Dis Breast Cancer Survivors - GAGWTA!

[snappy]

Good luck Christine. We are thinking of you. Glad to hear your mom will be with you.

Please let us know how you do. Ask for a copy of the report if you can. I found it helpful to have a hard copy of all test results. I always had to ask, they did not offer copies. Not that they mind doing it but you do have to ask.

for today.

Laurie

 

[snappy]

I had DCIS, too. I was a rating of 5. I didn't have an ultrasound, just a mammogram and needle core biopsy. They showed me the calcifications. I'd say they were irregular, but small and in several places. No one could feel them.

Welcome to our newest members. As others have said, I'm sorry you had to join us, but we're glad you are here. Feel free to share how you are feeling. We've all been there. It's not fun, but in my case it got much better. The early days are the worst because it's such a shock. Try to stay positive and believe that you can win this battle. We're here for you.

My life remains hectic. I'll be so glad on Saturday night when the school musical is over! The play begins Wednesday afternoon. My DD is so excited.

GAGWTA!

What play is your DD's school performing? What part does your DD have in it?
Hope she has a great time.

Has your husband heard more about that job?

 

[Christine]

and I'm feeling a LOT better.

I get in the room and he comes in and asks what was going on. I briefly fill him in while he's looking a the radiology reports and films. He says: and just WHY did you have an ultrasound? I explain to him that I had been to the GYN that morning and he ordered it based on what he felt.

He then looks at the mammograms (which he said hardly show anything). Then looks back at the songrams and shakes his head. He then exams me. Draws a deep sigh and says: on your right breast I think it is predominantly scar tissue, possibly encompassing a blood fill/blood hardened sac. On the left breast there is a cystic looking small thing there that really looks to me like fibrocystic breast change. BUT, he says, the radiologist really went nuts on her report, and because of this I have to do a biopsy. He then said, actually, there were a couple things we could do. One of which was to have another radiologist do an ultrasound but the other radiologist might be hesistant to call it benign and "criticize" the first report, so then what are you going to do.

Then he proceeds to tell me that he has had "trouble" with this particular radiologist before as in "freak out" reports. He told me that she had called him about me but, he said, not seeing the films, he couldn't comment.

So, he wants to do a biopsy on both breasts. Fortunately there will be no wire guide which relieves me to no end, for some reason. I probably won't get in until sometime after Thanksgiving. He also told me that even if there were cancellations that there were other women who were definitely in a more suspicious situation then me that were waiting to get in. He said he would be shocked if any of it was cancer, but of course, you never know. He then said that after my biopsies, if everything was indeed as he thinks it is, he will be calling the radiology department and lodging a formal complaint against this particular doctor because this has happened to many times. I was kind of surprised he told me that--usually doctors don't "tell" on each other but it was obvious to both me and my mom that he was *dismayed* with what I am going to have to go through now.

So in some weird, odd way--I feel better. Even though I'm having a biopsy on each breast, I feel better. Go figure.

 

[WeluvDisney2]

That is wonderful Christine. Thank you God! Keep us posted. ~Monique

and I'm feeling a LOT better.

I get in the room and he comes in and asks what was going on. I briefly fill him in while he's looking a the radiology reports and films. He says: and just WHY did you have an ultrasound? I explain to him that I had been to the GYN that morning and he ordered it based on what he felt.

He then looks at the mammograms (which he said hardly show anything). Then looks back at the songrams and shakes his head. He then exams me. Draws a deep sigh and says: on your right breast I think it is predominantly scar tissue, possibly encompassing a blood fill/blood hardened sac. On the left breast there is a cystic looking small thing there that really looks to me like fibrocystic breast change. BUT, he says, the radiologist really went nuts on her report, and because of this I have to do a biopsy. He then said, actually, there were a couple things we could do. One of which was to have another radiologist do an ultrasound but the other radiologist might be hesistant to call it benign and "criticize" the first report, so then what are you going to do.

Then he proceeds to tell me that he has had "trouble" with this particular radiologist before as in "freak out" reports. He told me that she had called him about me but, he said, not seeing the films, he couldn't comment.

