Lobular Carcinoma In Situ / Worried Husband

Dear hubby,

It's so great that you are looking for ways to support your wife on this crazy roller coaster. With the extensive family history of cancer has your wife had genetic testing? If it's positive the Drs might recommend follow ups or surgeries for other possible problems.

Like you, my husband doesn't care if I have breasts or not. I still "flash" him and he says woo hoo, pretending I still have great looking boobs. (I'm flat, no reconstruction) We look for ways to inject humor in the middle of all this cancer stress. Just keep reminding your wife how beautiful she is, no matter what. Buy her chocolate and flowers

There are threads on flap reconstruction that you and your wife can read. Yes, additional surgery can cause problems but if you are well informed you can make the best decisions.

Warmest wishes to you both.

Hi, sorry for the late reply, don't know if this will even be read but here goes. In May I was diagnosed with LCIS after a biopsy. I too have a family history, quite a large one and I myself have had many issues starting when I found my first tumor at the age of 19. So you know, I'm almost 50 now. After the biopsy and diagnosis, I struggled with it for a week and talked to my husband and family, although they all agreed that ultimately the decision was mine. I did finally decide to have a mastectomy. I had no idea though that the breast surgeon was going to throw me for another loop a few days later with the likely hood that it would show up in the other breast. After generic testing, I decided that yes, I would do the bilateral mastectomy. I then met with the plastic surgeon who fortunately was patient with me and all my questions. I had spent the days between appointments doing what any of us would and that was trying to educate myself on the internet. So when I went in, I told the plastic surgeon that I wanted to do the tram flap, that I just thought it would be better to use my own skin. He explained that not only would there be longer down time, as far as from work and activities, but the pain time would be doubled. Also, don't forget the additional scaring. He then mentioned something that I had not seen in all my internet searches. My plastic surgeon said that you also ran the risk of the tissue failing and dieing. Then you are back to square one and you still have to suffer from the added incisions. So..my surgery is scheduled for August 16th for the bilateral mastectomy and I'll ultimately have implants when it's time. As for the surgery, they are planning on removing three lymph nodes under my left arm prior to the surgery and is they look okay, they'll go on as planned and remove the breasts. Sparring the skin, then the plastic surgeon will come in and put in the tissue expanders but it does there for about a month. The drains have to come out and healing has to start before the expanders start being expanded. Another thing my plastic surgeon said that I didn't expect was that he could make me new nipples. He puckers the skin at the area where the nipple should be and, I don't know but I saw 8 x 10 color glossies and they looked great. Then he tattoos the aeola on around it. Couldn't tell the difference. I won't say I'm not scared because I would be lying. I have my moments when I can't hold it in any longer and I start to cry. But I also now that attitude is everything, so I am trying to do what I can to stay positive and smile. Now, August 17th, I might find it hard but for now I'm smiling at you all and hope tomorrow is brighter for us all.

Thanks,

MichelleSav

Hello. Michelle just described what I have been through since my diagnosis in January. It has been a whirlwind as I had my bilateral mastectomy in February and the implants replaced the expanders in April. I am almost finished with my 3 months of chemotherapy and can hardly believe it. I dealt with my terror using tunnelvision. My family urged me to remove both breasts, they love me and it is easy to say that. I did have sadness, losing my nipples, realizing the impact of this amputation, it is emotional. My breasts "look" great, but they don't 'feel" great. However, I am alive, I can wear clothes with a little curve, I will get them tattooed eventually, and I am staying positive. I "really" tried to avoid chemo, I went through 3 oncologists, but because I am HER2+ which is an aggressive gene, I opted to go for the insurance against recurrance. I hope your wife decides to go safe for her sake and yours. I vividly remember battling in my mind, the pros and cons, people who don't do anything and survive...but I am happy to say I have no regrets for my decision. Nobody wants to get cancer, but there are wonderful options out there for us in this day and age and we can not only survive but be strong and beautiful. She is lucky to have your support. My husband has been a Godsend since the day I met him. Keep doing what you are doing. I am happy to talk directly to her if she likes.

Juliana

Dx: Stage 1, Grade 1, ER+, PR+, HER2+

Surgery: Bilateral mastectomy, .5cm in right breast, tissue expanders

Surgery: Breast reconstruction: expander replaced with anatomical implants

Therapy: Chemotherapy of Taxol/Herceptin, 12 weekly sessions to be followed by 13 monthly Herceptin

Hi I can't answer your specific questions I'm afraid but I had LCIS diagnosed this year and would be very pleased indeed if my other half had your approach! Your care and concern for your wife is so evidence. She is lucky to have you.