Am I missing something?

webwriter

I'm down here in the backwoods of South Alabama, and for many reasons have lost confidence in the medical care here. I'm meeting with a surgeon in a nearby city today for a 2nd opinion, but after reading here I'm wondering if I don't need some more testing before surgery.

I had a mammogram and ultrasound which sent me for core biopsy on 11/18, the results came back 11/24 IDC grade II, multifocal vascular invasion. I'm still unsure what multifocal vascular invasion is, but the local surgeon told me I could choose lumpectomy with rads or mastectomy.

Should I be having MRI, CAT, PET or something before I decide? I'm a recaltrant smoker of 20+ years, with a quit date of surgery (with beloved husband) and am worried about rads with the lungs. No one has mentioned anything about it so far. Is this normal? Should I be heading up North to Birmingham where they're really good at this stuff?

Thanx ya'll. You're already a lifeline in a terrifying nightmare.

All my best,

Webbie 

cp418

You are very wise to be proactive and asking questions as you begin this journey.  I did a GOOGLE search regarding rads treatments and smoker.  There are several articles which came up.  'breast cancer lumpectomy radiation smoker'

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=breast+cancer+lumpectomy+radiation+smoker

Many patients gets additional scans as well to identify if other complications exist.  It is always an excellent idea to get 2-3rd opinion especially if you are able to travel else where.  Birmingham sounds like an excellent idea at least for consultation and 2nd opinion regarding your questions and seeking answers.  I'm sorry you had to join our group but know we are here to help you.

Analemma

Face your questions one at a time.  Right now the question is between mastectomy and lumpectomy.  Apparently the lump is small enough that a lumpectomy is a choice.  Lumpectomy plus radiation versus mastectomy are equal in terms of avoiding local recurrence. 

If you have vascular invasion that can be seen by a core biopsy, it's likely that you will get chemo, no matter what the size of the tumor or your lymph node status.  Cancer cells travel away from the tumor via lymph, but also through the blood.  That's what vascular invasion means, that they can see cancer cells invading the blood vessels.

I know there's a great hospital in Birmingham affiliated with the university, I believe.  My son had extremely complicated knee surgery there after a college wrestling injury in Chattanooga.  It might be worth a second opinion up front if your insurance will pay away from your local area.

webwriter

Thank you so much for the excellent recommendations. Each of you has contributed something valuable to the thought process and I am grateful.

I must, say however, that Analemma, you sound almost exactly like the second opionion (now first) doc we visited this afternoon. What a difference that second option made! I'm amazed, relieved, and hopeful for the very first time since this nightmare began. I'll never see that first surgeon again as long as I live.

I may still go up to Birmingham, yup, UAB, but the nurses I spoke with there this morning were less than encouraging and much less than helpful. I'm no longer sure I'd get the best care there even if it is the more advanced. 

My new doc is wonderful. I barely had time to ask my list of questions before he covered them all. (The last one just grunted and refused to answer anything saying it was all to be worried about later.) He was visibly shocked that I hadn't had an MRI yet and set his nurse to scheduling that before we left. He was honest about the odds of my qualifying for mammosite. However he assured me it is not because he thinks I have node involvement. (He's reasonably sure I'm stage I!!!!) Because my tumor is rather close to the surface there may not be room for the balloon. He also said I would most likely require chemo, not because of staging but because of my age and grade.  In all, he spent more than 45 minutes explaining, discussing and going over all the options, odds, current findings etc. He was in no rush at all, as if nothing in the world were more important to him than our total understanding of what was going on. He looked me in the eye the entire time, the first doc to do so in years.

What started out as a miserably fearful and horrifying day, has ended with more peace and hope than I've had in a very long time.

Not just because of him, but because of you three also. 

THANK YOU!!!!

All My Best,

Webbie

ladyjane54

I am just beginning this journey with you.  I can not believe how many post I have read about horrible doctors.  I guess I was lucky because the woman I was sent to after my diagnose  of invasive IDC was wonderful.  Sounds alot like you have found in your new doctor.  Surgery is scheduled for this Thursday.  Lumpectomy.  Also may be candidate for mammosite.  Dispite the fact that I have been told by many people that my doctor is the best in the county, I still can't help feeling maybe I am moving too fast on  this and should get second opinion.  I found my lump in the shower.  Went immediately to my doctor who sent me for mammogram and they decided right then that things look suspicious and did an ultrasound.  Went back next day for biopsy and waited three days for results.  I want this out of my body so much I am hoping I am not rushing into this surgery. Of course on the other hand I wonder if I am thinking about getting a 2nd opinion  just because I am scared to death of the surgery!  ugh! how do you deal with making life changing decisions when you are still numb from the diagnose..

webwriter

Hi LadyJane! Pleased/Sad to meet you. Sounds like our situations are similar. Once my Little Monkey goes down for the night and I have time to "talk" I have a few thoughts for you. Just wanted to say hello and that I totally "hear" you. It's hard to keep checking for responses, so I wanted you to have one right away. Hang tough. We can do this!

wishiwere

Ladies, I'm glad to meet you, sorry you have found yourselves here, but wanted to welcome you Many prayers and {{hugs}} for your journeys.

