Ductal carcinoma in situ in one breast, lobular hyperplasia in other

PS: Sorry for the typos above. Was dictating and had to run answer the door, hitting send before proofing. Happy to answer any questions.

If you haven’t had an MRI, perhaps that is your next step to ensure that there’s not more going on that would influence your decision.

I have an excellent counselor from our church, and she shared some wisdom that may help you. Generally, you are in shock from this kind of diagnosis. As a result, the executive center of your brain shuts down … and you’re in fight or flight mode. And here you are trying to make this important decision.

Sit in a quiet place. Slow your breathing way way down. Soften your abdomen between your sit bones and your hip bones… with each exhale soften more and more. This releases the pressure on your vagus nerve and re-engages your Executive Center. Calms you. Enables you to think more clearly. And just listen and process the information. You will know what to do. And it will be the perfect choice for you. Infinite blessings to you. You are not alone. We are many and we are with you. ❤️

Botton line is that you do not yet have an invasive cancer. The DCIS is now considered pre-cancer, though I would want to know grade. Did you have an Oncotype Dx test? That would tell you the risk of recurrence.

The lobular hyperplasia is benign and a risk factor for cancer, but not actual cancer.

You have time to decide. I would recommend getting as many opinions as you need (I got 4), until you feel completely comfortable. Is there a tumor board where you are getting care?

Ask about radiation side effects and risks, Ask about mastectomy. Ask about lumpectomy without radiation too.

Most of all find out your risk of recurrence via testing. Mammaprint is also used by some. Thirty percent of grade 3's actually have low Oncotypes.

You are still in relatively good shape. If you are super anxious during this decision time, ask for a few Ativan or similar med, and do a lot of walking or other exercise. Netflix is your friend if you can take the time.

Thank you so much for detailed and new perspectives. Don’t know many of these things you mentioned. Definitely will get answers of those. Thank you again.

Ask about the Oncotype test!

First- Don’t rush into decision making!! You have enough time to get several opinions from major cancer specialists.
I got a second opinion from Memorial Sloan-Kettering in Manhattan with the top oncologist at the time.
I’m just adding a comment regarding treatment-
Be aware of consequences later on in life after radiation- and definitely chemo. Obviously, most of the time we don’t have a choice.
I had invasive ductal carcinoma in one breast. Due to the size I had a mastectomy and chemo. I wanted them to take the other breast too- but they wouldn’t do that 29 years ago. I was 48 at the time.
15 years later I started getting autoimmune illnesses, mostly intestinal and linked to severe GI reaction I had with chemo.
You will have time to make the right decision for you.

Thank you for posting this! When we are young with cancer, we focus on the life we want to have and the doctors focus on saving our life. There are long term side effects to these treatments that some are just being discovered some they know, some they have yet to learn. I like you try to be positive about it, but understand now that my aging looks and feels much different than others around me.

Chris, I agree. My retirement years have not been exactly what I expected. However, I feel lucky that I went to Mayo to find out what was wrong with me when local doctors didn’t know. Even doctors at Mayo got some gray hairs before they figured it out!
The hardest part has been to get those close to me understand what I was going through.