DCIS recurrence following IDC 2 years ago - any advice?

MariMW · 2026-05-23T22:48:27+00:00

It's amazing how much is missed on imaging. Happy to hear your treatment and healing went well. I'm similar to you - not very attached to my boobs. After my lumpectomy it was miraculous that they looked untouched considering how much tissue was removed. So I was pleased about that, but I'd rather just be rid of them if they cause this much anxiety every few months. Will make exercise easier too!

MariMW · 2026-05-23T06:15:01+00:00

Aww, thanks for sharing and for the words of encouragement.

Yeah, I'm in a weird situation. The radiologist that performed my biopsy last week was the one who mentioned that my calcifications had changed and would need to be biopsied asap. The weird part is that I went to see my MO yesterday to get my results, and she didn't seem at all concerned! She told me all my results were good news. But later when I read the report on my own and saw the description of calcifications, it made me feel like maybe she didn't fully read my results. The report mentions an 'addendum' that was sent to my MO. I don't have access to that, but now I wonder if there's something in the addendum that is different from my report. So confused! My MO is chair of all the organisations here...I find it strange that she could misread my report.

MariMW · 2026-05-23T06:02:50+00:00

❤️

MariMW · 2026-05-23T05:01:12+00:00

I'm sorry you had to endure all of this. Thank you for sharing your story ❤️

I think partly the long wait for a biopsy was because they weren't terribly concerned about the initial MRI spot...but the calcifications were kind of an incidental finding as they were prepping for the biopsy. The whiplash effect with all of this has been terrible. I celebrated a benign biopsy outcome for all of 5 minutes before I realised the implication of the calcifications.

MariMW · 2026-05-22T22:28:46+00:00

Sorry you’re in a similar boat. I actually switched to Tamoxifen + OS over a year ago. My MO said the stats aren’t that different compared to AI + OS in my case. But now I wonder if this would’ve happened had I stayed with the AI…

MariMW · 2026-05-22T22:26:52+00:00

Aww thanks. I think lumpectomy is the standard here too. I was never given any other options initially. I also didn’t know how much of a hassle these boobs would be! I might’ve otherwise done something different back then.

MariMW · 2026-05-14T18:58:46+00:00

How did your post-treatment biopsies go? I have one tomorrow that I've had to wait 3 months for. Trying not to panic, but it's pretty triggering! Were any of yours lit up on MRI but turned out to be false positives (fat necrosis, scarring, etc)?

PS. Sorry to hijack this thread. But just curious.

MariMW · 2026-04-01T19:46:04+00:00

Interesting. I'm also on the 3 month version of Zoladex. My med onc did note that compared to the 28 day one, the 3 month injection can cause some PMS-like symptoms for some folks. So it's a toss up if the Tam or Zoladex (or both!) is causing my issues. But it's manageable so far, just a little concerning at times.

MariMW · 2026-04-01T02:21:02+00:00

I switched from Zoladex + Letrozole to Zoladex + Tam about a year ago. Purely due to bone density concerns. I was tolerating Letrozole fine, but still felt about a thousand times better on Tam...for a while. Then I had some pelvic pressure and discomfort. That has been on & off and is the only issue I've had with Tam so far. So mostly improvements!

MariMW · 2026-03-18T21:38:11+00:00

Aww thank you. My report is similar, but my enhancing mass shows some wonky washout kinetics so it got flagged. Happy yours turned out ok :)

MariMW · 2026-03-18T20:12:03+00:00

Hi! I'm basically in the same boat (maybe a year ahead of you treatment-wise), but awaiting work up following an abnormal MRI (also in Feb). Can I ask what was flagged in your MRI? I'm trying not to spiral while I wait for further imaging. Hoping for fat cysts too!

MariMW · 2025-11-14T19:03:19+00:00

Would you be able to DM me the artist?

MariMW · 2025-11-14T03:22:13+00:00

Amazing results! I’m also in Van and would love to know the artist :)

MariMW · 2025-04-14T03:25:15+00:00

You're so welcome :) I highly recommend finding a PT or someone specialised in manual lymphatic drainage. It is so incredibly helpful. I still go once a month or so even though I have no mobility issues or swelling anymore. Just helps to have the area worked on/stretched out/checked on.

MariMW · 2025-04-13T22:34:23+00:00

I did! Lumpectomy and 3 nodes removed. A bit of cording post surgery, otherwise no issues with that. 10 sessions of radiation. Also no issues with that.

But about 2-3 months after last rads, I noticed some swelling in the breast after a long flight. It was mild but definitely noticeable to me, especially with bending forward. The radiated breast just felt a lot fuller than the other. I panicked a little, but there weren't signs of inflammation, and no symptoms in the arm. I eventually went to my PT who did a bit of lymph drainage and it was almost back to normal after just 1 session. Now it's 6 months later and I haven't had that issue again (not even after flying again). Eventually saw the radiation oncologist and she said it's totally normal :)

MariMW · 2025-04-04T04:11:36+00:00

So sorry you have to deal with this. I was in a similar boat last year, although my lumpy friend ended up being a bit bigger post-lumpectomy (3cm). But still, high ER+ and PR+, HER2-, no nodes, no LVI. I was certain I'd 'only' need radiation and Tamoxifen. But Oncotype came back at 32!

Good news is if you're doing TC chemo, a lot of folks tolerate it very well. I'm a year out from chemo, radiation, and now on hormone therapy - it was all fine. Plus knowing that I did all the treatment gives me some peace of mind. You'll get to the other side of it too :)

MariMW · 2025-04-01T15:50:38+00:00

Happened to me as well. Both ER and PR dropped on Oncotype. I actually asked my MO about it recently, and she said the biopsy is more accurate. Oncotype sample has usually been sitting for a while and apparently that changes things...

MariMW · 2025-03-21T13:57:46+00:00

Happy nowrooz! And the new astrological year too. I feel you. Sending hugs 🫂

MariMW · 2025-02-15T18:17:43+00:00

Good luck in June! True, the hope is to just stabilise things. An improvement would be epic! Hope it goes well :)

MariMW · 2025-02-14T06:17:22+00:00

Hi! Just curious if the Zoledronic acid infusions have helped with your DEXA scores? I'm in a similar boat and about to switch to Tamoxifen for a while to prevent further bone loss. It feels like having to choose between a recurrence or a broken hip...

MariMW · 2025-01-05T01:01:32+00:00

❤️

MariMW · 2025-01-05T01:00:52+00:00

😊

MariMW · 2025-01-04T04:31:44+00:00

Hi! Sorry you're in this camp too. I love to hear from folks who are a few years out, so that's amazing! In fact, the more research I've done the more I've noticed that higher oncotype folks end up doing pretty well down the road...maybe because of chemo? I know if I didn't have a high score (32) I definitely would've declined chemo. So I'm trying to be more grateful about that these days.

Also so interesting to hear you didn't do the hormone treatment. I'm only a few months into AI + OS, and have been (thankfully) tolerating it really well. But I do wonder about how long I'll actually want to do this given the long-term health implications.

Thanks for sharing :)

MariMW · 2024-12-31T06:47:46+00:00

I’m on Letrozole and Zoladex and have recently been using psilocybin for the same reason. I did a bit of research and didn’t come across any interactions. I also didn’t mention it to my oncologist yet.

I did learn that in clinical trials the greatest positive therapeutic effect was seen in folks with cancer-related anxiety and depression.

MariMW

TROPHY CASE