Just diagnosed with DCIS: How do I know what questions to ask?

Posted by foreverfaithful0925 @foreverfaithful0925, May 24 10:04pm

Hello, I am hoping to find some comfort with the group.

I just got diagnosed with DCIS stage 0. I don't have the full details yet, just got a call (and I consented to get the results over the phone). I am scheduled to discuss it further with a surgeon and my doctor.

Any help is appreciated. I am so lost right now. I can research all day and night, but I don't even know where to begin.

Perhaps I could start by asking any tips on what to ask the doctors for my appointment. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Keep the faith.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

Laurie, Volunteer Mentor | @roch | Jun 12 11:57am

In reply to @marywc "True! My biopsy is being delayed a few months because I’m about to go on Medicare,..." + (show)

@marywc

So for once, you will be happy to be one year older and eligible for Medicare.

Till then, keep busy and anything you can do to maintain a healthy lifestyle will be to your benefit (just in case).

Also, not knowing what your future treatment plan will involve (or nothing) now would be a good time to get any dental work you need done if have insurance and can afford.

myoga | @myoga | Sep 26 2:09pm

In reply to @foreverfaithful0925 "Thank you for your input! I agree that walking helps. I’ve been trying to take walks..." + (show)

Hi, how are you doing? I hope your surgery went well. Hugs

foreverfaithful0925 | @foreverfaithful0925 | Sep 27 1:54pm

In reply to @myoga "Hi, how are you doing? I hope your surgery went well. Hugs" + (show)

Hello! I am doing well. I realized that I did not give an update here.

But before I got better, things did take a turn. After having my lumpectomy, the pathology results showed I have invasive DC stage 1a. I had to do the Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy. Praise God no spread on the lymph nodes.

Which I then ended up with an infection and had to drain and heal from inside. That took almost a month, I had high fever chills and hives as well. They did a CT scan, and also found a tumor in my left adrenal gland.

Fast forward to now, I am better, trying to heal from all of this. I still have to do radiation, which I will be doing CT scan mapping on Monday 09/30. 20 treatments, then going on Tamoxifen.

I have been trying to eat way healthier, juicing, doing more exercise, and taking some supplements. I want to get better, and get past all this.

Thank you for checking up on me! Praying for everyone going through this. Mine is hardly anything compared to what others are going through.

myoga | @myoga | Sep 27 7:04pm

I’m so sorry you went through such an ordeal. I hope you feel better now that you have a treatment plan. Waiting for the results is the hardest part. Make sure you take care of your skin during radiation. I used fresh Aloe Vera right after each treatment and it worked well for me. Continue to use whatever cream you use for another week or two after the last radiation. I stopped to early and found a blister under my nipple. There is a thread in this site with lots of good information on how to prevent radiation burn. Pray that you will breeze through all treatments. Hugs.

christylv | @christylv | Sep 28 8:24am

In reply to @foreverfaithful0925 "Hello! I am doing well. I realized that I did not give an update here. But..." + (show)

Hi! May I ask, what supplements are you taking? I added calcium and zinc to my day vitamin.

foreverfaithful0925 | @foreverfaithful0925 | Sep 28 1:24pm

Right now taking AHCC, curcumin, and Biotin. I am undergoing radiation treatment and the drs explained not to take supplements for now as it will counteract with the radiation, which I thought at first seemed strange. I did research about that and had a 2nd opinion and the answers I got were the same so I’ll get back to the other supplements (will incorporate vitamin C and E) a month after radiation.

foreverfaithful0925 | @foreverfaithful0925 | Sep 28 1:27pm

In reply to @myoga "I’m so sorry you went through such an ordeal. I hope you feel better now that..." + (show)

Thank you!! The radialogy onco explained this really well and I have heard and read that Aloe Vera seems to work better with some people than just aquaphor. The onco also prescribed another cream for me. Good thing I already bought aloe Vera! I am not looking forward to radiation burn as I’m sure I’m one of those that will get it.

myoga | @myoga | Sep 28 1:37pm

Fresh aloe Vera is much better than the bottle. Just make sure you clean it well. It has a little funny smell though.

foreverfaithful0925 | @foreverfaithful0925 | Sep 28 11:32pm

In reply to @myoga "Fresh aloe Vera is much better than the bottle. Just make sure you clean it well...." + (show)

Thanks for the tip! I will look for fresh ones.

My mom used to put fresh aloe Vera on her hair so I am familiar with the scent.

Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Sep 29 9:30am

In reply to @foreverfaithful0925 "Thanks for the tip! I will look for fresh ones. My mom used to put fresh..." + (show)

I used aloe Vera about 10 times a day during radiation, I even kept it in the fridge, so that it had that immediate cooling effect. I didn’t have the opportunity for fresh aloe living in a rural area, but I did find a brand that did not have alcohol in it.
Have you started radiation yet? How many treatments are you scheduled for? 💕