Lumpectomy

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Kim1970
Kim1970 Member Posts: 10
edited December 2017 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

Hello I completed a lumpectomy last Tuesday , i called the Dr. office to see if they received the results of pathology , they advised they only had a verbal thus far and what appears to be a couple of margins , Im waiting for the Dr to return my call to get the full report , im thinking the worse . does anybody know if i elect to have a masectomy ,what is the down time

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  • chronicpain
    chronicpain Member Posts: 385
    edited December 2017

    Most docs recommend at least a month down to heal from mastectomy, but some people need longer, others bounce back quicker, depends on your work type and other risks

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited December 2017

    Hi Kim,

    In addition to chronicpain's advice, you may want to check out the main Breastcancer.org site's page on Mastectomy: What to Expect, specifically the After Mastectomy and the At-Home Recovery sections, which give typical timelines for recovery.

    We hope this helps!

    --The Mods

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  • MTwoman
    MTwoman Member Posts: 2,704
    edited December 2017

    Kim, since you're posting under the DCIS forum, I'm going to assume that you've already gotten that part of the diagnosis (if you update your personal stats and make them public, it will help us to give you more useful info). If you haven't already, you may want to read through this really informative thread: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/68/topics/806074?page=1

    it is about lx vs mx. It is a big question, and one that shouldn't be taken lightly or done in response to anxiety. We do know how anxiety provoking waiting can be. I do hope you get best news possible soon!

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  • Kim1970
    Kim1970 Member Posts: 10
    edited December 2017

    The DR called me and stated there were 4 margins still , its still non evasive but cant be untreated , we are scheduling another lumpectomy to remove some more tissue , if this tissue returns for more margins then the discussion of a masectomy will take place .

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  • MTwoman
    MTwoman Member Posts: 2,704
    edited December 2017

    Do you mean that there were positive margins? (meaning there were dcis cells on 'ink' or edges of the tissue removed) and that it is still non invasive? (meaning pure dcis) What can happen when someone has positive margins, is a re-excision Aprox. 25% of lumpectomies result in an excision, but 11% need 2 or more to get clean margins. It is frustrating, but bc can't be seen with the eye, so surgeons are a bit blind in the OR. It is best to get it all out, as radiation is meant to clean up stray cells, not portions of bc not removed. Sorry you're having to have another surgery!

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  • Kim1970
    Kim1970 Member Posts: 10
    edited December 2017

    Im so over whelmed by all of this . what the Dr stated is that we can go in and gather more tissue followed by hormone therapy and radiation . providing the margins are clean .

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  • MTwoman
    MTwoman Member Posts: 2,704
    edited December 2017

    Yes. That does happen in about 25% of lumpectomies. That is difficult, as you have to go through surgery again, but it doesn't make your diagnosis worse. DCIS is very treatable. I am now 15 years NED. Try your best to practice good self care: getting plenty of relaxation and sleep, good nutrition, distract yourself when you get too anxious, and spend time with people who love you and make you feel good. You can get through this! We are here to help as best we can. Is there something you need right now?

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