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Diagnosed with DCIS: How do I decide on treatment?

Posted by tctredwell1 @tctredwell1, Aug 23, 2022

I was diagnosed with DCIS. I have to go in for a breast MRI with contrast tomorrow to see how active the cancer is. If it’s contained and not very active, do I have to have a lumpectomy?

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mchler73 | @mchler73 | Oct 3, 2023
In reply to @kathyomaha55 "Sure! Radiation is 5 days a week, M thru F. I had 21 treatments. The last..." + (show)
@kathyomaha55

Sure! Radiation is 5 days a week, M thru F. I had 21 treatments. The last 5 were "closeup" - so I was on my back. The rest were face down - with the boobs hanging down. Actually I preferred the ones where I was on my back. The actual treatment is just a few minutes. The Terrible fatigue hit me after about 2 weeks. So you have to be prepared for that & baby yourself. If you want a nap - take it! I did find it tedious driving to the hospital each day. Boy, but ringing that bell after my last treatment was so great!! I had 2 friends go with me & we celebrated with a lunch that day. Where I got my treatment - I saw the radiologist every Friday. I used Aquaphor (use what your Dr. tells you) - use it on your nipple too - not just the area involved. I used a certain sleep shirt - as the Aquaphor is very greasy. When I was done never thought I'd get that shirt clean - but Dawn (original blue) finally took out that stain. I didn't suffer from skin burns - but some women do. Mine was also on my right side - if it's on the left, I understand this may affect your heart. Talk to your radiologist about this. My poor nipple will never be the same on the right. Looks like a brown piece of leather.

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Thank you for sharing! I have also wondered what Radiation will be like. You said your nipple was affected?! Ugh, I’m sorry! Does the actual breast look the same?
I am hoping my Pathology will be back in the next day or 2, with clear margins and then I can start Radiation soon after. But I am extremely nervous for the Radiation and side effects!

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flowergal | @flowergal | Oct 3, 2023
In reply to @pamelafay "I am fearful of the actual injection of the dye which I have read is quite..." + (show)
@pamelafay

I am fearful of the actual injection of the dye which I have read is quite painful. I also have a large hematoma (still present from my biopsy done in Nov. 2022) which concerns me in regards to having an injection in that area. I have also read studies that the procedure is not really necessary unless the tumor is above 3mm and/or you are having a complete mastectomy. The side affects are also a concern of mine as they can be permanent. Frankly, I am simply scared to death! My surgeon didn't have any patience when I expressed my concerns and told me I was too full of anxiety and I wouldn't heal properly if I don't get a grip."

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That injection was so painful, I screamed, burst into tears and jumped off the table.
That breast was already sensitive after two rough biopsies, black and blue breast and large hematoma.
I thought it was barbaric to give such a painful shot with no anesthetic at all.

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2 replies
sarahmh | @sarahmh | Oct 4, 2023
In reply to @celica "Ductal Insitu is in the ducts Invasive Means it spread To the canals ( that’s what..." + (show)
@celica

Ductal Insitu is in the ducts
Invasive
Means it spread
To the canals ( that’s what I hav)
My Dr. Told me calcifications
Mean nothing.
An MRI picked up a cancerous cyst the Ultrasound and Mammogram
didn’t. I get
My results of my lymph on Tues
I had 3
Tumours removed and an augmentation., Surgeon and Plastic surgeon directed
Me away from a
Mastectomy to Skin saving
Lost
Bld supply areola& nipple
Necrosis but now circulation is returning after bad post
Op infection & still on IV antibiotics
I’m here for anyone
It’s not really a journey more of a nightmare
Try hard to Stay strong

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The way this is written and spaced reads like a poem. I really love this.

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sarahmh | @sarahmh | Oct 4, 2023
In reply to @flowergal "That injection was so painful, I screamed, burst into tears and jumped off the table. That..." + (show)
@flowergal

That injection was so painful, I screamed, burst into tears and jumped off the table.
That breast was already sensitive after two rough biopsies, black and blue breast and large hematoma.
I thought it was barbaric to give such a painful shot with no anesthetic at all.