So, he wants to do a biopsy on both breasts. Fortunately there will be no wire guide which relieves me to no end, for some reason. I probably won't get in until sometime after Thanksgiving. He also told me that even if there were cancellations that there were other women who were definitely in a more suspicious situation then me that were waiting to get in. He said he would be shocked if any of it was cancer, but of course, you never know. He then said that after my biopsies, if everything was indeed as he thinks it is, he will be calling the radiology department and lodging a formal complaint against this particular doctor because this has happened to many times. I was kind of surprised he told me that--usually doctors don't "tell" on each other but it was obvious to both me and my mom that he was *dismayed* with what I am going to have to go through now.

So in some weird, odd way--I feel better. Even though I'm having a biopsy on each breast, I feel better. Go figure.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Christine, I'm glad you feel better after your visit. You've gotten a glimpse into what us staff "behind the scenes" see all the time.

I searched this thread and couldn't find it, but a couple of times I've told of what happened with me last year on my first mammograms post treatment. It also involved the radiologist and my breast surgeon.

In abbreviated form: the radiologist saw a spot on my "other" breast so we did an ultrasound as well as a mamm; my surgeon told me - with the saddest face I've ever seen - that it indeed looked like a new cancer and spent a lot of time that day going over my surgical options. My oncologist called me at home having been alerted by the surgeon to say she'd hate to see me have to have more chemo. To say I was completely devastated would be a huge understatement. I wanted to get through my kids' birthday party without the sadness of the previous year, and there were delays in scheduling the excisional biopsy which was to be done in the hospital under anasthesia, so six weeks of despair went by with my believing I had cancer again and that all I'd gone through was for naught.

When I showed up for surgery that day the hospital radiologist could not find it. They called my surgeon to the room and she gave me the option of still going ahead and taking the area out (CYA I'm sure). As I lay on the table softly crying at this "miracle" that has just occurred, the radiologist got pretty obnoxious about the first radiologist saying had he seen this film that day he would have sent me home, etc... basically criticizing the the first radiologist - who I myself harbored no ill will against. Then the radiologist became kind of rude when he asked if I had any questions and I kept saying, in disbelief, "are you sure there's nothing there"? He snapped in front of everyone there including my DH, surgeon and tech, "for the third time, there's nothing there"! He did nothing to soothe me in the least. To be quite honest, I left there feeling unsure of who was right. I prayed it was him.

This occurred in my own hospital. So not only was I a patient, I was a fellow employee to this rude fellow (who I'd never met before, but he is supposed to be one of the best in the field). I wrote a letter to my surgeon saying I did not feel confident in his findings because of his obnoxious behavior. To her credit, she did not unleash on him but she said this is not a unique complaint. I knew exactly what she meant because we have some wonderful doctors who can sometimes be rather full of themselves - I know the personality well. We rechecked again in several months and the spot was not there, in fact they think it was a premenstrual change since they original images were taken right before my period (you may want to ask for repeat imaging after your period to see if they differ). I now get all my imaging done at my own hospital for consistency. As I said, I hold no ill will toward anyone, it just is what it is, and when I really thought about it I figured I'd rather have them overreact than underreact.

There are all types of personalities and skill levels in the people we see for our care. Some are better than others. I have literally worked with thousands of doctors over the years and have enjoyed watching them practice, kind of made my own little study about it. It sounds like the radiologist is extremely thorough which is really what we want, isn't it? Did you feel a bit uncomfortable during the surgeon's ramblings? I would have.

 

[Christine]

It sounds like the radiologist is extremely thorough which is really what we want, isn't it? Did you feel a bit uncomfortable during the surgeon's ramblings? I would have.

Pea-n-Me: Thanks for your story. Honestly, I didn't get the impression (last week) that this particular radiologist was being extremely "thorough". At that point, my first impression was that she was totally flipped out by what she saw and not very good and maintaining a "professional" demeanor, if you get what I'm saying? She had me VERY shaken up. So much so that for the last week I began to doubt my entire judgement of how I perceived the situation. You know how, when you are scared, you start reading things into people's expressions and tone of voice they maybe aren't really there? Well, I was just second guessing myself and my anxiety and paranoia all week.

