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Diagnosis of breast cancer (DCIS)

bowd65
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Hi, I was diagnosed with Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) 6 weeks ago. It was found on my first ever mammogram in April. It was quite a shock after I had 3 weeks with biopsies each week and waiting on results. The first biopsy result was pre-cancer, the second DCIS and the third biopsy came back as normal tissue. I had my pre assessment in the middle of May. I was hoping to have been in for surgery by now, but there appears to be a delay with the radiologist who puts in the guide wires prior to surgery. Has anyone here experienced similar problems? Does anyone know what the average waiting times are from diagnosis to going in for surgery are? I have started feeling quite emotional, anxious and now lower in mood.

I have been phoning for the last couple of weeks, but have just been told yes they know you are waiting and now an email has been sent to the radiologist. I have been getting really great support from my husband and family and the breast care nurse. I have remained quite positive as they have caught it early. But the waiting is really having such an impact on my health now. I hate phoning and mithering people, but I think 6 weeks is quite a long time. Especially as everything was done quite quickly in the first few weeks to get my diagnosis. My husband is also getting quite frustrated, as he is worried about me. Any ideas would be appreciated.

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    Hi there,

    I've just finished my chemotherapy and radiotherapy following my DCIS so totally know how you are feeling. Where you are now is the worst part of the whole treatment...the waiting game!!!

    I found a dimple in my breast in October last year and knew it was cancer as soon as I saw it. I made an appointment to see my GP, had a mammogram and biopsy middle of October and surgery at the beginning of November. Chemotherapy then started on New Years Eve.

    I think I was very lucky to have been treated so quickly since many cases don't get looked at for 6 weeks! I think it must be to do with where you live. I live in North Wales and our Cancer Unit is fantastic. I haven't heard the same said about alot of hospitals elsewhere in the UK. :|

    Could you have your name put on a cancellation list if the hospital have such a thing? I've managed to do that with various departments since I'm self employed and am only 30 minutes away so could attend at the drop of a hat. My husband was also brilliant at phoning and chasing up appointments on my behalf since I too reached the point that I hated the phoning and mithering.

    You could also ask your breast team to act on your behalf in hurrying things along. I only had to tell my appointed nurse "Just get this over with!" and she was on it!

    Hope this helps and please keep us posted on your progress....... Joanne xxx

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    Hi I know you must be feeling very frustrated. I live in Cornwall and when I first got diagnosed I was told it had to be removed within 4 weeks. That was suppose to be the government guidelines. I am very mad at the moment as I had to go in twice as they didn't get it all the first time. I had 15 radiotherapys after. This year it came back again in my other breast which has just been removed. Hey ho they didn't get it again so I am due to go in again soon. It was only 8 mm . What I don't like is having to wait 5 weeks after yearly mammograms for results. It far too long worrying. I hope you get in soon. 6 weeks do seem a long time. Will be thinking of you xxx

  • Offline in reply to welsh101

    Thanks Joanne, I am also in wales (south). I am under the Swansea team. Would you believe it i had a phone call this afternoon i am going in on Monday! I have guide wires put in first then surgery late morning/ afternoon. Don't know what will happen after yet. Will depend on the results. ? Radiotherapy.

  • Offline in reply to boobtubejen

    Thank you for your post. I have had word today. I am going in for surgery on Monday. I think it's down to my husband phoning up yesterday, he wasn't nasty, just straight to the point! 

    I am so sorry they didn't get it all and both times in your surgerys. I am also worried that will happen to me too. I am going to try to keep positive as best as i can. I will keep you posted.

  • Offline in reply to bowd65

    Hoorah! At last!
    Pob lwc cariad but I'm sure it'll all go well. If you need Radiotherapy afterwards, so be it. The treatment is easy and we'll all be here to talk you through it.
    Let us know how you get on and I'll be thinking of you muchly.... xxx

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    My waiting period from diagnosis to surgery was about a month. I started chemo about 5 weeks after my double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.  I did get a second opinion and opted to have my chemo at MD Anderson. I am very pleased with my doctors and treatment plan.  

     

    Wishing you the very best. 

     

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    Hi, I agree, the waiting between appointments is the hardest & frustrating.  I start my chemo tomorrow and I seem to have been waiting ages but in reality its a short period of time.  After find a lump in my right boob I had a mamogram and biopsy on 18th April.  Confirmed as beast cancer on 26th April. lumpectomy on 10th May, 24th May confirmed it hadn't spread to my lumph nodes but a course of chemo recommended.  I start at Christies tomorrow.  So lots of 2 week periods to worry in.  But what I would say is that the doctors & nurses have been brilliant and are competely working for you to get the correct treatment and get well.  

    Its great that you now have an op date and can focus on that.  I work in stages - op, appointments, 1st chemo.  Tick them off as you go past!  Try & rest before your op, take something to read as there could be some waiting around before you are called.  I had the guides put in, they are fine.  They will take you through everything but ask any questions, even if you think they sound silly, as they are there to help & reassure.

    All the very best for Monday and the results. Keep positive. x

     

  • Offline in reply to Mony

    The average waiting time appears to be from around 2 weeks to 4 weeks. Another colleague friend of mine was in having a lumpectomy after 10 days. I think that is why i was getting so frustrated. Anyway that is now behind me and soon Monday will be too.

    Thanks for the best wishes. 

  • Offline in reply to elaurap

    That's a good idea working in stages, I will start that as from Monday. Until I have all the results back from the lumpectomy I don't know what the next stage of treatment will be, but first I want to get through the surgery as I know Monday will be a very long day. I am getting a bit apprehensive now and not sleeping as well as I usually do. But Monday will soon be here and gone in no time.

    I hope everything goes ok at Christies for you today, let me know how you get on

    Take care

    Debbie :)

  • Offline in reply to bowd65

    Hi Debbie

    Just wondered how you were getting on. Are you recovered from surgery?  I was amazed to be in & out on the same day!

    I'm on my 4th chemo treatment tomorrow and its going ok.  Apart from my veins not playing on the first treatment - 8 attempts! My hair is going as well so hey ho!

    Hope you are ok.

    Laura x

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