Webwriter, so glad you are getting an MRI with that doctor.  I think that is necessary for anyone who's been dx through bx to find out if everything else is okay before doing the lump and finding something else later! Good for you for getting that second opinion!

bee5467

Hi there Webbie & ladyjane --  I found this wonderful place after my surgery, chemo and radiation. You both have all of our hugs and support, and you are extremely fortunate to have found us this early in your journey.  Webbie, you've found the exact perfect Dr. for you.  I'm having a party in my kitchen, reading your words . . .  Salude! 

webwriter

Thanx for the courage and support ya'll. It's a heckuva ride, but good to know I'm not as alone as I thought. bee, I was at that party with you, right down to the apple pie. wishiwere, thanx for the hugs. I'm finding them the best therapy so far.

LadyJane, I'm sorry for not getting back to you last night. Apparently us newbies only get 5 posts per day! Now how in the heck am I gonna keep my mouth shut until I get passed that stage???? haha!

Let me know what you decide about your surgery. You're going to be roughly a week ahead of me! Nothing like being the trail blazer, eh? Honestly, if I'd been confident in my first doc, I wouldn't have gone for the second opinion. Second opinion is NEVER a bad idea, even if it's just to get a different perspective on things. In this case, my second mostly agreed with my first. (Lumpectomy with rads or mastectomy.) However, the professionalism combined with the amazing difference in bedside manner convinced me that the second was the way to go. The 1st doc didn't think chemo was in order and didn't order the MRI. I'd never have known I needed one unless I'd come here. The 2nd doc was the opposite. He'd rather be too aggressive than not aggressive enough. I AGREE! I have a three year old. I HAVE to make it long enough to get her on her feet. Knock me cold, but throw everything in the book at it. I don't want to look back later and say, wish we would've...

I may still wind up at UAB. They're really good at this from all accounts, but the two encounters I've had with their staff so far weren't exactly inspiring. My new doc IS. To me, that matters every bit as much as treatment. It's about confidence. It's about trust. It's about feeling totally informed and in control at a time when everything is confusing and chaotic.

Like you, I want it out and I want it out now. It feels like every single minute we wait is another minute it's spreading. Probably not the case, but that's how my mind works. Like you, I'm somewhere between numb and panic most of the time. It's tough to make decisions like this so fast. I second guess a lot. If I'd gone with the first surgeon I'd have had surgery yesterday! Now I have to wait another week. But if I'd gone with him I'd have had no MRI (less info about possible secondary tumors and sites) no chemo (increasing the risk of recurrance) and no hope of mammosite (more time away from my baby girl). I'm scared to death of the surgery, but less scared than I would have been before my shoulder repair 12 days ago. It was my first ever, so I'm a little less terrified than I would've been other wise.

I also have a husband who really gets me. Before the biopsy he told me he didn't care about anything except hanging onto me. It hit home hard because over the years he has frequently commented on his special affinity for "the girls." I got my hair cut short for the shoulder surgery and he didn't bat an eye. Yesterday when we found out about the chemo he said that he didn't care if I were bald either. I laughed and said, "That's because you haven't looked at the top of me since I got my hair cut!" He laughed too and told me that if it came to mastectomy he wanted immediate reconstruction made to match the photos he was going to take TONITE!" Screwball. Exactly the laughter I needed.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is that even though we're too scared to move, we have to put one foot in front of the other and keep going in the direction that really feels right. If you feel like all your questions are answered, that your doc really cares about what he does, and about you, then there's probably no need. But if you have the least niggling doubt, there's nothing to lose by a second opionion, even if you go with the first. Knowlege is power and right now you need all of that you can get.

I hope that large ramble helped. I'm feeling a ton better today even tho not a danged thing has changed. Odd the way information and levity can change the world!

Keep me posted. I'll be thinking of you!

All the Best,

Webbie

ladyjane54

I have decided no second opinion.  Mostly because I just want to get the surgery over with.  I really do trust my doc.  She  was wonderful in answering all my and my husband's quesions and he had a typed list a page and a half long lol.. He started researching and reading the day we got the diagnose so he was prepared.  I was still in shock and did not even know what to ask.  I love this discussion board because I have learned so much in a short time from everyone.  I will be forever grateful that I found it early.  I am a bit panicky tonight and will probably be worse tomorrow night, but I'll get through.  I teach preschool so the line "can't go over it, can't go under it, can't go around  it - guess we'll have to go through it" from Going on a Bear Hunt come to mind.  My daughter just called for a ride home - She's 14 (a little older than yours Webbie) so I much head off to get her.  Thanks to you all for being here.

webwriter

Sounds like you have a WONDERFUL Doc, LadyJane. Good for you! Drop me a line if you get too panicky. I'll be up quite a while tonite. I'm on an adrenaline high. Had a GREAT PT session today on the shoulder and a third opinion on my breast agreed with the 2nd except for mammosite--good reasons and he changed my mind. We'll do 3D targeted rads instead if Friday's MRI is okay. But! We're sticking with opinion #2 for surgery. He's awesome.)

I too taught preschool in my "former" life--young and single, haha! What a beauty those kids are, and what inspiration! I love your Bear Hunt line. I've lived by it all my life. I'm notorious for going "dead head straight through" according to my family. It's the only way. Can't change it. Might as well take it on and get it over with. 

You'll do fine, and I'll be standing by if you need to rant, cringe, shirk, shriek, cry, rage or just bite nails. Hang in there. I'm thinking of you.

All the best,

Webbie

 (P.S. Sorry for choppy typing. Shoulder's tired!)

vivre

I never got a second opinion because I felt confident with my doc and I knew the fact that treatments were nearby, would help me with the stress. It it so important that the docs make you comfortable and you feel like a person, not another number. Like you, I just wanted it out as soon as possible and did not want to wait for new tests with new docs. My tumor was also close to surface. At first they said I would be a good candidate for mammosite, but after surgery, there was not enough space so I had to take the long road. Bummer! It is good advice not to think too much ahead, but to take it one step at a time. I tried not to read too much, it kept me calmer. While waiting for everything, try to take lots of long walks. It will not only help your peace of mind, it will make you stronger for whats ahead. Also, eat as nutritiously as possible. No sugar or junk food. Limit diary and carbs. Try not to feed the tumor which thrive on these things. You want to build up your good cells so they can fight the good fight.

Best wishes to you webbie and ladyjane. It may seem like a mountain to climb, but once you get over the top and can come back down to earth, you will be able to look back as I do, appreciate the gift of life, and be ready to charge back into life. You both sound like you have the positive attitude that it takes to get through this. You can do it!

joanne51

webwriter,

   Where exactly in south Ala are you, have you considered going to Columbus, Ga to the John B Amos Cancer Center - would that be a trip that you could make.  I do know that UAB is a very good place - but, please don't hesitate to get a second opinion on anything.  I did and I am extremely glad that I did.  My first doctor said mastectomy with radiation, no chemo.  Second doctor said lumpectomy, chemo then radiation and that is where I am at now.  Friday I will have week #6 of my chemo.  We will all be thinking about you.

Joanne

webwriter

More thanx to both of you!! I'm feeling really good today, just because the third opinion doc agreed with the second so much. There's a good chance I'm Stage ONE! WHOPEEEE!! (Seems like a dumb thing to celebrate, but I'll take what I can get, eh?!)

The third talked me out of the mammosite we were planning, but he called ahead to the rads doc and made sure there was a decent alternative for me. I've smoked for about 25 years, so I was really worried about the lungs with the rads. Turns out there's a 3D targeted rad treatment that takes the same amount of time without the infection rate and without the limitations. (Tumor near surface, medium sized breasts.) Double positive news today.

I'm all the way down on the Coast, Joanne, so GA would be pretty far for me. My inlaws have an apartment in the downstairs of their house in Trussville, so that's what makes UAB so doable. Thank you, however, for the suggestion.

The third opinion today pretty much said that we can do everything in Mobile that could be done at UAB except some experimental genetic type testing on the tumor and clinical trials. Mobile is only 1 1/2 hours from here, so I can swing it. 

I too am a HUGE advocate of second and even third opinions now. If you trust your Doc and have no doubts, then no worries, but I didn't and I'm glad I went with my guts. That first guy was not only horrid, his info was outdated, and his methods were questionable. I'm incredibly glad I went on to Doc #2, and even tho we're sticking with #2, #3 had some good info and I'm glad I saw him too. 