One thing I left out in my last post: the surgeon said that there was an option for me to go back to the facility and have another ultrasound by another radiologist. The only problem with it is that he wants me to go back to the same facility which he feels is the best in the area. They have 7 or 8 different locations and I would go to a different location. The problem with this, he says, is that the new radiologist will see the other report. He said that it will be very hard for the new radiologist to "conflict" with the first report that suspects cancer. Even if this 2nd study (by a more experienced radiologist) looks benign and harmless, he said that the 2nd radiologist will be hard pressed to go on record as "benign looking." And, he said, even if the radiologist did do that, we'd still be sitting here with two reports: one benign-looking and one suspicious--then all I would probably do is worry. So, the surgeon would let me go do this if I wanted but, instead, I've opted to go with his recommendation for the definitive biopsy. It will be excisional like the last one. They will go into both breasts using the old scars.

Anyway, I'm not really angry at the first radiologist. I certainly don't think there was any ill-will on her part. But, my surgeon has now told me that he has had "more than one case" of her reports causing very unneccessary surgery. Unfortunately, he cannot ignore. Honestly, I think he must have had a lot more cases involving her that he did not like. I'm sort of shocked that he even told me about it because doctors do not usually do this, but I could tell he was very upset. And if this radiologist is having problems properly reading ultrasounds, then maybe she needs to have this brought up. I don't believe this doctor would "report her" over one case. So, something more is going on here.

Anyway, I just feel better that my judgement of the whole situation was not way off base. But, it isn't over "till the fat lady sings" right? I remember the *confidence* everyone had over my thyroid lump. That one didn't turn out so well.

 

[NHAnn]

Christine~ wow! What a roller coaster this is!! I am glad that you're feeling better, but yikes...I can't imagine the added emotion stemming from the conflict between surgeon and radiologist ~
Hang in there, keep us posted

GAGWTA!!

 

[MerryPoppins]

What play is your DD's school performing? What part does your DD have in it?
Hope she has a great time.

Has your husband heard more about that job?

They are doing Kiss Me Kate. Amy is a freshman, so she's in the chorus, but she's hoping for a "part" next year. She does however have a solo, so she's really excited.

No news. But that's good news, right? LOL! We hope to hear something in the next week or so. They said not to expect anything until at least two weeks after the job "closed".

 

[MerryPoppins]

Man Christine. What a day! I'm glad that the surgeon seems to think things are better than you were led to believe, but I think it's good that you decided to go on with the biopsy. I know I would worry in your shoes, even if I thought it was benign. This way you'll know. Hang in there and keep us posted. I have my fingers crossed and you are on my prayer list.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Christine, as a general rule, mammograms (not necessarily ultrasounds) are usually read and signed off on by two radiologists. I guess I'd want to know if both radiologists agreed on the findings and recommendations. I would really consider re-doing the mamms and US after you get your period, too, and ask for them to be read by someone else (which would actually be by two other people). Ethical, caring doctors don't care what other doctors think, they'll do the right thing and not necessarily stick up for each other. If this radiologist is that much of a problem maybe they'd use your case to do something about it. Like in my case, the spots could be changed or different if they are premenstrual changes, and maybe you'll decide to watch it or whatever. Good luck whatever you decide. I'm sorry you have to deal with this.

 

[Christine]

Christine, as a general rule, mammograms (not necessarily ultrasounds) are usually read and signed off on by two radiologists. I guess I'd want to know if both radiologists agreed on the findings and recommendations. I would really consider re-doing the mamms and US after you get your period, too, and ask for them to be read by someone else (which would actually be by two other people). Ethical, caring doctors don't care what other doctors think, they'll do the right thing and not necessarily stick up for each other. If this radiologist is that much of a problem maybe they'd use your case to do something about it. Like in my case, the spots could be changed or different if they are premenstrual changes, and maybe you'll decide to watch it or whatever. Good luck whatever you decide. I'm sorry you have to deal with this.

