ILC and LCIS (diagnosed yesterday)

Hi GracieGirl2016! We're so sorry you find yourself here, we know it's a lot to process. Your surgical decision is a very personal one, based on many different factors, and it's certainly hard to wrap your brain around it in these early days and weeks. We hope you get some clarity on possible options at your appointment tomorrow - the more info you gather over the coming days and weeks, the easier it will be to make decisions regarding your treatment. We're all here for you!

The Mods

I am sorry you need to be here. As others would probably agree these beginning stages are the worst. Hopefully your surgeon has more info on your pathology or an idea of when to expect it. My surgeon ordered my genetic testing prior to my surgery. I did initially have the choice between lumpectomy or mastectomy and it was so hard for me to consider the options. In the end the decision was made for me due to tumor size found on MRI. It is such a personal decision when there is a choice between the two. I found a lot of answers from this community but everyone’s story is unique. If it gets overwhelming to read through posts just stick to asking specific questions you might have. We are all here for you. I hope your meeting with the surgeon went well.

I am right there with you. I am recently diagnosed, and looking through these forums, I am overwhelmed by all the abbreviations and terminology. After the MRI and biopsy, my surgeon said the tumor involves the nipple, so I will lose the nipple during the lumpectomy, which freaks me out. I have also see the cosmetic surgeon - the two doctors work together - and the recommendation is a lift and reduction on the other side so that I match. I'm OK with that, a reduction of these DD's will make my life easier. Surgery is next week.

The tentative schedule will be 4 weeks of radiation, 5 days/week, after surgery. Luckily the hospital is a half mile away, so I can get the radiation without too much trouble.

Both doctors say I will go home the day of the surgery, and be up and around in a few days. I am taking two weeks off work. DOes two weeks off seem reasonable to anyone who has gone through this?

Thanks, Alice. I think the emotional recovery is going to take some time as well. I still wake up each morning thinking "I have cancer!" and I have to remind myself to just focus on what I have to do today.

two months post surgery - I had a lumpectomy, and a reduction and lift, to even out my appearance. Then 20 sessions of radiation. the surgery left me with some scars, under both breasts, which were kind of healing. Today, I notice that on the non-cancer breast, I seem to have developed a keloid. No experience with this, I am self-diagnosing at this point. I don't know if I should call my breast surgeon, my radiation oncologist, plastic surgeon, medical oncologist - or someone else. I just have a weird, shiny red raised part of the incision which looks different than it did before. Not that I look at it all the time, it's under my breast.

Though I get the idea that having symmetry is a good thing, at times I regret just going along with the doctors recommending the cosmetic surgery being done at the same time as the lumpectomy. My recovery would have been easier with less pain.

tinkerbell65, what did you decide - did you contact one of your providers to see what's going on with the possible keloid? Question for you too.. how soon after your surgery did you begin your radiation sessions?

I had what feels like a very positive exam & meeting with my surgeon today. The only thing I'm uncertain about is her not scheduling an MRI to see if there is anything else to be seen on images.. but I know that many surgeons don't order additional imaging if they don't think it's warranted. They measured what they could see on the ultrasound (and feel) at about 3cm. The plan is for a partial mastectomy and the.. "lift" you describe (i think?).. but we would wait on any reconstruction until after treatments are finished. I can live with that, she wants to minimize risks during these early weeks/months and get me through the priority surgery first. Radiation for sure she said. Anything after that, will be determined by what happens at surgery. Nov 18, so a little while to wait, but I'm also thankful to have a little time to "clear the decks" before all this kicks off.

I thank you both for your answers - even though every body has a different path, it's still good to read the similarities and have confidence in how this is all beginning. I feel a tremendous weight off, now that there is a plan.