Newly Diagnosed DCIS Stage 0, Grade 2: Still reeling

There are all different types of Breast Cancer. Mine was HER2 + Estrogen/Progesterone . I was also stage 0 grade 2, but it had invaded my milk duct. I was told best scenario for me was a lumpectomy and to remove the lymph nodes under my arm pit on that side. There was no sign of it spreading there. However, as it crept into my duct cancer cells could have spread anywhere in my body. So I was on Cemo Abrazane and a Hormone suppressor for 14 weeks and 6 months more for the second infusion. Then 10 radiation treatments. I am on Leteozol pills now for at least 5 yers. I did go for a second opinion. Mine 2nd was Fox Chase and their opinion was the same as the original Oncologist. However, I did choose Fox Chase as I felt more comfortable with that doctor. The 1st Oncologist was not upset and wished me well. So, as all breast cancers are different I would get your second opinion and ask all of the questions and then make your decision. Remember that they know best as they have yrs and yrs of trials to go by and percentages of outcomes. I am thankful that mine was in the stage it was in and I had my mammogram this last Nov and all was clear. However, I myself would not mind getting MRIs to be sure, Best Wishes to you

At your stage they are now even doing watch and wait clinical trials where they leave it alone and just rest every 6 months.

As there are all sorts of cancer diagnosis, there is the same for treatments. I had my diagnosis and genetic test, biopsy and scans and tests all within 3 weeks. I was stage 2/grade 3 as my tumor was big. I had 1 round of chemo and one month of an olaparib pill. Bad low blood numbers. Then covid got me. I was not able to complete the chemo, so a surgery to remove the tumor happened February 9th. My tumor only shrunk 1/2 with the chemo. In one month, it had begun growing again fast. After the surgery i met with the radiologist team. I met to review the procedure, then the main doctor. The head doctor covered what they expected radiation would do following the treatments i already had. He said in the end, that if i were family, he would say do not no tradition. I had a cancer diagnosis 2% of the population has. My benefit to extend my life would increase maybe 2%. Side effects that are possible may make that less.
Reading all we er can will absolutely show us the varied roads we could be on. Try to do it one day, one test or treatment at a time.

@dinnamm thank you for sharing. 🙂 Rejoicing that your mammogram was clear. I'm sure that was a big relief. Hate that you have to take all the medications.... but stage 0 or not, as i told someone the other day... cancer is cancer... We just have to do and choose the best options for us girls. Continued prayers for negative tests in the future.!

@prc73 Yeah i have read about that too... I'm kinda apprehensive and anxious at the moment because my mom had it. So.... getting the genetic testing and BRCA markers and talking to surgeon, will pretty much make my decision.

@katgob That's exactly what I am doing. One day, one test, one chapter in a book , 1 hour of research.... so i don't go down the rabbit hole.... but I'm learning all I can so I can make a well thought out decision with the surgeon on my treatment plan. Thank you for sharing.... I so appreciate this group... so many beautiful souls that have traveled their unique path, yet able to share to help others with theirs. 🙂

@katgob
oops 13 rounds of chemo. Taxol/Carboplatin every week for 12 weeks and then 1 dose of Red Devil.

@panarosmith I am hoping my story will be like yours I am so scared. I had a mamo last year and was fine but I have dense breasts. They did the call back this year then a sonogram right after the additional slides. Sent for core needle biopsy the results came back I have estrogen positive progestrin positive HER2 negative breast cancer. Waiting for MRI next week and then hoping it is only the one spot and then the lumpectomy and then the drugs..I am so scared about all phases of this. I am scared the MRI will show lymph nodes affected and I am scared of the estrogen blocker. I love how you say you are feeling great. I had to imediatly stop taking my hormone replacement estrogen so I am going into cold turkey menopause symptoms. How did you deal with all of this. I feel like I am doomed and and depressed and crying a lot.

@sunshine1313
Dense breasts. I had never had a mammogram until the one i had at 60 to see my tumor. Two things i believe that were not true. Small breast can be dense, and any size breast can get breast cancer. I was very surprised when the diagnosis came back cancer. What? But the very moment i was told the suggested treatment, i had felt i picked the best breast surgeon, with knowledge, training and a kind compassionate soul. Once i saw and met my medical team i was calmed knowing that they are professionals. The surgeon, the oncologist, the plastics doctor and the nurses. They treat women and men like us daily, week after week and year after year. I had stage 2/Grade 3-HR+/PR-/HER2+/Brca2
I had few of the dreadful side effects from chemo. Fatigue and blood issues, but nausea was controlled by medication. I never got sick with nausea.
FEAR is normal. Faith is harder.
Truly, I took it a day at a time. I woke up and said how do i feel and what is up on the schedule.
I started treatment during Covid. No visitors. If you have anyone to take with you, please do. Please also come back here. We have been there and can help you face the fear. I was treated at COH. Whether you are at Mayo Clinic or any place. We all have treatment plans that are sometimes very similar.
https://www.cancercenter.com/cancer-types/breast-cancer/stages

@katgob thank you... Im ok most of the time, I think what scares me more than the diagnosis is the surgery. I had to have knee surgery a few years ago for torn Meniscus.. I was paralized with fear just being put under... I just want it gone, so I can move forward. this limbo thing doesn't do well for anxiety. I know God has me. I just wish that when talking to people they didn't make us feel like this is easy peasy, insignificant, just get a boob job .... regardless of stage its still cancer... it needs to come out, that's life changing in itself. Just trying not to freak, just trying to be prepared... I'e started my list of supplies that people have shared worked for them so once i get my surgery date I can start shopping and be prepared. I'm a planner LOL I want everything ready before I head into surgery. Thanks for sharing.