Treatment for DCIS at MD ANderson, feedback

Luvmysislu

Hi.  Based on my diagnosis, I was referred to get surgery then radiation.  We were given the name of a recommended surgeon by the clinic but we are thinking of going to MD Anderson.  I am in the houston area.  When I spoke to the nurse, she said either would be fine.  Since it is very early stages, that we would get great results either way.  I am thinking it would be easier to go to MD Anderson, because hopefully all of my dr's will be at one location.  Any feedback?  The surgeons name I was given is Dr. S. Lim ( not at MD Anderson, but other great hospital)

 

Thank you.

Moderators

Dear Luvmysislu, Welcome to the BCO community. There is a lot of support and information shared here by others who have with empathy and wisdom. Hopefully you will hear from some with answers to  your questions. Please keep us updated. The MOds

justachapter

Hi,

I went to MD Anderson in AZ, and it has been a fabulous experience in a not fun situation.  If you have the opportunity to go there, I would as it is much easier going through this with a multidisciplinary approach.  Everyone and all records under one roof, if there is question about treatment  it goes to the board, and they keep on top of all appointments, you really don't worry about anything.

I was  DCIS, surgery, 7 weeks of radiation and now Tamoxifen.  And, though mine was DCIS it was still a little more complicated as I was grade 3, I'm PR- and it was on the left side near my chest wall, but also closer to my skin.  I had a bolus the entire 7 weeks of radiation.  

One step at a time for you, but if MD Anderson is in your backyard, I would definitely go there.

Luvmysislu

Thank you. We are trying to make an appointment with MD ANderson. 

april485

MD Anderson is the number one NCI hospital in the country...can't do much better than NUMBER ONE! I too am lucky as I live in the northeast and have several excellent nationally ranked centers  here. Good luck with your treatments. Also, many papers I have read about BC have Dr. Lim's name attached so just thought I would throw that out there too.

Mariael

Hi Luvmysilu, I was operated on by Dr. Kelly Hunt at MD Anderson on early July, 2014. I had a 1.75 cm DCIS, grade 3, non-invasive, and she performed a lumpectomy. She is an excellent surgeon and I am receiving the best of care. You may phone Chris Henderson at (713) 792-3354, and she can help guide you through the process by speaking to Lynn Grimes, Dr. Hunt's nurse, and setting up an appointment. Lynn has taken such good care of me. My doctors' physicians' assistant advised to wait if I needed to, in order to see Dr. Hunt because she is so good and she has a reputation for getting good margins (to begin with) therefore you are less likely to need a second surgery. I was able to wait because my cancer was caught very early. I met with Dr. Lim as I wanted a second opinion regarding radiation. I was upfront and told her that Dr. Hunt will be my surgeon. Dr. Lim was very quick with me and really did not show much interest in talking with me and helping me; I think this is because she was not going to be my surgeon. I was disappointed in her behavior. I know of someone who went to her that was very happy, and she has a good reputation. I also think Dr. Lim performs a range of different types of surgeries and Dr. Hunt specializes in breast CA. I am very impressed with Dr. Hunt. I had two pre-surgery meetings with her and I spent a total of 1 hour and 40 minutes or so with her talking about my concerns. She is extremely knowledgeable and up on the research. I also spent at least two and a half hours or more talking with Lynn Grimes. They were very patient with me as I was understandably anxious. They talked to me, answered my questions and referred me to the radiation oncologist to answer more questions. Basically, they did everything they could do to support me while I was making my decision. I cannot say enough about them. I think MD Anderson doctors may be in a better position to spend more time with their patients as they are salaried and they are paid the same regardless of how many patients they see. I'd like to support you if I can. Feel free to ask me any questions you have. I wish you the best. I'm meeting with the radiation oncologist today and I'm in the process of deciding whether or not to get breast radiation. Good Luck! Maria

Luvmysislu

thank you.  We have an appointment to meet with dr. Lim this week then md Anderson next week.  Diagnosed August 1st.   Just worried we are waiting too long to make a decision,  appointment with md Anderson is August 21st and they will do a mammogram again and more testing.  

Why does it take so long wih md Anderson.  Just curious.  I was told they will take a mammogram again because they want to make sure no changes

Don't want to make the wrong decision by waiting too long.  

Thanks for feedback in regards to dr lim.  

Mariael

Hi, It can take a little more time to get in at MD Anderson, but I found it worth the wait. I was told by MD Anderson that since my DCIS was in the early stages with the biopsy indicating it was non-invasive, it was fine to wait. Due to other circumstances in my life I was operated on almost three months after diagnosis. I was very anxious at first to be operated on quickly, but then I gained more perspective. Are you scheduled with Dr. Hunt? Also, once you send MD Anderson your test results, they would get you in quicker if you needed to be seen fast. It sounds like since you caught it very early you don't need to rush and you have time to make your decision. From what you're saying it sounds like you aren't waiting too long and you are doing just fine. Hang in there. We'll both get through this. I need to start radiation next week. I don't want it but I looked at the factors and decided it makes sense. I'm looking forward to hearing how it goes.