DCIS diagnosis. All new to this, need help with anxiety!!

Options
2»

Comments

  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited August 2018

    LorBe, you may also find this section helpful to read: DCIS Treatment.

    You've found a great group here, and we welcome you warmly to our community.

    The Mods


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sunshine1970
    Sunshine1970 Member Posts: 18
    edited August 2018

    I am so thankful for this site. I had my lumpectomy last Monday and I see the oncologist Tuesday. Tomorrow I am going for genetic testing,not sure why but I am. I recieved my pathology report thru the patient portal and it says estrogen positive 100% and progesterone 98.3 % positive. Its intermediate grade dcis 8cm. When I spoke to my oncologist we discussed a mastectomy. I am 47 and have it in my left breast. But will be talking more to her about a double mastectomy without reconstruction. I'm scared and have so much anxiety but trying to stay busy. I still have alot of questions, do I need radiation after all this? And do I have to take the hormone medication even after a mastectomy?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • CK24
    CK24 Member Posts: 33
    edited August 2018

    Hi, Sunshine. That sounds really good, that it is so high in estrogen and progesterone. Those higher levels are associated with longer survival, if I have understood it correctly

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sunshine-Lady
    Sunshine-Lady Member Posts: 8
    edited September 2018

    Sunshine,

    I too have a large area of DCIS in my left breast (7 1/2 cm), er+ & pr+. I had a bilateral nsm due to the size of the area compared to my smaller breast size. However, this was what I had determined I wanted before meeting with my surgeon, but it was also her recommendation. I elected for a bilateral for reconstruction and to reduce risk of recurrence since I’m 40 and have a strong family history.

    It is recommended that I get radiation as the margin in one of my ducts was less than a mm. My oncologist later confirmed that recommendation although there isn’t much in the way of studies for risk. He indicated he thought that about a 10% recurrence risk was an accurate estimate. However, after radiation that’ll be the end of treatment for me. I do think that the need for radiation after mastectomy is rare, so I hope you don’t worry about that until you get your pathology from the surgery back.

    Sorry that you are going through this, I was extremely anxious as well. I felt some relief after the surgery in just knowing it was out

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kick0830
    Kick0830 Member Posts: 2
    edited October 2018

    This is my first post on this site (just signed up) and I was so happy to stumble upon this topic as I was just diagnosed in August after calcifications were found on my routine annual mammo. Calcifications span 5 cm.I'm 42. Biopsy found DCIS, Stage 0- ER+ PR+. MRI found another area of enhancement they were concerned about but the biopsy thankfully was benign. Genetic testing shows BRcA negative. I decided, after a 2nd opinion, to move forward with lumpectomy and radiation. I had the radioactive seed localization done on Thursday- wow! My lumpectomy is scheduled for Wednesday 10/17. Anyone else feel a bit weird/nauseous after the seed localization? I had 3 markers placed. I felt fine the day after but last 2 days a bit off. Its been a crazy 2 months since I was first told my mammo was abnormal. The strangest thing I've found is how I swing from feeling overwhelmingly positive and "in control" to feeling overwhelmed by it all .... Did I make the right decision by going lumpectomy vs mastectomy??? Both surgeons I saw didn't plan to take a node- is that the right call?? I went through 6 unsuccessful rounds of IVF a few years ago and although multiple Drs have told me there is no literature supporting any connection- did I somehow do this to myself???? Anxiously awaiting Wednesday and praying that they get clean margins and that what they find is in fact Stage 0. For any who made it through this long rambling post ... Thanks for listening

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 32B
    32B Member Posts: 238
    edited October 2018

    I was diagnosed with DCIS in February, had a mastectomy on one side, and am pleased to report that less than a year later I feel happy, healthy, and very, very lucky. Even the scars are fading. Sending good thoughts to everyone newly diagnosed. It's a scary time, and your life will never be quite the same, but you'll be shocked to find how much strength and bravery you have.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ellyn27
    Ellyn27 Member Posts: 147
    edited October 2018

    I was diagnosed w/DCIS on one side around 6/2017. One surgeon suggested a double mastectomy with reconstruction. I spoke with a few friends and was trying to think positive .... I'd tell my friends that when I become 80 I'd have perky boobs while theirs would be hanging. Then I went for a second opinion and that surgeon said there was no need for mastectomy in my situation. I ended up having a lumpectomy and radiation. I've been taking anastrazole for about 11 months now. I was hesitant to take it because I heard it could cause weight gain. My oncologist told me that my hospital had a 6 month weight loss for wellness program starting. So, I agreed to take the meds, did the program, started exercising, and lost 30 lbs over 8 months. This diagnosis scared the poop out of me and was enough for me to start thinking seriously about my health. I cook healthier, eat at home more and I'm feeling great. Yes, I will have sagging boobs when I'm 80 but I've accepted that haha!!!  Everyone is different and I think our attitude determines how we deal with it. I didn't want to tell anyone at first. Even though it was early stage, it's still cancer and it's still VERY scary. I still had the surgery, radiation and meds and I cried many nights. So go ahead and feel any way you darn want to and celebrate every single day. I'll stop preaching now haha!!!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories