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

Phone call from my doctor at NIGHT. Whenever your doctor calls you at home at NIGHT it can't be good! Even though it was early detection, all I heard was "carcinoma", and the rest was a blur. My daughter from Australia by coincidence, called me minutes later, and she got the news from me when I was in FULL ON "oh no" mode.

The hours of prep it took to actually GET to the operation on the day seemed eternal. The wire placement and yet another mammogram was done in a sensitive way, but an unpleasant procedure. Getting wheeled all over the hospital in my "pre surgery" state was uncomfortable. The actual lumpectomy took only HALF AN HOUR! Towards the end I was even having a conversation with my surgeon!

I live about an hour from where my radiation took place 5 days a week for 7 weeks. The first 2 weeks I stayed with my son in the town where treatments were. The other 5 weeks I commuted on the bus. It was summer, and I was feeling well enough to take my bike in the car to the bus stop. I wouild load it up on the front of the bus, unload it at my bus stop an hour later, ride it about a mile to my treatments, ride back to the bus stop afterwards, take the bus to my car near home, load bike back into car, and drive home. It sounds complicated and exhausting, and it was some days, but mostly I really enjoyed it. My exercize was built in, and I met some fascinating people on the bus!

Since I have light skin, and am fair, they worried my skin would break down easily. I did really well until the end, and I got a radiation burn on the side of my breast. It was treated with saline soaks (very awkward and messy) and creams. I used creams they prescribed from the start that were excellent.

Just a few weeks after my final treatment three members of my family and I walked in the "Relay for Life" event that was put on by the ACS. It seemed like the perfect way to celebrate, and I even raised a little money for the fund.

At the Olympic Medical Cancer Center, where I was treated, they offered me numerous services. I saw a nutritionist, Medical Oncologist, Physical Therapist, and even a "Navigator". I had FANTASTIC care at OMC--they became more than just my "health team", covering every aspect of my well being. They became my FRIENDS. They welcomed me sincerely every single day, asked about my life, and shared many light hearted moments. I really MISSED them when it was over.

I was counseled from a Medical Oncologist on taking hormonal treatments after my radiation, but declined. I felt the possible side effects, and small benefits didn't justify it.