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I agree; I don't know why they can't do anything to prevent this pain. I received four injections in my areola. The doctor told me it would be uncomfortable, that it would feel like bee stings. It did; it felt like stings from a giant, evil monster bee. Having this done right before my lumpectomy was terrifying. I think my surgeon told me I'd get these injections and they would hurt, but good grief! I have a pretty high pain threshold, and the pain didn't last long, but I wasn't really prepared for this. It's true people with negative experiences are more likely to post, and I'm sure there are plenty of women who are unbothered by this, but I would have found it helpful to know more than "it will probably hurt."

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chickenmom10 | @chickenmom10 | Oct 4, 2023

Excuse for not understanding what pain from shot?
I radiation and didn’t have shots?

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2 replies
mchler73 | @mchler73 | Oct 5, 2023
In reply to @chickenmom10 "Excuse for not understanding what pain from shot? I radiation and didn’t have shots?" + (show)
@chickenmom10

Excuse for not understanding what pain from shot?
I radiation and didn’t have shots?

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I believe they are talking about having the sentinel node biopsy surgery. I had that done and they gave me 4 shots of blue dye in the nipple so they could detect my sentinel nodes. It definitely hurt! I thought they would have at least given some type of medication to relax me beforehand but they didn’t. It was not fun that is for sure!!

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1 reply
chickenmom10 | @chickenmom10 | Oct 5, 2023
In reply to @mchler73 "I believe they are talking about having the sentinel node biopsy surgery. I had that done..." + (show)
@mchler73

I believe they are talking about having the sentinel node biopsy surgery. I had that done and they gave me 4 shots of blue dye in the nipple so they could detect my sentinel nodes. It definitely hurt! I thought they would have at least given some type of medication to relax me beforehand but they didn’t. It was not fun that is for sure!!

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Okay. They check my lymphs while I was in surgery. My oncologist check 4 of them and only 2 had cancer. So while in surgery for my lump and lymph nodes to make sure she got clear margins. So why don’t they do in surgery. It would make more sense to me. I went to a teaching school. VCU Massey Cancer Center in Virginia. To me they are the best.

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dlmdinia | @dlmdinia | Oct 5, 2023
In reply to @chickenmom10 "Excuse for not understanding what pain from shot? I radiation and didn’t have shots?" + (show)
@chickenmom10

Excuse for not understanding what pain from shot?
I radiation and didn’t have shots?

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The shots have nothing to do with radiation. I had mine before surgery to inject a dye to try to see the path of the cancer cells towards
the lymph nodes. I survived the first three, but the fourth was a closed mouth scream.

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2 replies
chickenmom10 | @chickenmom10 | Oct 6, 2023
In reply to @dlmdinia "The shots have nothing to do with radiation. I had mine before surgery to inject a..." + (show)
@dlmdinia

The shots have nothing to do with radiation. I had mine before surgery to inject a dye to try to see the path of the cancer cells towards
the lymph nodes. I survived the first three, but the fourth was a closed mouth scream.

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Ouch sorry to hear that happens. At the Massey cancer center they do that while I was in surgery so they can make sure they get clear margins and check all lymphs with the dye. Maybe that should talked about before checking the lymphs system,

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pradalane | @pradalane | Oct 6, 2023
In reply to @dlmdinia "The shots have nothing to do with radiation. I had mine before surgery to inject a..." + (show)
@dlmdinia

The shots have nothing to do with radiation. I had mine before surgery to inject a dye to try to see the path of the cancer cells towards
the lymph nodes. I survived the first three, but the fourth was a closed mouth scream.

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Oh, I had one BIG shot in the nipple, and it was definitely an open mouth scream! I was not expecting that, and I too do not see a reason why it can't be done when you are already under anesthesia. Crazy. If it was men, they would never be expected to deal with that pain.

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