Jan 28, 2014 10:57PM KLJ wrote:

Bluewillows, I wasn't offered an MRI after having a mammogram that showed something suspicious. It was recommended that I have a follow-up mammo in 6 months. I wasn't satisfied with that and demanded am MRI. Funny thing is my MRI showed cancer in the other breast not the "suspicious" breast. The surgeon that I am now seeing said that she feels that every woman should have MRI's not just mammograms. Had I not demanded the MRI I still would not know that I am walking around with cancer in me. And now I am on the road of getting rid of it! So anything that makes someone aware of an MRI being an option is a good thing. I can't count how many people I have told "if they see something suspicious demand an MRI".

Feb 13, 2014 09:04PM motherofone wrote:

Hello all,

   I'm new to this and just finding threads that apply to my situation.  What wonderful sources of information you all are.  I've been diagnosed with DCIS.  I wasn't given the numerical detail many of you know, but she did say stage 0.  I've been to two surgeons and have selected the one we will use.  The suggestion is lumpectomy, radiation, tamoxefin.  I have small breasts and understand that a lumpectomy will take out quite a chuck, so my husband and I are seeing a plastic surgeon on Tuesday to select the best course of action.  If I do mastectomy, I do not have to do radiation.  Can't sleep at night over this decision.  I know we need to make ti next week and schedule surgery.  Never thought I was that attached to my breasts until this. I'm feeling guilty about everything.  Guilty that I'm being such a wimp about something that is curable and guilty that I'm even concerned about what my body looks like after this ordeal.

   I've only read the first page of this thread.  I've got lots more to read, but I thought I'd share my situation.

   Thank you.

Feb 13, 2014 09:50PM beesie.is.out-of-office wrote:

motherofone,

Sorry that you have to be here, but I'm glad that you've found us.

If you decide that you really would prefer to have a mastectomy, then go for it.  But don't feel that you 'should' do it, or that it's a better treatment.  It's not.  If your doctors have told you that a lumpectomy + rads is available to you as a treatment option, then it is a reasonable option for you.  

A mastectomy has lifelong implications.  It's not something to do because you think you 'should'.  And if you are considering having a MX mostly for cosmetic reasons - because of your concern that the appearance of your breast affected by the surgery - consider that a reconstructed breast has no natural feeling, and an implant reconstructed breast has no natural movement (although because the implant is behind the pec muscle, a reconstructed breast can have some pretty unnatural movements).  Before you make a decision to have a MX for cosmetic reasons, take a look a pictures of reconstruction, and not just the perfect pictures that a plastic surgeon might show you. 

Here are some pictures that are posted on breastcancer. org: Pictures of Breast Reconstruction

And here is another site with pictures: Breast Reconstruction Pictures

If you do decide that you want to have a mastectomy, do your homework so that you know what to expect, and what the potential problems might be.  Hopefully things go well but you don't want to be surprised if you do encounter any of the common problems or side effects / after effects.

Feb 13, 2014 10:24PM beesie.is.out-of-office wrote:

TB90, that's a really good point.  It's important to know, heading into a lumpectomy, that in about 20% of cases, clear margins aren't achieved with the first surgery.  If that happens, a second surgery will be necessary, either a re-excision (another lumpectomy) or a MX.  It's also important to know that rads might be recommended even after a MX, if the margins are close (and for those who have invasive cancer, for other reasons as well, such as the size of the area of invasive cancer and the number of positive nodes).

It's also important to know, in choosing between a lumpectomy and a MX, that a MX with reconstruction usually means at least 2 surgeries, and sometimes 3 or even 4.  I believe that about 30% of reconstruction patients require revision surgery. 

motherofone, do you have a copy of the mammogram report and the pathology report from the biopsy?  Those reports will have important information about your cancer that can help you with your decision. Have the surgeons you've talked to given you an estimate of the size of the cancer?  Do you know if you have DCIS in just one area (a single focus) or more than one area (multi-focal)? And have you had an MRI?  After a diagnosis of DCIS, an MRI can help provide an estimate of the size of the area of DCIS - and this is a big factor in whether a lumpectomy is likely to result in clear margins.

Feb 14, 2014 04:38AM sandcastle wrote:

Motherofone....MOST important.....listen to yourself.....don't let people confuse YOU.....you have wonderful support....and that is YOUR husband...Liz