Topic: DCIS and surgery

Lauire,

It is a radical decision and I made the same. Maybe, if you haven't already, check out the reconstruciton thread. There's different types of reconstruction with pros and cons on each - but there will be one right for you. I had a DIEP 3 months ago. It was a long haul but I'm whole again!

Good luck.

Jenny J. 

julie

what kind of implants did you get?  I too am getting a bilat and I have not seen my ps yet but my surgeon told me I would need expanders.  I am a C cup too.  who knows?

julie

thank you, I will let you know.  I wouldnt mind skipping the whole expander thing if I could.  I cant wait till this is all done and I can exhale alittle.

I am also considering this double mastectomy with reconstruction.  I see the plastic surgeon next week.  My DCIS is also grade 3 and I just don't want to mess with this ever again--nor do I really want radiation.  Thank you for sharing your journey here.  I don't feel as alone now.  I also, didn't know anyone personally who has been through this decision (DCIS and how to treat it) before. 

Jodi, Good luck with your upcoming doctor's appointments.  Keep us posted on your decision.  You are fortunate to have a supportive husband (this helps A LOT).   I do not think it sounds silly to have spent a great deal of time researching on the internet.  I too spent hours and hours researching, trying to find something that would help me make my decision.   You will be in my thoughts and prayers.  Julie

Laurie-

I'm not sure if you made your final decision yet.  I just wanted to give you my input.  I don't know if you have read another thread of mine or not, but I had a large amount of dcis, 2 lumpectomies, rads and now tamoxifen.  I was 37 at dx last year.  Had we known that I had that much dcis to remove prior to the second lumpectomy, I would have opted for a double mast.  In retrospect, I wish I had a double mast because I need recon and a radiated breast does not do well with reconstruction.   I also have a suspicious area in my other breast (though only mildly suspicious) that I am going in for a 2nd mri on in october.   With a lumpectomy, you always have to worry about a reoccurance....and the opposite side is the most at risk.

There are pros and cons to both options.  I want you to know that radiation is not all that bad and it certainly is easier than a mastectomy.  I have a family member who had a double mast and although it's totally doable, it's a major surgery.  She is fine and doing great, but I don't think anyone would tell you it's easy.  Radiation sounds more scary than it is.  I did have some burning issues, but I still don't look back at it as a horrible thing.  It's more time consuming than anything....going every day.  I think you need to look at the size of your dcis first and go from there.  Also, if you would ever consider having reconstruction, radiation is not the best option in my opinion.  Ultimately, a reoccurance is what we all want to avoid...talk to your surgeon/onc about your fears and concerns. 

thank you for your story.  I feel like I made the right decision (bilat mast), but I do tend to secound guess myself out of pure fright!!!!!  I am going to my ps this friday and will see my oncologist the following weds.  Ive read SO MUCH info that I dream about it.  I want to avoid further operations in my future.  My microcalcification grew in one year and formed cancer.  My dr. did tell me that even if the cancer doesnt come back (after lump and rads} my calsicication prbably will and I will WORRY.....I know I feel like a broken recored.  Just trying to grip my reality:<} 

thank you sooooo much for being apart of my mind restoration:<}

Jodi

Wow Laurie reading your story well I could have written just those words!  Everything and I too made the difficult decision to have a bi-lateral.  But before I made that decision the anxiety was so intense I started to loose my hair, what was left turned grey  I don't think I sleeped through the night for 2 months, my emotions were all over the place.

It is a difficult decision and I remember thinking what if I don't make it through this surgery, here I am trying to save my life and I have to go under general anethetics and I may have cut it short by doing that!  It is an incredible frightening thing.  But ultimately the anxiety of the possibility of the cancer returning after a lump. was too much for my mind to comprehend and so I made the decision.  I also wanted to avoid radiation if possible and I was lucky enough to do just that.  My initial response was good actually I was going to wait and watch, but when I started to see all the surgeons and doc's to get opinions I was scared into it.  I can say more than a year later and 6 months after final silicone implant I don't believe I made a mistake with the bi-lateral only with the selection of my first ps.  So if you do decide to have a bi-lateral interview lots of ps (I interviewed 4 all together and that wasn't enough).. 

I'm sorry about your needing to be here and I wish you all the best in your decision making - I'll be thinking about you!

Best

Marian

ijl, did your insurance cover the genetic testing & are you saying you do not carry the gene? My mother & at least 2 second cousins had breast cancer & I would like to consider genetic testing