ladybug's Journey with Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)

I received the diagnosis 10 days after my 95 year old mother's funeral, and the week before I was planning on flying from the midwest to NC for the arrival of our first grandchild. My emotions were all over the place.

Clear margins were not found after the first or second surgery so a mastectomy was recommended. In pursuit of information about reconstructive surgery I contacted the Mayo Clinic. A wise and caring nurse on the phone suggested that I come for a second opinion. During this appointment in mid-October, I was encouraged to find out that a third lumpectomy could be considered which delighted me because by this time I'd ruled out reconstructive surgery. So my third lumpectomey was in November, 2011. I had severe headaches from the anesthesia following the first two surgeries in my hometown and no side effects what so following the last surgery In Rochester, MN

Couldn't be easier! Prior to this the only meds that I'd ever taken were for occasional headaches or upper respriatory infection.

Radiation began just before Thanksgiving and ended December 31st. No problems, very comfortable, great staff...overall a very good experience. Then at the end of January I had redness and swelling that got worse over the next few days. The surgery site looked like a blister...lots of fluid behind the skin but the skin was fairly thick so it wasn't about to open or anything but I was very uncomfortable to say the least. Antibiotics were started immediately to no avail. A surgery drained some of the built up fluid but other than some pressure relief it didn't help. Different antibiotics were tried, again with no affect on it. During a scheduled 3 month check up at the Mayo, the doctors there did an ultrasound and then proceeded to aspirate the site...two different doctors, two different needle aspirations on the same day! The fluid gradually diminished in size and during a 6 month check-up in May called it a seroma...something that is not uncommon following radiation! Much to my chagrin (and discomfort) a mammogram was scheduled. Several days later the site opened up and drained on its own! It is all behind me now...and I plan on only routine checkups going forward. I was glad for the radiation vs chemo but did not expect the seroma surprise!