Pea-n-me: According to my surgeon, my mammogram looked great. That is why he was puzzled and said "Just why did you have an ultrasound?" I then explained that I had been to my GYN that morning and he didn't like the way the "scar tissue" felt at my surgery site. Basically, the sonogram was done on the request of my GYN and, if he had not done it, I *probably* would have been let go by the picture of the mammograms which the surgeon said "looked great." So, it is really the radiologist that read the sonogram that he has the problem with.

The surgeon did say that a more experienced (better) radiologist (i.e., one that the surgeon likes) would probably read the ultrasound and give it a "benign-like" report but I would STILL have a report in my hand that discusses a possible suspicion. At this point, I think it is a CYA thing I'm going to have to endure.

I am not looking forward to a double biopsy, but it would also be good to get this "thing" out of my breast that was from the last surgery. It sounds as if I may have had a hematoma that has partially solified and then scar tissue has grown around it.

 

[laurabelle]

~~~***GAGWTA sistas***~~~

Christine- That sounds much more positive (in a good way!). I'm sorry this rad doc is putting you through so much anxiety though. It is pretty incredible that your surgeon will share that he is going to report her...good for him! Though I know how you feel, it sucks that you may need a biopsy, but at the same you'll feel better knowing for sure it's benign. Looking forward to more good news from you!

It's been a busy American Ed. week visiting the kid's classrooms. Normally I'm a fixture in Elementary school, but since I'm immune supressed I've been avoiding it like the plague, lol, so it was good to be in 4th grade! My oldest is in 7th, and middle school sure isn't what it was when I went! She has some great (and funny! ) teachers.

Three weeks to go to my trip and I decided yesterday to move my flight up to Friday morning so we'll have that whole day in the parks! I'll have to tell the kids sooner, since they'll be getting homework for the 2 days they'll miss (that's a big clue huh!?!) I just have to decide how...

 

[Christine]

~~~***GAGWTA sistas***~~~

Christine- That sounds much more positive (in a good way!). I'm sorry this rad doc is putting you through so much anxiety though. It is pretty incredible that your surgeon will share that he is going to report her...good for him! Though I know how you feel, it sucks that you may need a biopsy, but at the same you'll feel better knowing for sure it's benign. Looking forward to more good news from you!

Well, I *was* doing pretty well after my visit. I happened to "meet up" with someone on the internet who has the same surgeon that I do and also went through the same radiology "factory" that I did. Although, she got a very good radiologist reading her mammograms. Anyway, to make a very long story short, she relayed to me that our surgeon also felt that in her case the radiologist was probably overreacting. But, in the end, it turned out that the radiologist was correct and she had DCIS. So, that news kind of took the wind out of my sails, so to speak. I mean, it was a bit different in that my surgeon seemed really upset by my report. He wasn't "really upset" with the other woman's report--just that he wasn't that alarmed.

Fortunately, the woman did relay to me that she still had the utmost confidence in the surgeon, he is still THE BEST in Northern Virginia and was recommended by all the nurses that she is friends with. So, it is a relief that I'm in the best hands, but I'm kind of back to being a bit scared.

Still don't have my surgery date yet.

 

[Christine]

It's going to be on November 23 (day before Thanksgiving). Happy and scared at the same time.

The doctor told me that he wouldn't be able to get me in prior to Thanksgiving, so that was some good news. The surgical coordinator told me that the doctor really has no idea and that it is pretty much based on what the hospital has.

So, I have to travel to another hospital a bit further away, but still the same surgeon. Then I guess I will recuperate with my two sore breasts over the holiday. Post-op appointment, with results, will be December 1st.

It will be a very LONG two weeks or so.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

GAGWTA!

Just a quick hello, hope everyone's doing well.

