hardest thing is to decipher what is acceptable and right for me. These ladies are very wise and we need to explore all our options so we can make the best decision for ourselves.

MKTCA:

I have appt tomorrow with Oncologist then genetic counselor. Thursday is Breast Surgeon. You are right! I have done so much research on DCIS! It is overwhelming & such a scary decision what is best!

I read stories it recurs, then I read stories once it removed women are fine! This is where it becomes a hard decision! Do you negotiate with this type of cancer!??

Pace yourself, JerseyRenee! This stuff has a tendency to take a while. I gave myself breast-cancer breaks here and there. No research, no discussion board, and as little worry as I could manage for a day or two. It's nice to smell the roses and feel normal for a little while. I have no regrets about trying the lumpectomies first. I know I did all I could to avoid the larger surgery. The night of lumpectomy #2 I was tidying up the kitchen one-armed. Just know that you can do this, and when it's in the rear-view mirror, the simple things in life take on a special sweetness.

JerseyRenee

I only saw my oncologist once and I was given the diagnosis that day. I was completely shocked and had one of those out of body experience. I did managed to listen as he explain to me what was diagnosis through my mammograms, ultrasound and pathology. I don't think they'll fully know until they open me up. I have a plastic surgeon appt next week and another appt with my oncologist the following. I'm just compiling a lists of questions for them. I still have no clue which treatment is best for me. In fact this has been so overwhelming that I took several days break from this and just continued as if nothing happened. I think that was my "denial" stage.

I feel the same as you, that cancer (but they called it "pre-cancer") is taking away part of me. I do have an advantage that a lot of ladies don't. My diagnosis is stage 0 and my DCIS size is relatively small 6mm so I can say that I'll live through this but it sure will a bumpy road ahead for sure.

MKTCA:

Trying to message you! Not sending!! Saying I can only send a certain amount a day but none went through at all today!

proudtospin

I finally got it! I just composed a new message & worked. Thanks

I'm hoping you find the energy for a little costuming too, Jersey! Any minute of normalcy is a minute of giving cancer the finger.

well that sounds good, I suggest you need to keep busy so you do not dwell on things too much.

Wonder Woman sounds like a great costume for you! You will enjoy all the little people that come to your door!

I LOVE Halloween.....We have our house Loaded with CobWebs.....a talking Witch outside a Fog Machine....A taking Telephone if you Dare to pick it up and Talk....and to top it OFF....I live in South Jersey in a Adult Community!! Liz

A lumpectomy does not have to disfigure a person.  My daughter had an excisional biopsy to remove an egg sized (I don't know the cm size) fibroadenoma when she was 17 (3 years ago) and there is no noticeable change to how her breasts look.  I have had 4 excisional biopsies, 6 core needle biopsies, and 1 fine needle aspiration with no change to how my breasts look.  When I was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and had my double lumpectomy in my left breast, my plastic surgeon said that I would be disfigured because they would have to remove 12cm of tissue.  My plastic surgeon did a breast reduction to my right breast and a breast lift.  My breasts look great.  (I think that an excisional biopsy and a lumpectomy are the same thing except that it is called an excisional biopsy if no breast cancer is found and it is called a lumpectomy if breast cancer is found.)  No doctor will/should let you become disfigured from a lumpectomy.

Good luck with your tx and with your decision.  Good luck to everyone else here.

sandcastle:

that sounds awesome!!! Have a Happy Halloween!!!!

🎃👻🍂🎃👻

MKTCA:

Happy Halloween!!!!!!! 🎃👻🎃👻🎃

I'm, in the same boat - lumpectomy on October 16th, pathology came back DCIS, ER+, category 3 with some comedonecrosis....surgeon didn't expect cancer so she has to go back in to get a deeper margin. This all started 08/28with an unusual spot on my regular mammogram. Was invited back on 09/11 for diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound. Invited back for FNA. Two tumors drained (and refilled within 48 hours) and pathology indicated atypical cells. Sent to breast surgeon, made plans for surgery October 16th. Pathology as described above. Surgeon wanted me to do MRI which I did this morning, and meeting with the surgeon Friday for MRI results and further surgical plans. Again waiting for results. If MRI results yield nothing, then I deal with this DCIS margin and radiology followed by estrogen blockers. Worried about radiology as I have a heart issue, and from what I've read radiology can have adverse effects on heart and lungs....

Do I need to discuss the comedonecrosis with my surgeon? She never mentioned it but I found it while going through the pathology report with a fine tooth comb. Does it change the usual treatment regimen for DCIS? What about the cat 3? Though the two tumors floated up high in my right breast, the surgeon had to dig down to the muscle wall to remove them. Does that make a difference?

So many treatment options - how does one choose? I won't regret at least having had the lumpectomy. So afraid the MRI will show more to deal with and I might have to make bigger decisions. Any advice?

this is where I still get uptight with upcoming tests! My MRI Thursday! Worried they find more or better yet after my BMX. My Surgeon didnt seem to think anything else would be found but I have come to realize Cancer can be full of surprises so until my surgery I will just be uptight! Ugh!!

What else could be found on my MRI especially with dense breasts? I did have 3D mammo & they felt it showed an accurate finding.