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

Even when treatment began there may have been some vague mention- the focus was on doing tumor markers for breast and colon cancer for several years.
I remember a teenage patient of mine that survived lymphoma, but down the road developed leukemia- survived that too.

Thank you for your detail reply. I have been told at Mayo that radiation these days are not harmful…and they are focused on area not affecting other organs but still don’t know unknowns behind that.. so worried about making decision about lumpectomy plus radiation or bilateral mastectomy.

We would need more info to helpfully commenet. Some people with DCIS are doing no treatment at all, or just anti-estrogen meds Tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors. Some are doing full bilateral mastectomies or lumpectomies with radiation. You need the grade, size, kid67%, and Oncotype or Mammaprint. I assume HER3 negative.

Just want to mention I did two mastectomies, and "went flat" with no reconstruction. Always an option.

Boathouse, I wanted to pick up on your last sentence "I am struggling with my feelings of being a cancer patient."

I get that. It's new identity that you didn't choose and one you didn't want. What do you find the most challenging? What helps?

Truly it is selfish, I raised 3 talented caring successful kids, waiting for my youngest to enter college so I could be an empty nester.
A journey I waited for so excited and 3 days later I got my mammogram results, and my life unexpectedly went into a path that to be honest, no one is prepared, but, it is now another year to get to the starting line.
So, again I feel selfish as I write this.
Round II of chemo, feel amazing no side affects of any kind, I am taking 1 appt at a time.
So, shifting my positive energy into keeping my routines.
Thanks for asking

I don’t think this is selfish. It is hard to have the rug pulled out from under your life. However, I am really happy to know you are not having side effects from treatments. Get started on that empty nest in between treatments. What kinds of things did you have planned for this time?

I really wanted to enjoy the quiet of my house relax and slow down, because I could.
It is silly, as I know I am blessed with an amazing life.
I believe in the science of my amazing Mayo doctors and I was raised with faith to move forward.
I am mustering up courage - as I am amazed at the woman on here that have an amazing Roar.
I will have to find that

I have faith that you will find your true self again. Allow the time. Love yourself. Cancer is a diagnosis that shatters the life we were living. It takes time to collect all the pieces of yourself to be you again. Hugs to you. Deep healing ones!

Please feel free to stand on the shoulders of women who have had the time to adjust to the new normal, if you need to. I would be honored to lift you up over that wall. @jkh is correct, and puts this into words of wisdom and compassion.

Well, I am 55 and have same diagnoses plus HER2.
My doctors and I have chosen a double mastectomy with reconstruction.
I will also have radiation along with chemo and this will be a long healing process.
I am positive this is the right decision for me.
Of course my first goal is to be clear of cancer at the end and to manage my cancer for the future.
The cosmetic part of reconstruction is secondary to me. The mastectomy decision was easy as I believe in science and my doctors.
Hope this helps. In round 3 of chemo and feel great!