DH and I are both working on Thanksgiving so we're having our holiday this weekend with my family; we'll see his family for a little while on Thursday. In a way it's kind of nice, you miss the traffic and don't have to rush out somewhere else. Last year a patient's family brought us an entire Thanksgiving dinner on T day, I couldn't believe someone would do that. We try to let as many people go home as we can, but there's always some still there. Believe it or not, I don't mind being there on holidays too much.

Laura, glad you made it into the classroom. My kids teacher is pretty fastidiously detailed, so I was surprised when she forgot to send out the notice about the Open House in the classrooms this week (just got it yesterday). DH and I were both home on Tuesday but didn't even know there was an Open House. The kids were upset we didn't go. Apparently the only parents who showed up were the ones who had kids in other grades who got the notices from teachers who sent them out on time. Report cards today.

Christine, my surgery was the day before Thanksgiving 2003. Somewhere in this thread I wrote about it. If you can, make sure you're scheduled early in the day as it gets kind of sparse the day before a major holiday, they usually try to let staff go home as the patients dwindle down. If it's any consolation, I was able to go to dinner the next day, I surprised myself.

 

[suzadrew]

Hello all,

I posted a quick hello a few weeks agao before I went on a wonder 7 day Western Magic.

I just thought I'd give my full background this time.

About 16months ago, June/04, I found a lump. I went straight to the doctor who ordered a ultrasound but no mammo. No one called so I called them to get the results. I can't quite remember what they said maybe fibrosis? They did not use the word cyst. After they rattled off what is was I got a quick "OK? Alright bye then" To be honest I was just so happy they didn't want to do a biopsy or further test I just tried to put it out of my mind.

I had a full physical in Nov/04 but no mention of the lump. Well now along comes Oct/05 and the lump has continued to get bigger & now itches & hurts often. It has gone from a pea size to a very large grape size. So back to the doctor I go. Yes I know I should have asked more questions or gone sooner but I hope most of you will understand I found a wonderful little place called denile to hang out in figuring if it was something to worry about the doctors would have said something.

I get to the doc about 2months ago now and she's supprised that no one followed up 16months ago. (talk about your sinking stomach feeling). She sends me for another ultrasound & a mammo this time, but they're very busy & I have to wait 3+ weeks to get in.

I wait 4 days but again no one calls so this time I go in to talk to the doc in person. My regular doc is away so I see her replacement who reads me the reports. I wish I'd gotten copies it was all so confusing to me. What I did get was "The mammo showed no signs of maglignancy - however the breasts were too dense for a fully accurate scan." The ultrasound showed at least 5 lumps. Several of which they would like to do biopsy's on.

This is 2 days before my cruise so I ask if I can go on my cruise of if I should cancel. She assures me that I should go & I'll have the appt when I get back.
When I return Nov 7, I call the doctor to find out the date & they say they'll call me right back. They call back with a Dec 7th date. I'm almost positive they forgot to book it when I was there so now I have to wait another 3 weeks. I call the clinic everyday, usually in tears hoping for a cancellation but they keep saying "sorry cancellations are rare but we DO have you on the list" I know I should stop bugging them but that 2minute phone call everyday give me just a little extra hope.

I've been reading many of your posts & how most of you have your DH go to every appt but I am on the other side. I haven't told anyone. Not my DH not my DS not my best friend. I guess it's like any grief somehow if I don't say it out loud, maybe it isn't real.


I've been reading all your posts, I'm up to #241. There is so much great information in all you ladies and a few wonderful gentlemen too. Thank you all for being there and listening to those of us out here that aren't ready to face the "real" world with this yet.

Suzanne

 

[Christine]

GAGWTA!


Christine, my surgery was the day before Thanksgiving 2003. Somewhere in this thread I wrote about it. If you can, make sure you're scheduled early in the day as it gets kind of sparse the day before a major holiday, they usually try to let staff go home as the patients dwindle down. If it's any consolation, I was able to go to dinner the next day, I surprised myself.

