Once more into the breach… My 10mm DCIS is now 24mm - and counting. Is it width, diameter? How do the count it? Also since they only had one clear margin I’m guessing the final size count will be higher.
I’m wondering if I should take a picture of my left nipple? Goodbye old friend etc…
Anybody had a successful 2nd WLE? Also was the recovery similar to your first time?
Maria
Snap i am having surgery tomorrow as the surgeon did not get clear margins last time. Why on earth cant they get the tissue examined by the pathologist during the operation to know whether enough tissue has been removed or not as the trial and error approach is crazy. I have been told that if this is not successful i can expect to have to have another op to remove yet more tissue and then if not successful a mx.
But to me that means i might have to have 4 operations which i am strugging with. There must be an easire way to get clear margins?
Tricia
Tricia I think it takes a while to prep the sample, stain it etc so not realistic to do it while you’re on the table. They did x ray mine to check for a margin round the micro calcifications and hence he took another shave of my inferior cavity. The waiting is rubbish.
I didn’t have an SNB the first time.
Thanks for responding xx
Don’t know about WLE as I had to have mx because two DCIS patches spotted too far apart , however I did ask how they measure DCIS as I was told after surgery I had 6cm. The measurement is linear. Xx
I’ve had 2 WLE but they keep finding more high grade DCIS so surgeon is recommending a mx I also had 19mm of invasive removed during the first one. Also having the BRCA test on Thursday so may end up with a double mx. All this from spotting the tiniest dimple in my boob back in December. Seems a lifetime away now. Hugs to everyone Xx
I’m wondering now if I ought to try for a third WLE. I’ve had other health issues, was in hospital recently for 10 days with a problem with my bowel, so could do with having the smallest op possible. I suppose the sensible thing to do (somehow BC seems to take the common sense away from you at times and replace it with a fried brain!) would be to await the result of the BRCA test and then decide. It’s another month of awful waiting, which seems to have been my life for the past 6 months. Love The Sopranos by the way and our daughter calls us Tony and Carmella (no mafia connections I assure you, lol) so sad that James Gandolfini died. Our box set is at the ready!!!
Heh good news Tricia and Maria, nothing like your own bed! Mmm pizza, i’m salivating. Still on light diet but surely a pizza doesn’t weigh much, lol. Neither do choccies or chocolate eclairs come to that !!! Hugs to all.
I’m revolting, if you know what I mean! Awarded myself fish and chips tonight and told the tum it would have to put up with it. Did pass on the mushy peas as I didn’t fancy the after effects, lol. Time will tell if it was a good idea! Bit apprehensive about the BRCA test tomorrow, mostly because of the implications if positive. Still one day at a time is my motto. Hugs to all. Xx
Thank you Rose. Love my curry so do miss it. Think I’ll try a nice mild chicken korma before I attempt the madras! Only joking. It was nice to go out for a meal and feel part of civilisation again. OH looked rather perturbed when I mentioned the curry and shot out to buy some more toilet rolls! Ho ho. Hugs to all x
Hi Patricia
Same for me unfortunately. My 2nd WLE showed more DCIS so its a mx for me. Could be a double if my BRCA test is positive. Won’t know this for anothere three weeks yet and the waiting is driving me mad. They can’t fix a date for the surgery until they know this. On top of that, I’m having some not too pleasant investigations for other health problems. Just trying to take a day at a time and keep busy. Sending you virtual hugs, know just how you feel. Xxx
Hi Tricia
Well done and great to hear from someone who had a good experience. I feel very encouraged, as I’m facing a mx and possibly a double. I’ve had two WLEs already and sentinel nodes removed but don’t react well to anaesthetic unfortunately. I was like a shivering jelly for several hours after the last one! Onwards and upwards.
Patricia, I am really pleased all went well. The mastectomy, for once, it’s something that would have made me feel so reassured! I am amazed that you woke up relieved, and happy even! Well done xx
Hope you ladies don’t mind me joining ? Feel like in in the same boat. Was diagnosed in Feb. 2 lumpectomies no clear margins … Grade 3 her2, decided to have chemo first. Am now on chemo 4 and waiting to see surgeon. Will push for a mx as surgeon originally wanted to do 3rd lumpectomy before chemo ! Just want it out ! Wish they would do a double but think as cancer in only 1 breast it will be a single … Think also I’m having radiation so may have to have delayed reconstruction … But if not a big deal Union re implant or diep fat transfer from belly …hope to keep in touch … I live in Kent by the way
Hi Cocolily
Know just what you mean. I wish my surgeon would agree to a double mx but now my BRCA test is clear he won’t. Of course I’m very relieved at that, for me and my family, especially my daughter. I’m worried that as mine is also Grade 3 invasive with lots of DCIS, this will occur in the other breast sooner or later. Also I am very big busted, H cup, so i will be very lopsided and need a big prothesis. Don’t want to go for recon now as I’ve had other health problems. They will agree to reduce the other boob for cosmetic reasons in the future (don’t know when) but I’d rather just get shot of it now! That sounds terrible really, knowing how desperate some ladies are to conserve their boobs but at 62 I perhaps have a different outlook on it all. Your journey is much harder than mine, as I haven’t needed chemo (touch wood) and i’m not HER+ although it’s high ER+. It’s amazing how all these abbreviations just trip off the tongue now whereas 6 months ago I wouldn’t have known what they meant, in my pre BC dx world! Sending you virtual hugs. X
Hi Fuffs123, yes I know how you feel regarding a double… Would rather do it all now then have to go back in a few years and have another if there is a reaccurance. Very glad to hear your brca test is negative … A relief for you and your family I’m sure … We are all on this BC journey and we will all get there in the end I’m sure. Hugs