Ok, I've read that everyone has had a bad night, i need a pep talk. The mast is scheduled for next week. I've been up since 3am, worrying about everything, now I have to go wake up my kids for school like nothing's going on,etc. I am worried I waited too long to schedule the surgery, but has not even been a month since diagnosed. I guess I just need some kind words. Now I have to get ready for work, too! Thanks for listening!
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ashaby Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 206 |
May 6, 2008 07:59 am
ashaby wrote:
It's the waiting and the "pre" everything that drives us all nuts. I like to imagine it's all behind me and everything turned out well. But you got my empathy! Be sweet to yourself till next week. Movie? Pedicure? Long talk with close friend?
Dx 4/4/2007, DCIS, 6cm+, Stage 0, Grade 2, 0/0 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2- |
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louishenry Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 205 |
May 6, 2008 08:11 am
louishenry wrote:
Hi Daphne. You haven't waited too long at all. Just dx on 4/17? I think it's actually moved along pretty quick! Pure dcis is not dangerous; you have some time to think things through and make the best decision for you. I did not have a mastectomy, but those first few weeks/months were just awful. It's all so scary. All the what ifs!!! It sounds like you have a plan. I know you will get through this! Keep us posted. Nada Dcis May 2007, 4mm, low to intermediate grade, no rads er / pr +. Tamoxifen September 2007
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Psyche Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 12 |
May 6, 2008 08:25 am
Psyche wrote:
When I was going through that time, I kept busy and made the diagnosis secondary in my life. I continued going to my college classes (I'm a late bloomer). I took advantage of a gentle, low-dose sleep aid that my doctor offered. And I kept active...exercise is essential; humor works wonders whether it is a friend who teases and plays or a good funny movie. Spend time with your children: go to the mall, the movies, a play, the park. These are all wonderful distractions that pass the time for you. |
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DAPHNESPLAC… Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 40 |
May 6, 2008 08:27 am
DAPHNESPLACE wrote:
Thanks for the kind words! I just keep thinking " what if" this & "what if" that..I feel like I no longer have a future to look to, just live for today. I think now I'm afraid of, what if it's not the pure DCIS? Are the sterotactic biopsies pretty accurate? My path report said "no sign of invasion". I kept repeating that to myself last night. My sister did give me a gift card for a pedicure, so I will make time for that this week! |
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JustTurnedF… Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 190 |
May 6, 2008 08:57 am
JustTurnedForty wrote:
I waited 6 months from diagnoses to surgery, so please don't think you've waited to long. It really will be ok. Keep busy, clean, get everything ready for when you are in the hospital, walk, enjoy Spring! Janine, who is now 41
Dx 1/15/2007, DCIS, Stage 0, 0/3 nodes |
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laynel57 Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 341 |
May 6, 2008 09:06 am
laynel57 wrote:
I was dx'd with DCIS (Grade 3, comedonecrosis) on July 16 from a stereotactic biopsy and had my first surgery on August 14. I had a re-excision on September 4 (a matter of geometry, not true dirty margins). My bs was very comforting about it -- he said that even in the very most aggressive invasive cancers one has about a month ... for DCIS, I could've put it off until after a cruise we were planning at the end of September (yeah -- NOT!). I started rads October 1. Yes, the waiting is excruciating -- I had to wait a month for the stereotactic biopsy after the radiologist said it looked suspicious in there. While I was scared (OK, I was terrified out of my mind -- picture the painting "The Scream" and you'll have my internal state!), I forged ahead doing normal things because life didn't stop. And I comforted myself with the fact that I now knew about it and was Doing Something. I like to know everything, so I spent hours researching -- but that isn't for everyone. And I made a plan for every eventuality (if I had to have a mast, if they discovered invasive in the lumpectomy, if I had to have chemo), because that comforts me. Once I have a plan, I'm good. Keeping physically active was good, too -- less time to think if you're busy busy busy. It does work. And talk to us and ask questions. We're here with you! Layne "Hit it with a sledgehammer until it submits or dies ...."
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lvtwoqlt Joined: May 2007 Posts: 2390 |
May 6, 2008 09:14 am
lvtwoqlt wrote:
Daphne, It is perfectly normal to second guess the what if's. I had my stero biopsy for DCIS April 25 last year got the call April 27, and had several appointments with PS and BS before my surgery June 1. It was a little over a month before I had my surgery after dx. The two doctors could not get their schedules aligned before then. The surgery removed all the cancer and I am finished with my reconstruction. The night before my surgery, I was second-guessing my decision to wait the month to have the bilat mast with recon rather than have surgery sooner and do the recon at a later time. My surgeons both say that I am doing great. Sheila We are like tea bags, we don't know how strong we are until we were thrown into hot water. Eleanore Roosevelt
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roseg Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 7479 |
May 6, 2008 09:43 am, edited May 6, 2008 09:44 AM
by roseg
roseg wrote:
It's normal to worry. Try not to. A month is just fine. A person probably shouldn't wait years, but DCIS isn't life threatening. You will not be feeling like carrying things after your surgery. This is a good time to clean and lay in groceries. I'm a total caffeine addict so I busied myself in the last week ramping down my caffeine intake so I wouldn't be miserable the day of my surgery. It's trite, but it kept me occupied. Try to think of other things! Rose
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kes Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 401 |
May 6, 2008 10:41 am
kes wrote:
I had 3 months between diagnosis and surgery. Did bilat mast with reconstruction. Also had DCIS. Surgery needed both BS and PS in the OR and then it was Christmas and New Years, so scheduling was a problem. I kept really really busy with work, small child and social things. Did rip into my husband once and let off a lot of steam. It was difficult. Try and get your house ready for post op because you probably won't be able to do any heavy lifting. Get grocery shopping, and laundry and any yard work done. Spend time with your husband and kids. Kerry |
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DAPHNESPLAC… Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 40 |
May 6, 2008 05:19 pm
DAPHNESPLACE wrote:
I cannot express how uplifting it was to come home from work to all these great comments. I feel better already. I think the lack of sleep had a lot to do with the meltdown this morning. I have to go forward & stop thinking every other pain I have is more cancer. Thank you all so much for the kind words. |
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