My surgery is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. and I have to be there by 8:30 a.m. I guess that's early enough? That was the best I could do. I figured it might be sparse that day. Probably most people don't want to have surgery the day before a major holiday--probably why I got the appointment. My mind keeps going nuts. I keep thinking: maybe there was a note in my file from the doctor that said "Get this woman in here ASAP!!" The doctor had told me that I probably wouldn't get in before Thanksgiving and I did. Very, very hard not to be paranoid.

 

[laurabelle]

~~~***GAGWTA sistas***~~~

Christine- I'm sorry you are feeling more discouraged again. Unfortunately (or fortunately!) the docs can't know for sure until they do a biopsy. My surgeon told me he was 95% sure I didn't have breast cancer, so believe me, they can be wrong. I'm glad you are going soon and I'll be praying you get good news quickly and that you're feeling good enough to enjoy your Thanksgiving!

Suzanne- I'm so sorry you are going through this, but I'm glad you are posting here...you're not alone!
Don't feel guilty about what is in the past, you can't do a thing about that. I'm sorry you haven't been able to get in any sooner, 3 weeks is ridiculous. I would be calling every day too. You are in my thoughts and prayers and I hope you come here often.

Linda- I bet it killed you and your hubby to know you could have been there and your kids were so disappointed. Monday is report card day here and elem. conference day, so I guess I get to speed read through her report card and think of questions at the same time. That should be a challenge for my chemo brain...

Today I took my last dose of steroids!!!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Suzanne, try not to beat yourself up over this. You can only look forward and take it from here. Please reconsider talking to someone IRL, it's such a difficult thing to go through alone. We're here anytime, please let us know how you're doing.

 

[Christine]

Suzanne,
I just finished reading your post and, believe me, I know how hard it is to wait. Everyday last week, I was calling my surgeon's office hoping for a cancellation. They told me they really hardly get cancellations, but I had that same hope every morning that it would bring me one day closer to a diagnosis.

What I do want to add is to PLEASE consider taking someone with you. You may not need them to be there for the biopsy itself. I will tell you--I really, really consider myself to be a savvy, on-top-of-things kind of person. But with stuff like this, I get really upset. A few times when I have gone to the doctor myself, I walk out of there and have forgotten what he has said, or are start "reading" things into what was said that aren't there--because I am so scared, I feel I'm just not hearing things properly. Or I get very flustered. I'm only KICKING myself because I didn't have someone in the ultrasound room with me.

So, for the last two appointments, I've started taking my mom with me (I know, I'm almost 42 and my mom is still taking me to the doctor). It has helped immensely with getting the information right. While I am "strong" enough that I can go places and do things by myself (and deal with bad news alone), it really helps to have that extra set of "ears" in the office.

So reconsider telling someone that you think you would be comfortable taking along with you.

laurabelle--I am still so scared. I keep feeling my lumps. And the "new" lump on my left breast feels like the granular tissue I have been feeling for 20 years. I just had my period, so now is a really good time to check. I remember getting "whizzed" out about this area many, many years ago. I actually went to a breast surgeon and had a sonogram on it. They told me that it was "granular breast tissue" whatever that means. It is where I had surgery so long ago. Of course, when I saw that surgeon and had that sonogram I was in my late 20s and my breasts were very dense. Everything seems easier to feel now--more mushy, and I am wondering if that's why it is showing up now (besides the fact that I'm now having mammograms due to my age and I wasn't having them then). So, I feel, and I feel, and I feel. Yes I can feel something, but it's what has always been there. But, OMG, I can't help but be so scared.

I have spent all evening thinking about this surgery. Let's face it--they aren't biopsies--they are surgery. I posted on another thread about having my biopsies this week, and several people thought I was having the simple needle biopsies. They were kind of shocked when I elaborated on the actual "cutting."

You know, I read all about these needly biopsies and, in fact, had them done when I was in my 20s (although nothing came out of any of the m because they were fibroadenomas). Now, according to 4 doctors and several nurses, and some new internet friends, I am apparently going to one of the top breast surgeons in Northern Virginia. Why am I having excisional biopsies? Are needle biopsies not the norm anymore?

Well sorry to ramble.