Doctor Recommendation Needed - Philly and NJ

duckyb1

Crys23...............the wait times surprise me.......I had a follow-up mammogram on Feb. 15th, saw the BS the same day,,,,,,,,,,,had my biopsy on the 21st. of FEb, had our talk (2 hours), with my family and the BS, saw the RO, MO, and had surgery on March 14th, and results 2 days later..................Saw RO again and MO again, and am on my 23rd Rad treatment already, and it is only May 24th.......I am so thankful it moved fast.........I guess that is why I am so surprised at how long they are telling you.........good luck

bdavis

PrOBbly big wait times cause just about everyone is getting cancer,or so it seems... But seriously,Crystal found large wait times at big facilities... Cancer Institute for one... plus it could b a big time in June for vacationing doctors.

Kay_G

Best of luck.  I am really happy with the treatment I'm getting at Rena Rowan.  My onc in Dr. Carol Tweed.  She is very young, mid-thirties I'd guess.  I kind of like that because I figure she is very up on the latest and greatest.  She is also very thorough and caring.  There are a lot of other oncs there too.  I don't know anything about them.  The chemo nurses are great too.  And the chemo suites are really nice and comfortable.  And all the testing and everything is all right in the same building.

Ondagrow

I am scheduled for a Diep Flap on August 17, 2011...

Kay_G

I am scheduled for July 27

theresap60

Chrys23 - I had an excellent breast surgeon in Philly - he used to be at Hahnemann/Drexel but is now with Fox Chase Cancer Center.  If you want to PM me, I can give you his name.

Theresa

sushanna1

All I can add is that you will know when you have found the right doctor.  At least I did.  I liked Brian Czernieck and his surgical nurse, Nancy O'Conner and found all of the personnel at the Rena Rowan Breast Center were well-trained, caring people.  I commuted 2 hours to Penn, but had my chemo locally after a consult with a Penn oncologist who is no longer part of the Penn staff.

Good luck. 

Chrys23

Dear All -- I wanted to provide an update and I thank everyone that gave their suggestions and recommendations for doctors.

I had my 2nd opinion appointment at UPenn (Rena Rowan Breast Center) in Philly this afternoon and I loved the place. I met with Dr. Brian Czernicki and his nurse, Bethann, who was just WONDERFUL.

The plan for me right now is to have an MRI right away on both breasts  (Dr. Dultz here in NJ didn't want to do an MRI, even though I requested it).  UPenn will try to get me in this Friday or early Monday for an MRI and if all is well and nothing new found -- I already have a lumpectomy scheduled for next Thursday.  Both the nurse AND the doctor did an exam and could barely find the tumor, so I will be having a wire insert before surgery (YUCK).  If anyone had this done, can you tell me what it was like??

Overall, I really liked Dr. C and his nurse, Bethann was SO helpful, caring and I was there almost 2hrs (between the exams, getting medical history, etc). I also liked the Rena Rowan center; I thought everything was well organized and smooth as far as check-in, information, etc.

Again, thank you -- it's on to the next step and I hope all will be ok.

Best,

Chrys

FireKracker

Chrys---I had the wire insert but i was already knocked out.I was up when the set up the IV for the dye but after that i was put to sleep BY MY REQUEST....so glad i did.never felt a thing.

bdavis

Crystal... so glad you are getting the MRI... i am so surprrised Rachel wouldn't give one... as i told you on the phone, that was one thing that I think is important before surgery.... Good Luck!!

Chrys23

bdavis: I am surprised Dultz wouldn't do the MRI either. UPenn stated they do it as a matter of practice to make sure there is nothing funky going on in either breast. I felt very relieved and comfortable right away when they told me this upfront. I too, think it's important and I am SO GLAD that you suggested this to me a few weeks back. So, a hug and a thank you to YOU! I wouldn't have known this was an option, because Dultz didn't even mention it -- but you did!   xoxo, Crystal

bdavis

Most welcome.. hugs back to you.

LizR

Chrys:  I am so happy you had such a great experience at Penn and you have a plan in place.  Please keep us posted!  We are rooting for you!  Liz