Sometimes I forget where my head was when all this began. I was reminded recently when Pilar sent me this email: ” I was trying to find a place where to share some HOPE for women who are waiting for their results after a biopsy and a potential diagnosis of DCIS. I relate to all those women who are confused, scared and surfing the net trying to find some good news, positive energy and success stories since I was in that situation just last week and spent many hours trying to comfort myself and think the most optimistic way possible. I wanted to learn from human beings first hand (vs. just simple stats and numbers) that there is hope but most of the material found was rather scary perhaps because those who get good news do not tend to go back and share them as they just continue on with their normal lives.”
She was searching the internet for stories of hope while awaiting test results.
Lightbulb.
There is a need for a space online for people to feel uncertain. A place to provide information “just in case.” A place to offer stories of HOPE. Yes, Pilar, I recognize your feelings. I’ve walked in your shoes and felt that “what if?” pit in my stomach while awaiting test results. So many of us have. Gosh, I’m such a planner, I’ve gone down the path of being sick, dying and making sure my funeral was planned in advance. Silly? No, reality. We are all human and as such we have a brain that continues to think – consciously or unconsciously about what is happening in our lives. When we are not in control of a situation, the brain has a hard time figuring out where to file that information. When answers are “up in the air” things may manifest themselves in worry, stress, insomnia, headaches…the list goes on, but you get the idea.
So I write today in honor of HOPE. The same type of HOPE that is inspired at the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life (pictured above). The same type of HOPE that gets us through the tough times. Pilar, I understand what you are searching for; what you are feeling is alright. Thankfully, your HOPE was answered with a benign test result. Thank God! Many will receive test results today or are waiting and it is not a good space to be in, I know.
In Pilar’s words, here is what she found while she was waiting to hear test results. It was these words that gave her HOPE. She hopes if you are searching, they’ll help you too:
Some of the information found online which helped me stay positive was:
Percentage-wise: 80% of microcalcifications are benign. For BI-RADS 4B only 36% are not benign (this percentage varies based on the study/ source but this was the percentage that worked for me in my mind).
“Most often, these calcifications are associated with fibrocystic changes, including fibrosis, adenosis, sclerosing adenosis (Figure 13), epithelial hyperplasia, and atypical hyperplasias. They may occur in lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) incidentally.”
Also, in case that I happened to be part of the smaller percentage, chances were I would be diagnosed with DCIS (vs. ductal infiltrating carcinoma) which has very good survival rates and is considered to be a precancer. Actually, a study showed that 40% of women between the ages of 40 and 50 who died from other causes and had an autopsy, were found to have DCIS. This means that in many cases DCIS does not evolve into cancer.
“DCIS is one cancer that can truly be considered curable.”
“Today, with standard treatment, 10-year survival rates for DCIS are approaching 100%, and the treatment is usually not too difficult to tolerate.”
Wherever you are on your road, whatever your test results are or will be, HOPE can be found if you just look hard enough. If you have a story of HOPE, please feel to comment on this blog or email me at britta4batavia@comcast.net. I’d love to hear your story and share it too. Yes, Pilar you are right. We need to share the good news more often. Thanks for the reminder.
Thank you for creating this website. I am 32 y.o. and was recently diagnosed with DCIS. My surgery is in a week and I opted for a double mastectomy (although affected is only left side) for prophylactic purposes. I am terrified to know that there is a possibility the post-surgery final pathology report is considered the actual and may bring up something omitted at original ultrasound guided needle biopsy. I pray it is solely DCIS. Please pray for me too.
I am scared. Very much. I want to live. I do not even have own family and children yet. That was my dream..
Hi Daisy,
I feel your fear as I read your comment. I have walked in your shoes and know the fear first hand. Take a deep breath, pray, talk to your loved ones and make plans for the future. Follow my Top 10 Tips for before and after mastectomy to help ease your road ahead. Be strong and be sure to let others help you when they offer. May your surgeon’s hands be guided to success and the results be the best possible news. Warm Regards, Britta
Daisy
I hope your surgery had gone well and you are feeling much better now. I am pretty sure you have been through the worse and God permitting the final pathology report was clear. Please let me know your experience with the double mastectomy. I am also considering that option for prophylactic purposes.
All the best
Hi Pilar,
Thank you for the kind words. It’s been three months since my surgery. Praises be to God, I fell very well and recovered. I found the physical aspect of healing not as bad, however mentally I am still struggling. It is a major mental impact. But God willing, I’ll overcome it as well.
I healed fast and well, thank God. I’ve resumed light physical exercise, go to gym, do yoga and jog. I still have expanders and will have a replacement surgery in a month. People say silicone implants will feel very comfortable and I won’t even feel them. A friend of mine whose gone through same says she only recalls of her DCIS experience by looking in the mirror and seeing scars. Otherwise, boobs should feel comfy.
I am glad I’ve done the prophylactic as well as it freed me of the need for hormonal therapy. I sought opinion of 2 very good oncologists and both said since I’ve done both, there is no need for any treatment. Just healing the wounds. It is also such a peace of mind – not to worry about things coming up on the other side.
It is sad, of course, to not be able breastfeed and having children and being Mom is my greatest wish. I do not have any children yet. But at least, the prophylactic approach has spared me 5 reproductive years.
God bless you with easy surgery and quick recovery. Feel free to ask questions about surgery and recovery. Kind regards.
Hi Daisy
I am not sure if you will see this after so long but I was hoping everything is well. Hopefully you have been blessed with a baby or will have that blessing soon.