Thanx for all the support and encouragement, Ladies. This is SUCH a wonderful site and I'm thrilled to have found you all so early in my journey. 

I too, will be thinking of all of you. You've made a huge difference for me. I hope I can pass the gift along when my turn comes.

webwriter

P.S. Vivre, I'm vegan with a vengence. Have been since birth. I've ALWAYS hated the taste and texture of meat. Trust me when I say, I eat really, really well. Up until this year, I was the picture of health. I don't even get colds. No joke--I don't even HAVE a primary care doc. Never needed one. Looks like my warranty is up tho. I have, however, cut back on soy and other estrogen imitators until we know if I'm ER+ or not. God, I hope not. Fried tofu is one of my favorite foods in the WORLD!

Britt

Hi, Webwriter!

I feel a kinship and a sisterhood with you because we were both diagnosed on the same day with IDC - I am also Grade 2, but with a 2.6 cm tumor.  Still waiting for ER and PR test results - but breast MRI scheduled for next Monday, along with all of the other fun pre-op stuff - then surgery for 12/16.  I must say I enjoy your incredible spirit and effervescent personality and style - and your e-mails are so much fun to read!!!!  Your sense of humor is absolutely delicious - I wish you the very, very best and I am so happy you had the insight to seek other opinions!!!!!

Maria from Sunny (well, not so sunny today) Vero Beach, FL

webwriter

Howdie Southern Sister! Hate that you had to join me on such a fateful day, but now that you have, glad you're here! My MRI is tomorrow. I'm scared, but well, what else is new, right? All three docs I've seen said the nodes feel good tho so maybe it hasn't really invaded right down to my fingernails yet! It's odd that you should mention my humor tho. It's rare indeed to find a friend that "gets" me. In fact, I can count them on...um... well...there's hubby anyway, haha! Thrilled to meet you. Let's stick together and see who can kick this thing first! Ready? Set? GO! (Bleh.)

Not so sunny up here today either. Crazy weather. At least we're out of hurricane season finally!

Keep in touch!

webwriter

LadyJane, thinkin' of you LOTS today. Hope you're feeling strong and sleeping well tonite. Let us know how you're doing when you can.

vivre

Webwriter, I never got sick either. I had perfect attendance through 16 years of school and never used any sick days as a teacher. I recently read somewhere that it is common for bc survivors to not have any colds. That is why I was so MAD with my dx. I can't remember where I read it, but the explaination was something about having an immune system that is so good at fighting viruses that it misses the tumor. Who knows. But my docs did say that my good health was probably a factor that nothing spread. Hope all goes well for you all with your MRI. The docs are usually right when they say the nodes are clear. Mine were, sparing me the chemo.

Vegeterians do get bc. Sometimes vegans tend to eat a lot of pasta and sweets which promote estrogen build up. I can look back now, with all  I learned and see how my estrogen levels were out of whack. I am going to have them tested today, to see if I have been able to lower them naturally with my diet and exercise changes. I will let you know if it worked. 

I will never say that I am glad I got bc. But now that I have gotten through it, I am a better and healthier person. You all will make it. Just take it a day at a time.

webwriter

Thanx vivre! Good to hear.

I live on veggies, mostly raw. I tend to crave fruit when I'm sick, (like all through pregnancy's all day sickeness.) Other than that I don't eat a whole lot of it. Pasta, probably once a week, if that. Bread, maybe a couple of times a week. Sweets, well, not really. EXCEPT for my addiction to Dr. Pepper. I've tried to switch to diet and I just can't do it. That stuff is just NASTY! Dairy on the other hand, I'm in trouble. I do organic to avoid the hormones they feed those poor cows, but I can't switch back to soy either until we know... I'm stuck there. Big time. I get tired of nuts, and legumes, ya know?

I wonder if our bodies treat Stevia the same way as sugar. More importantly, I wonder if cancer knows the difference. It's sweet without being raunchy and I've found that I can use it in place of sugar for most things. Guarana can replace the caffeine for me, so I'm working on a mixture of 1/2 unsweetened drink mixes (like kool-aid,) Stevia and Guarana with 1/2 sparkling water. I get the caffeine boost I'm craving along with the carbonation that seems to jump start my day. DANG I wish there were more research done on herbals and stuff. Guess I'll be the guinea pig.

