Just diagnosed - still reeling

Written by

Sat, August 22, 2009

August 21st 2:30 pm...Dr said "We have a problem...but the problem is not invasive - so that is good. It is called DCIS and is very curable." I went on to learn that both of the cluster sites were positive. One is 4cm the other 6cm. There were an additional 5 or more spots on the mammogram that I saw. MRI is next - to rule out cancer in the other breast and to determine how spread out it truly is in the breast with the known sites. I have told my husband - and he is a rock. I have told my brother and sister. My husband has told his brothers and sisters. I have yet to tell my son and my mother. I am busy getting information. I am an analyst by trade - so searching for an answer is second nature. I have told my boss - and he was so great. He has said to focus on myself - worry about work second. My surgeon has suggested a mastectomy with reconstructive surgery at the same time (if possible).

Comments (15) | Add comment

Notify me when there are new comments

PJ Hamel

8/22/09 6:57pm

Barbara, it sounds oxymoronic, but if you're going to have breast cancer - you definitely have the "right" kind! About 20% of women with breast cancer have a diagnosis of non-invasive ductal or lobular cancer (DCIS or LCIS). These are the only breast cancers considered truly curable. In fact, the 5-year survival rate for your cancer is about 99.8% - so you should feel VERY heartened! Best of luck with the rest of your tests, and with your mastectomy, and reconstruction. It's a challenging road, but you can do this. "Cancer is a rock in the path. Step over it - the path will still be there." And we'll be here, holding out our hands to help you take those steps. Good luck - PJH

BarbaraR

8/23/09 12:16pm

Thank you very much for the positive note. I have been reading as much information as I can - and it is overwhelming. I am glad I have found this site - and the wonderful people involved.

Phyllis Johnson

8/22/09 8:00pm

Barbara, take a deep breath. You'll be able to get through this just fine. It sounds like you have great support from your family. The surgery will be a challenge but probably not as bad as you might think. Here's a link to an article on DCIS, and PJ's post today on reconstruction should be a big help.

BarbaraR

8/23/09 12:13pm

Thanks very much for the note about the 2 articles - they both provided me with lots of informaion.

sue dyer

8/22/09 11:17pm

Hi Barbara

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. We can all relate to how you are feeling right now as we have been there ourselves. Things will become calmer and clearer as you have time to process what you've been told.

Like you, I have the kind of mind that needs information, so I found that Google became a very good friend to me. It led me to this site and it has been a wonderful comfort to me since my own diagnosis last October. You will meet many who have been through the same experience and will know exactly how you are feeling as you make your way towards being well again. Let "If they can do it, so can I" become your mantra. It really helps.

Wishing you good luck and a return to good health

Sue

BarbaraR

8/23/09 11:51am

Thanks so much. It is nice to find a place like this where I can discuss my progress with others who have been through it! This morning, I woke up and thought it was all a dream. Was feeling freaked that I would dream something so awful. Then my breast started itching (where I had the biopsy) and it all came flooding back. It is real - I am not just dreaming. Then I felt worse. But my family has been great - so I know I will get through it. Thanks again.

Sharron

8/27/09 9:53am

Barbara:

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis; just remember you CAN and WILL get through this. It sounds like you are already predisposed to researc and analysis, which is a good thing as you take responsibility for your treatment and long term self-care. The best thing I ever did was always take a good friend with me to appointments to take notes and ask questions I either forgot or were too discombobulated to ask. My network of friends played a major role in keeping me positive and focused on healing. Good luck and blessings on your journey. Plan a special treat for yourself post-treatment!

J Toney

8/27/09 10:38am

I just had a mastectomy on my left side and reconstructive surgery has already begun. The temporary implant is already there and I go today to have the first injection to help stretch the muscle today. It is not bad at all just a tightness. I start my chemo tomorrow so I know how you feel. Any question just e-mail me at murtdoll@yahoo.com

shelley

9/ 3/09 12:29pm

Do you have an expander in & they are doing a fill?

Peglove

9/11/09 8:59pm

My name is Peg and I am 34 years old. I got a positive biopsy reult today. I am not sure what to do as my husband is on a business trip and I am home alone wiht this news. I have an MRI on the 17th and this is all like a nightmare to me. How are you doing now? What si the next step for you? Peg.

amelia

9/17/09 7:10pm

please realize we are all with you , i know you are scared to death but remember to live each day use meditation, go for walks then when you get your mri you will know more and its day to day and you will be just fine you are in my prayers

Isabella

9/14/09 9:00pm

Dont make the mistake that I did. I looked up and read everything I could and it all scared the hell out of me. Sometimes ignorance is bliss. I was diagnosed with Grade 1 Stage 2 Invasive DCIS ER Receptor positive on the 17/10/2005. I am scared every day. I don't have a husband. I am divorced. My tumour was less than 2cm and there was no node involvement. I had a lumpectomy and a sentinel node biopsy done. 7 Weeks of radiotherapy. Have swapped and changed from Aridimex to Tamoxifen and back to Aridimex. Fight we can all beat this monster. Good luck with everything, you'll be fine. Let other's help you and be kind to yourself.

jodi

10/19/09 6:23pm

sounds alot like my cancer except that mine was stage 1. I too had radiation for 7 weeks. I have to start femara in a week. Has anyone else used this drug? I am scared to take it because of all the side effects. There is a research study at the city of hope in california that uses mushrooms to do the same thing the aromatase inhibiters do..the mushrooms wouldn't be as effective but if someone can't take the drug and they are estrogen receptive, this could help..you need 4 oz. per day.I have been eating them alot..I hope they complete this research soon so no one will have to take these drugs....of course it would only help estrogen receptive cancer...the femara is most effective but if I can't take it, I will be eating mushrooms at every meal! I don't want to get the cancer back though so I will give the meds a try! jodi

Amelia

9/17/09 7:02pm

dear barbara i too was diagnosed in 2000 and had a lumpectomy, radiation and chemo 2 and a half years of tamoxifen and 2 and a half yrs of arimidex, my lumpectomy was more than half my breast. in october 2008 this same breast incision was bothering me and two docs said its only scar tissue, and i said it hurts so i went to my previous surgeon and he did another biopsy and of course the same cancer came back in the exact same spot, so then a double mastectomy, with expanders put in at the same time. i highly recommend this for you. i should be having my surgery to exchange out the expanders for silicone implants soon.i have waited so lonfg because my mother has emphysema and uterine cancer my sister is suffering from metastisized breast cancer which was a 3 year reoccurance.. Good luck to you!!!!!!!!!!!!! trust your dr. and leave it in Gods hands

Rebbie

9/20/09 5:37am

A little over 20 years ago, I had the same diagnosis. I had what my surgeon called a quadrant masectomy, literally like a pie with a one quarter piece removed! My doctor suggested waiting awhile to see if my breast filled in some after surgery before deciding about reconstruction. I have trouble today remembering which breast was partially removed. I think either times have changed or my surgeon and oncologist were less aggressive than some. All I had afterwards was tamoxifen, and I was followed very closely with checks/tests with my oncologist at first every three months, then six months, and finally every year. It took ten years before my doctors decided that once a year was sufficient. Looking back and considering all my follow-up research over the years, I would have probably opted for more aggressive treatment knowing what I know today. I feel extremely fortunate for my outcome, but I doubt I would ever suggest to anyone else a similar course of action. I am very careful to continue with all my tests and never take anything for granted. My thoughts and prayers are with you always!

Just diagnosed - still reeling

Ask a Question