Re: Diagnosed DCIS on Dec 4

[Guest guest]

Hi Mazzy,

Welcome to the group. I had infiltrating ductal carcinoma. They took 23

nodes with one involved. I had 6 mo of chemo but no radiation and no

reconstruction. I am a 13 1/2 yr survivor.

Please feel free to ask any questions, share or vent. We are all here for

one another.

Hugs

nne

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Diagnosed DCIS on Dec 4

> I'm scheduled for a modified radical mastectomy on December 30th.

> What a roller coaster ride it's been since December 4th. I'm 54 with

> 3 children, 2 grown and age 28 and 33... and my youngest son who is

> 10 yrs old. Along with this, I am also a polio survivor (polio at

> age 7 in 1956) and diagnosed with post-polio syndrome in 1987 which

> put me back in a wheelchair. My surgeon said this is an " early "

> cancer so hopefully I will have the strength to get through this. I

> don't know yet if I will have to have chemo. He said if I chose a

> lumpectomy I would need radiation, but most likely will not with the

> mastectomy. I went for my pre-testing today, and also talked to the

> breast cancer coordinator who put me in touch with our local support

> group. I haven't had much chance to talk with anyone though,

> everyone is so busy with the holidays I imagine. I'm concerned about

> the " drain " he mentioned and wondered how others faired with that.

> I'm also very concerned about how quickly my arm will get back to

> normal (I'm having lymph nodes removed) since I depend on my arms so

> much. I'm glad I found this group, and hope to get to know some of

> you better. I've been reading some of the messages, and I'm

> encouraged by your spirit.

> Loving, caring, healing thoughts to all,

> Mazzy

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, I too was DCIS and have had absolutely no problems other than the

weight gain from taking Tamoxifen which I hope will go away next June

when I finish with it. HOpe the new medication that I want the doctor

to prescribe won't make me gain more. The drains are not a real

problem but you do need to follow directions and keep them

drained...my husband did mine for me because I was a bit squeamish

about " milking " the tube and also I guess a bit apprehensive. As soon

as you have the surgery, be sure to start crawling the walls (Raising

arms up a bit at a time and pretending to crawl the walls). I did

that as my doctor said and I had no problem with lymphodema. I wish

you well, will say prayers for a quick recovery. You did not mention

reconstruction (or did I miss that) but I did not have it and do not

regret that decision. Doris in Louisiana (I'm 65...61 when diagnosed)

> I'm scheduled for a modified radical mastectomy on December 30th.

> What a roller coaster ride it's been since December 4th. I'm 54 with

> 3 children, 2 grown and age 28 and 33... and my youngest son who is

> 10 yrs old. Along with this, I am also a polio survivor (polio at

> age 7 in 1956) and diagnosed with post-polio syndrome in 1987 which

> put me back in a wheelchair. My surgeon said this is an " early "

> cancer so hopefully I will have the strength to get through this. I

> don't know yet if I will have to have chemo. He said if I chose a

> lumpectomy I would need radiation, but most likely will not with the

> mastectomy. I went for my pre-testing today, and also talked to the

> breast cancer coordinator who put me in touch with our local support

> group. I haven't had much chance to talk with anyone though,

> everyone is so busy with the holidays I imagine. I'm concerned about

> the " drain " he mentioned and wondered how others faired with that.

> I'm also very concerned about how quickly my arm will get back to

> normal (I'm having lymph nodes removed) since I depend on my arms so

> much. I'm glad I found this group, and hope to get to know some of

> you better. I've been reading some of the messages, and I'm

> encouraged by your spirit.

> Loving, caring, healing thoughts to all,

> Mazzy

[Guest guest]

Thank you all for the warm welcome and your responses regarding the

drain.

Marsha.. I will try to remember to take a pain pill before going to

have the drain removed. My husband does the driving so I won't have

to worry about that part. Thanks for your response, it was

encouraging and enlightening.

Georgia....My doctor had mentioned the lumpectomy, but did not

recommend it for me. I am extremely small breasted and the surgical

biopsy already deformed what little I have in that breast. In my

mind, there didn't seem to be any other way but the mastectomy under

the circumstances, so we both agreed on that.

Doris.. I'll remember to " climb the walls " and thanks for the info.

I did not opt for reconstruction either. My breasts are so small and

it seems rather foolish for me to go through more extensive surgery

for so little on my part. I can see why many women would opt for it

though. I often go bra-less, and I'll get a prosthesis for those

times I actually need to wear a bra due to the clothing I'm wearing

(like more formal wear, which I don't do often, or when swimming

which I do do because of the physical therapy I go through due to

polio/post-polio). Oh, and thank you so much for the prayers.. that

means a lot to me.

Loving, caring, healing thoughts,

Mazzy