Fascinating about our immune systems. I've wondered about it. A lot. If you run across whatever you read, drop me a line. I'd LOVE to know more about it. It would make sense about it being distracted by virus. I got cold sores a lot when I was little. Haven't had one in over 35 years now. Bet my system is so busy keeping that at bay it missed the cancer entirely. Gonna have to teach it better. Think I'd rather have the cold sores, haha!

It's going to be interesting to see what happens with my oncotyping. My hormones have been seriously out of whack since my daughter's birth. It started out as PPD and evolved into really scary mood swings, a 16 day (but irregular as all get out) cycle and menopause symptoms. Testing has all come back normal. We were in the middle of investigating that and planning a hysterectomy when all of this came down. Keep me posted on what you find out. I'd love to learn what you're learning!

The MRI was an unexpected nightmare. (Don't be scared, Britt, it was because of my shoulder surgery, nothing more!) Who knew I was supposed to lay on my stomach with my arms up over my head!?! Um, not possible right now, and won't be for at least six more weeks. They strapped it to my side instead and warned me that it might not work. YEEEEOUUUCH! It worked. I was determined not to move a muscle, but now I'm in some kinda pain. Gonna take a pill and call it a day. 

Thinkin' about you all!

Lisa1964

Britt!  We are practically neighbors!

I am IDC, have had a bi-lateral mastectomy and I go in the morning for my third round of TCH.  Hang in there Britt and Webbie, it is a long and bumpy road!

 PS  to Webbie - I HATE my bc surgeon, love my plastic surgeon and onc doc.

Lisa

Britt

Lisa - yes!  I noticed your post yesterday - you are just down the road, so to speak!  I was just dx on 11/24 - IDC Grade 2 - still waiting for results of ER/PR and HER2+ - have my breast MRI and chest x-ray tomorrow, EKG Tuesday, and pre-op physical on Wed - then consult with my bc surgeon (who fortunately I like a great deal) as to results of tests.  Surgery scheduled for Tuesday 12/16 - whether a lump or a mast I don't know at this point - depends on what the tests find.  I do not have a plastic surgeon yet - I think I am going to wait to see and perhaps get the recon in four months if I need it.  Right now, the waiting is driving me bonkers, but I am keeping busy doing lots of research on this subject.  I know they will not know what stage I am until the surgery and the sentinal node biopsy.  And thanks for your honesty about the "long and bumpy road" - I am keeping positive, but calling it a "journey" - a journey to me is going to Paris!  Hope to hear from you soon -  Maria

Lisa1964

Howdy Britt!

I agree, journey my a$$.  I went with the mast. becasue I only want to do this once.  My diseased side was full of microcalcifications and I just didn't want to mess with it.  I am now a 32-C of pure silicone!  I would strongly suggest you meet with a plastic surgeon BEFORE any other surgery.  It makes the plastics guys job much easier if he is involved from the get go.

What is taking so long for ER/PR HER2 results?  I got mine with my diagnoses, 3 days after the biopsy.  The waiting would drive me nuts too.

We should meet up for lunch some time.  I meet another lady on her from Ft. Pierce that was just diagnosed too.  Sucky way to meet new friends!

Take care, Lisa

Britt

Hi Lisa!  Thanks for the input and the comisseration re "journey."  Also about plastic surgeon consult - it's taking long for the other results because my biopsy was on 11/21 and then there were the Thanksgiving Day holidays - or so they claim.  I call my dr's office each day to ask and they check and it has not arrived yet.  They are pushing on it now and hopefully will get it tomorrow morning (if not I am going to seriously contemplate kicking some butt!)

Thanks for the lunch invite - will definitely have to do that - I know it's a lousy way to meet new friends, but only people in our situation can really understand that we are going through!

BTW, love your motto!

Thanks so much again and enjoy your Sunday!

Maria 

Lisa1964

Britt, I hope you get your paths soon!!

Yes, Only those living it get it.  I have a great bunch of friends; some of them get it close and some of them don't have clue.

Lisa

Britt

Lisa, if I call my dr's office tomorrow and the idiot nurse practitioner STILL tells me the paths are not ready, she better be ready for me to come to her office with my Xena doll so I can whack her with same!!!! Sorry to sound so violent - but the enormity of what is going to come down during the next several weeks . . . and months . . . and possibly years - just hit me with the force of an atomic bomb.  I, too, have a wonderful group of galpals and guypals - and the same gamut of reactions - some get it, some don't.  Several of my female friends can't seem to understand why I am so upset about losing a breast . . . "Well, you are only a 34B and if it's gone nobody is really going to notice and it's not like they are going to chop off your head" etc. etc. etc.  I know they mean well, but it's my accursed vanity and the feeling of being maimed and not whole. I am also single and they are married, so it's a very different mindset.   I know this is not the politically correct view on this post, so please forgive me everyone, I am just having a Breast Cancer Diva Moment!!!!!! 

