Pretty Good News (PGN)

hap_k

My first trip to my BC surgeon in Portland was really worth it. My anxiety level went down a mile.  SheP says I am between Stage 1 & 2. The Grade 3 doesn't matter that much since I appear to have caught it early and most likely before it has spread. There may be some DCIS. I am having a breast BMI on Monday & an Ultrasound guided biopsy of my lymph nodes on Tuesday. Then we will sit down, see where we are, and book the surgery. If I don't change my mind, I am going for the Bilateral Mastectomy (unreconstructed). Do not want this back!

I am so far thrilled with the Providence St. Vincent's team. Lots of information and follow through.  Very caring. I would not have gotten this kind of coordinated care (the team talks to each other--on the same day!) locally in my town.

As for the onclogy care, she says I should see an oncologist locally & also see the oncologist on their team, if the two recommendations for care are the same, get the Tx locally. If not the same, find out why not and choose the care that makes sense to me. Maybe get a 3rd opinion. Very logical.

A study that I saw said that women often got better care by (1) choosing their own doctor, (2) going to an urban center for surgery.  I think it's going to work for me, despite the inconvenience of the drive.

Wishing everyone else PGN (Pretty Good News), too! 

Hap 

peggy_j

Congrats on the PGN!!!

hap_k

I am a bit worried about the swollen lymph nodes. I honestly do not know if they were swollen before the biopsy. or if they got swollen in response to the biopsy. Well, all shall be revealed next week. I think a centipede should be the mascot for breast cancer patients (one with lots of pretty shoes), because we are always waiting for the next shoe to drop...and there is always another shoe! (And I'm a newbie to all this...)

Hap 

bluepearl

LOL! about the mascot...I'm with you, on that one! Glad you are doing well. Nodes probably swollen because of the biopsy. My breast looked like it came out of a boxing match, it even made one of the doctor's gasp. As it turned out, I had it lopped off because I didn't want rads around my heart. But love the centipede idea!!

edwards750

hap - My BS said the grade sometimes is as important as the stage. The grade is the size of the tumor from what I understand. I am Stage 2, Grade l. I did have a SN involvement but only a micromet. I had a lumpectomy and 33 rounds of rads and currently taking Arimidex. We all know there are no guarantees but catching it early is HUGE.