Breast specialist in west suburb of Chicago area

wendymk2016

Hi,

I am new here. And I was just diagnosed as DCIS, grade 3. My OB doctor just refer me to a breast specialist for further procedure. I was wondering if someone has recommendation for a good breast specialist in west suburb area of Chicago. Just in case I need to have second opinion as references.

Thank you very much!

Wendy

Moderators

Dear Wendy,

Welcome to the community. Here is a link to information on our main site about Second Opinions. It does offer some links that might help you figure out where to go. Let us know how you make out. The Mods

wendymk2016

Hi Moderators,

Thanks a lot for your info! Just met my Dr. today and she asked me to do a breast MRI check for both sides, since my breasts are the extreme dense type and she does not want to miss any possible suspicious area that was not caught by Mammogram. After that we will decide my treatment plan.

Thanks,

Wendy

ChiSandy

Wendy, Kathy Albain at Loyola (in Maywood) is a renowned MO who helped develop and pioneered the use of OncotypeDX. (She also went through her Internal Medicine residency alongside my husband and their chief resident—who is our PCP). She might be able to steer you to a good surgeon. Avoid West Suburban and MacNeal if you can help it—neither are as good as they used to be. If you don’t mind heading further south and using a different health system, Barbara Kruger at Advocate Christ in Oak Lawn is an excellent breast cancer surgeon. Further east (in the near W. Side Medical Center district), Melody Cobleigh at Rush is an excellent MO, though her bedside (across-the-desk?) manner is a bit brusque.

Though my husband is a cardiologist and primary care/gerontology doc at Advocate Christ (as well as Little Company of Mary and Holy Cross—to neither of which he prefers to refer his patient) and has his offices near Midway and in Hickory Hills, we live on the far N. lakefront of the city itself. If you don’t mind heading north, my surgeon Katharine Yao and her partner David Winchester—besides operating at NorthShore Evanston Hospital—also operate at NorthShore's Glenbrook (just off the Tri-State) and (I believe) Skokie Hospitals. Downtown, Kevin Bethke at Northwestern is terrific (the wife of and my now-retired-orthopedist recommends him highly). Yao & Winchester pioneered the use of sentinel node biopsy and Yao is especially well-known for skin-and/or-nipple sparing mastectomy as well as lumpectomy.

wendymk2016

Sandy,

Thank you very much for your information.

I live in Naperville area, so try to find a specialist that is close by. Since I still work full time right now, so I am trying to seek for 2nd opinion for my treatment plan with a flexible schedule.

But I guess the first thing i need to do is to finish the MRI test, so I can finalize my treatment.

Thanks

Wendy

louishenry

Louis Montana at Dupage Medical in Naperville. Outstanding.

Angtee15

Wendy! Good luck to you!

ChiSandy I was thinking about switching from UIC to Loyola in Maywood after reconstruction (I am in Oak Park) Nice to read that about Dr. Albain. Thanks!

wendymk2016

louishenry,

I had made appointment with Dr Louis Montana as my second opinion. I will find out more after talked to him.

Also my current dr. is a young lady, Dr. Christine Gresik. Does anyone know her? I could not find too much references for her maybe because she is pretty young and she is a surgeon and breast specialist.

Thanks.

Wendy

Jadalulu

Wendy,

I see that you are in the same area as I am, did you end up going to Edward Cancer Center or chose another facility. I am having second thoughts on my surgeon and the lack of a sense of urgency, looking for another doctor for a second opinion and Dr. Gresik was someone I have considered making an appointment with. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Jada