Lisa1964

Britt!  It would not be a different mindset if it were their flipping boobs! Married or single!

Since my ride to hell started, I have made it a point to avoid toxic people and stupid people as best as I can.  I have even gone so far as to use chemo as a convenient excuse to avoid people I just don't want to deal with.  "Gosh, sorry, but I have to avoid big groups in case my blood levels are low"  Works every time  I really am upbeat most of the time, I just have a low tolerance for the un-kind and not-so-bright-sometimes.

 If you docs office does not have the completed path reports by tomorrow, you have every right to get VERY annoyed.  Find out the lab and call them yourself.  I think the main one in our area is Ameri-Path.  Good luck and let us know.

Lisa

Izzy

Hi Everyone!

I am a MN girl! Snowing and cold here.

I have enjoyed reading everyones notes. I feel like kind of numb and going through all the process in the past 2 weeks. My lump was found at a reg yearly mamogram Nov 14.

Nov 26 was diagosied with Grade 2 IDC, by use of a core needle biopsy. I had a lumpectomy and Sentinal Node surgery Thur Dec 4. I am waiting now til my dr appt Thur Dec 11 to find out the results from my pathology reports. I know I will have radiation, but don't know yet about chemo. Lots of stuff to learn, absorb and deal with in such a short time.

I would like to follow your posts.  I have never blogged before so another new thing! 

Lisa1964

Welcome izzy.  This is a great place for support and learning.!! Sorry you had a need to find us, but participating here will help you immensely!

Lisa

otter

The title of this thread is, "Am I missing something?".  It looks like I was the one who's been missing something--all you women from the southeastern U.S.  I'm in east-central Alabama.

Webbie, you haven't posted here for awhile, so I don't know if you're still reading this thread you created.  It sounds like you've already figured out where you'll be getting your treatments.  I just wanted to let you know that I've been going to UAB (the Kirklin Clinic) for everything.  My local primary care doc referred me there when my local GYN doc refused to follow up on the lump I'd found--he said it was "nothing".

The breast center at the Kirklin Clinic did the ultrasound that showed my tumor; then they did a biopsy; and before I knew it, I was talking with a surgical onco/breast surgeon, a medical onco, and a radiation onco, all in the same room.  The surgeon ordered a contrast breast MRI so we would know what else was in there.  (There was only 1 tumor on the one side.)  My sentinel node biopsy and surgery were done in early February, and I had chemo from April to June.

You are probably right in thinking that the quality of care you'll get in the Mobile area is just as good; but I am really glad I went to UAB.  It's a 2-hour drive from here (each way), which would have been a terrible problem if I had done rads ... but I decided not to go that route.

Anyway, post or pm me if you have any questions.  I'm a few months ahead of you.

otter 

webwriter

Hey Otter! I was kind of hoping to run into you at some point! I've read both you and Analemma in other threads and have enjoyed your perspectives tremendously. Thanx for NOT missing something, haha!

I was really hoping to get into Kirklin, but it doesn't look like they'll take me.When I called the first time they told me that I'd have to mail all my records/films etc., wait for the rads doc to look them over and then wait for appt. I asked how long, knowing b/c of another screw up it had already been 1 month between mammo and biopsy. She said 3-4 weeks!

The second time I called, having gathered up my stuff and needing an address, they told me that if I had been treated elsewhere they wouldn't take me. I can't wait yet another month for an initial consult and then wait another few weeks for surgery. It will end up being six months! At grade II I just don't think I want to waste that kind of time.

I'm not particularly happy about it, but well, I DO like my new surgeon and Mobile is only 90 minutes from HOME. I love my in-laws and know they would each lay down their lives for me without hesitation. But their lovely apartment downstairs could never be home and I'm thinking my mental health is going to be a big factor. My hubby would only be able to come up on weekends with my little girl too. I think that much separation would kill us all quicker than the cancer. Sigh. The dilemas never seem to end, do they?

I'll drop you a line too. I appreciate the offer, a TON! 

Hi Lizzy! Hi Lisa! Welcome to the Missing Thread, haha!

Hang in there Britt. 

Hope you're feeling better and coming back fast, LadyJane.

All My Best,

Webbie