Diagnosed with DCIS?

Question

About 6 months ago I was diagnosed with DCIS. It has not gone into the lymph nodes and I am currently on chemo. I have survived 4 bouts of cancer , I use conventional as well as alternative medicine to deal with this condition.

My problem is that I am getting very tired of fighting-the chemo just has made so weak, sick and depressed, I just do not know if I have the energy or desire to continue the fight.

Can any one give me some suggestions or encouraging thoughts or words? Thanks so much

Answer 1

I don't know what DCIS is but please keep fighting. I am about the same age as you and just found out that I have a huge tumor on my spine and that it could have spread from elsewhere.. I have been told that when you get scared and give up your body gives away a signal to stop fighting. Please don't stop fighting. Stay positive...Think about your family. Think about baby steps.  I am sending good thoughts your way.

Answer 2

I'm don't know what your other cancer diagnoses were, but in many cases chemo is not required for DCIS.  A discussion with your oncologist about the cost/benefit of continuing chemo would probably be a good idea.  I understand your feelings of weakness and depression due to chemo, but there are ways to deal with both.  I was so weak I really could not walk, blood transfusions are miraculous and there is something procrit? to boost your red blood cells.  Neupogen and Neulasta boost white cell production.   When I was at my lowest, unable to get out of bed unaided, I was ready to give up.  That was 2 years ago.  Now life is good and I'm enjoying my husband and sons and my new kitten.

I recommend www.breastcancer.com for information and for encouraging words.

Answer 3

If you are depressed than there is treatment for that condition and you should talk to your doctor or the oncological social worker. They can help you deal with this.

I am uncertain from your answer which type of cancer that you have survived, the length of time, or anything about why you are discouraged. DCIS is a pre-cancerous condition . . have you talked to the doctor about your use of alternative meds . . sometimes the alternative does just the opposite of what is intended and actually encourages cancer growth by intefering with your conventional medication. Make sure that the alternative is not prolonging your medical situation by interacting unfavorably with your current medication.

Other than that, if you want to live you need to do what you need to do . . whether that is undergoing continued treatment or not. In many cases people are now living with cancer as a chronic disease . . and taking medication on a daily basis to control the cancer growth. Consider that diabetes also has no cure, but patients can take insulin to control the diabetes . . it can be the same with some types of cancer . . control the disease with medication. If it is not possible for your disease to be totally 'cured' . . than you will need to learn to live with it.

Best to you.

Answer 4

I don't like to say this but some are worse off than you. In my case I have had three brain tumors along with a tumor on my liver and one on my spine. When I was first informed about the tumor on my brain it was about  the size of a baseball and one the size of a golf ball. A Doc removed them both(they were on the frontal lobe). I had to spend 6 days in the hospital on recover. Two days after getting out I had to go back for blood clots that cost me another 15. So Jan 96 was a lost month foe me. My wife was going through Rn school and or kids were stay with her brother. i was not supposed to make it. But I did. My mother got a bad tumor in 03 and we lost her that same yr by Oct. I went back in for a check up and they found another brain tumor to which was removed later in Sept 05. This was the 2nd time on the right frontal lobe. Well maybe I'll be OK now. No, because one a follow uo they found yet two more one was back for the third time and I had a new one more back but was not operation. This time I was given the Gamma Knife. This took place in Oct 06. I have had now two follow ups and have been found so far all clear. the doc wants me to wait for another yr and then I might, might get to go two yrs b4 another check up. Why do they keep coming back, how or what caused them nobody has a good answer. The last one has cause a great deal of family troubles, one is I can not even sleep in the same room with my wife yet we do live under the same roof. If you get my over all there. We have a grandchild in FL, to which I can spend or see very little of. Yet each morning I get up and look at myself in the mirior and tell myself i can make it. I guess it has to do with spending 20 yrs in the USMC, or growing up on a farm in KS. But we can all keep going if we try, don't toss in your chips just yet. I'm not going to not until it is my time and when he says it is time then I'll just have to go to that place not touched by human hands. Do I want too? No but I'm not afraid of it, I'm more afraid of the pain and suffering. So I try and live as best I can and hope for the best. Good luck