chm64 | @chm64

I am sure you have a million questions and anxiety is high.

The MRI will give the providers additional information on location and size of tumor and also check to make sure there are not any other suspicious spots. If the radiologist finds something, you may need to get an additional biopsy. That is what happen to me.

The more information you have prior to seeing surgeon, the better both of you are prepared to decide on what is best treatment plan for you. You do not want to rush into surgery without all the facts.

Take a breath, and take time to enjoy holidays. As I have suggested before, use the month to prepare. Depending on type of surgery you have, you may be laid up for a while. So if have things that need to be taken care of, use the next month to do those things. Busier you are, less time to worry about upcoming surgery.

If there is anything you can do to make yourself in better condition for surgery, do so. Maybe exercise / walk more than normal. If smoke, definitely stop.

Check if there is a support group for Breast Cancer in your area. If not, look for an online support group.

Wishing you the best
Laurie

@chm64
Hello,
You said this was your 2 year mammo check…does that mean you had some type of Breast Cancer 2 years ago and now you also have DCIS, 2 years later after being checked?
Sorry, I am confused so I just wanted to clarify.
Xoxo

My experience is that when a scan is done, like MRI, the surgeon reviews it, and then it’s reviewed by anyone on your medical team who needs to discuss treatment options. Usually takes a minimum of 2 days, but it depends on how busy the surgical schedule is. Could be a week or more.

Here’s my timeline so you can compare how yours is going.
My local mammogram and follow up diagnostic and ultrasound were on April 21 & 29, 2022.
Radiology gave it a BIRADS 3 and said to come back in 6 months for another mammogram.
By June the uncertainty was bothering me. I talked with the radiologist 6/7 and they ordered a biopsy 6/10.
It came back DCIS intermediate grade, ER+PR+. This was all done in the Austin area.
I contacted MD Anderson on 6/17, and had an MRI and saw the surgical oncologist on 6/27-28.
There was some delay getting surgery scheduled to get all my records in place in the new location and facility. They offered a surgery date 8/15 - but I asked if I could change that because it meant traveling in for a Friday prep and surgery on Monday. I really didn’t want to have to hang around Houston for the weekend, besides the cost of a hotel.
Surgery was on 8/30.
Saw the radiation oncologist on 10/28 to plan tx, radiation was 10/17-10/21.
My understanding is that low grade DCIS takes about 9 years to grow from a cell to a lesion large enough to scan. Intermediate grade takes 6 years and high grade 4 years. Of course there are variables that affect that timeline. But I wasn’t too worried about waiting. My DCIS was under 2 cm at surgery, so it had not grown very fast.