NancyLee's Journey with Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
Survivor: Breast Cancer > Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
Patient Info: Finished active treatment less than 5 years ago, Diagnosed: almost 9 years ago, Female, Age: 77, Stage 0
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Experience Icon Descriptions
Procedure: Drag this icon to show a procedure.
Radiation: Drag this icon to show a specific radiation therapy experience.
Drug Therapy: Drag this icon to show a specific drug therapy experience.
Clinical Trial: Drag this icon to show a clinical trial experience.
Side Effect: Drag this icon to show experience with a specific side effect.
Oh No: Drag this icon to show when something bad happened (e.g., cancer’s back, lost job).
Celebration: Drag this icon to show when something good happened (e.g., last treatment, hair is back).
Loss: Drag this icon to show a time of loss (e.g., lost hair, lost loved one).
Decision Point: Drag this icon to show a time when you had to make a tough decision.
Other Care: Draft this icon to show a time when you needed other care (e.g., hospice, psychotherapy).
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Diagnosed
Oh No
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.
Lumpectomy
Procedure or Surgery
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!
External radiation
Radiation
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!
Skin burn
Side Effects
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.
Walk
Celebration
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.
Various services and offers
Other Care
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.
Decision Point
This person has yet to add any details about this experience.
Hormonal treatment
Decision Point
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.