New diagnosis

[Nanales]

Needing further surgery for Dcis as the margins were not clear. The shock of being told that although it's non invasive but still may need a mastectomy has really thrown me. It's been a week since the diagnosis and I feel like I'm in a daze.

[SimoneHU HealthUnlocked]

Welcome to the community Nanales! Thank you for sharing with the community, I am sure others will relate.

[Jennymary]

I have some idea in how you feel, lumpectomies 2 yrs ago, more cancer in one breast than surgeon was looking for, removed in main op, but had to have a second to take some tissue, in case there was any cancer left, thankfully there wasn't, but very scary as what would happen if there was, can't give you any real advice but I'm sending you love, hugs and best wishes to help you through this worrying time xxx

[Nanales in reply to Jennymary]

Thank you for replying. Did you need radiotherapy or any other treatment, I have been told that it's standard after surgery for unclear margins.x

[Jennymary]

Hi Nanales, I had lumpectomies, was told I would have 18 weeks chemo, 3 weeks radio all precautionary as at that stage the cancer was gone. Went to Oncology and was told I may not need chemo and would I like to sign up for a trial they're running, I was given a 1 in 3 chance of missing chemo, it worked, so I had 3 weeks radiotherapy January 2014, discharged from Oncology March 2014, as ever good luck

[Nanales]

I have the next surgery next Wednesday so hopefully I will get my results before Xmas,

keeping my fingers crossed that they manage to clear it all! I feel like I'm on an emotional roller coaster at the moment.

[lovesradio]

Hi honey if it is non invasive DCIS please ask your team why it is necessary for so much intervention. The 'IS' stands for 'in situ' so if it's non invasive the cells will not divide out of control or at least that's my understanding.

[Nanales]

Cancer cells were found in the surrounding tissue without the clear margin, so further surgery is needed to get the clear margin. I have a high family history of breast cancer, I lost my sister at 40, so I think they are being extra vigilant.

I asked about 'watch and wait' but as its intermediate they said it wasn't a good idea. I will know what's happening when I get the results from the next surgery, just feel a bit lost at the moment, almost like swimming in treacle. Positive one minute then down the next. I also feel guilty as I know mine is nowhere near as bad as many others on here.

[lisabax in reply to Nanales]

So sorry to hear this. I'm in exactly the same boat! You may have the results by now (not sure when you posted) and all may be well. But I had my first DCIS with unclear margins 10 years ago and was horrified that with an essentially pre cancerous condition that they recommended mastectomy. It was such a shock. I requested 'watch and wait' and have been clear for 10 years, but this year I was diagnosed with invasive cancer around the margins of the DCIS and have had 2 operations so far including removal of lymph nodes. All the cancer has gone and the lymph nodes were clear but there is more DCIS and once again mastectomy is on the cards. This time I am going to go with mastectomy. It feels the right decision. I hope that you will find the right path for you.

[Nanales in reply to lisabax]

Thank you for your reply. It makes me feel that I am doing the right thing. I had my second surgery on Wednesday (still a bit sore!) I should get my results on 23rd and if the margins are still not clear I am going to opt for the mastectomy. I don't think I can go through the constant worry that it may or may not develope into invasive cancer.

I do hope that all goes well with you and I am sure you have made the right decision x

[lisabax in reply to Nanales]

Thank you very much. I have taken my time and if your margins are not clear then I hope you will take the time you need to make your decision too. I'm glad that I haven't been rushed. Anyway here's hoping that all will be clear for you. That will be a wonderful Christmas present!

[CancerkickerKathy]

I can only imagine how you feel. They told me my margins were clear. (Bilateral mastectomy) but I still need chemo because I am tripple negative. Best of wishes to you.

[elainemaria in reply to CancerkickerKathy]

im triple negative too. had lumpectomy at first then my margins wernt clear. so further op. now had double mastectomy with implants but they failed so waiting 3 mths to try again. good luck.

[CancerkickerKathy in reply to elainemaria]

Thank you. I was really upset when my implants had to come out. Mainly because I really didn't want more surgeries. I will be at least a year before we can try. If I lose my belly by then I just might leave things deflated. Kinda nice not having them in the way.

[elainemaria in reply to CancerkickerKathy]

i had implants out under local aneasthetic... not nice at all but big relief.why do you have to wait a year. im diabetic but they are trying again in 3 months using my back muscle and skin..

[CancerkickerKathy in reply to elainemaria]

I have 5 months of chemo coming up and then the plastic surgeon says he likes to wait 6 months after chemo is finished. So that puts me at about another year.

[elainemaria in reply to CancerkickerKathy]

i undersyand . nrst to wait. chemo takes it out of you..

[Nanales]

Thank you for your replies. I got my results yesterday and am pleased to say that they got clear margins and am cancer free. No more treatment just close monitoring and annual mammograms for 5 years. A bit sore still from the second op but it's nothing compared to some!

Best wishes and good luck to everyone that replied to me, I will keep you all in my thoughts and check back from time to time in the hope of positive news. X

[CancerkickerKathy in reply to Nanales]

I am so happy you had good news. I hope you will stay cancer free.

[MJAP]

As soon as I read your post I knew exactly what you meant.

I was told two days before Christmas that I had DCIS.

I felt like a robot, totally in shock and cried a lot. I had a routine Mammogram, had two biopsies, followed by being told the diagnosis and so far I have had two operations as they said they didn't get a clear margin in the first. I go for the results next Thursday and hope it will be okay this time. I found although they tell you it is early and treatable, that you most likely won't need anything but an operation followed by radiotherapy they never commit themselves and I sometimes feel they only tell you as much as they think they need to.

So have you had your second surgery? When were you diagnosed?

Mine showed up as white dots of calcium on the mammogram, did yours.

I read so many people that have got terrible diagnoses and know I am very fortunate that mine is none invasive and my lymph nodes were clear but I don't know about you, I am going through a huge life changing experience and I will never be the same again!

Be great to hear more of your story thanks xx