MBPooch

Jadalulu - I live in Naperville and just had my BMX with immediate silicone direct to implant done at Edward Cancer Center last Thurs, Nov 30th. Dr. Gresik was my Breast Surgeon and Dr. Pavone did my reconstruction. I can't say enough AMAZING things about this team of doctors. I had started at Amita and fell into a second opinion with Gresik through a random set of circumstances that I now call fate. They also work with oncologist. Dr. Kash and all 3 work together as a team with a nurse navigator, who makes the entire process seamless. On my first day of meeting with this team I met with them all in back to back appts. They even scheduled me with a genetic counselor, I was 45 (just turned 46) and have 2 girls so was concerned about a genetic factor. Every question was answered and no stone left unturned. Things moved in a quick and swift manner and I had my surgery date just days after all tests had been complete. Immediate reconstruction was important to me and Dr. Pavone spent over and hour going over all my options and what he believed would give me the best result. On day of surgery every Edward employee we interacted with along the way (pre-op, post-op, nurses) had nothing but praise for not only the skill but knowledge and bedside manner of these doctors. I came home on Friday and was off narcotics by Monday. I have my post op appointments this Friday and am anxious to hear next steps. Nodes were clear but still waiting on pathology but am confident I'm in great hands! If you have any other questions just let me know!

Jadalulu

MBpooch,

I was so excited to read this post! I just met with Dr. Gresik this morning (I may have seen you in passing if you were there) and she is phenomenal! I cannot tell you the amount of weight that was lifted off of my shoulders the minute I stepped foot in her office. All the staff was great, so glad that I made the switch! I meet with Dr. Pavone on Monday, I will also be doing a BMX and hopeful that I can also do the immediate silicone implant...keeping my fingers crossed!! Let's face it, I would rather have not had to do anything, but in Dr. Gresik's words, I am the luckiest unluckiest of persons right now! Initially was diagnosed with DCIS stage 0 grade 3, with a lumpectomy/radiation plan of attack. They performed an MRI and found the second Invasive Ductal Carcinoma that is only 1.2mm. The multiple mammograms and sonograms missed it! I am in the lovely 3% category where the MRI comes back with another finding. Again the luckiest unluckiest comment holds true in this case. I am so glad that you are doing well, and thank you for commenting on this post! I have been stalking this site since my diagnosis, lots of great information. Good Luck in your recovery, and I hope that your path report comes back negative for everything!

Jada

MBPooch

Good to hear from you Jada! I'm sure I did see you in passing as I was there this morning from 9:30-10am. Gresik gave me my CLEAN pathology report, which was such a relief to hear! She said all margins were clear, only the DCIS was found and she'd see me in 6 months. Walked across the hall to Pavones office, got 1 drain removed but hanging on to the other a little while longer. With direct to implant patients they want the output to be very low. I had noticed what I thought was some dimpling on the right implant but turns out it's the outline of the drain. It wraps under the breast and up into the inside upper right breast. They are confident that dimple will resolve itself as soon as the drain is removed. Also had the incision tape removed and have to admit, the scarring wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It's amazing how your body can heal in a week. You will be so pleased with this team of doctors, let me know how things progress!

Michelle

Jadalulu

Hi Michelle. My surgery is set for 1/4/18, I am anxious to get this over with! I thought that I would have the opportunity to do the direct implants but not so lucky. I will have the tissue expander for several months before they can place the implants. I am guessing that is because my treatment plan after surgery is iffy. The second spot that was found is IDC stage 1, so I think Dr. Pavone wants to make sure that I will not need further treatment that could damage the implants. I am glad you are doing well, I will keep you posted on how my surgery goes.

Jada

MBPooch

Jadalulu - Wanted to check in and see how you're recovering from surgery. Hope everything went great, been thinking of you!

Michelle

Jadalulu

Hi Michelle,

I am 12 days post-op and I feel pretty darned good! Had my first post op with Dr. Gresik last Friday, I really do like her she is so informative and encouraging. So glad that I made that decision. Saw Dr. Pavone today and had the last two drains removed which is a relief! Received my final pathology report and thankfully decided on the left prophylactic mastectomy as they found several areas of atypical hyperplasia which is precancerous cells on that side. It may have been years down the road but I would have had to go through all of this again!!! My right breast also showed other areas of concern that would have likely turned cancerous. So glad to be past that point. Otherwise my sentinel node was clear of cancer so I will likely not need radiation or chemotherapy. The next question is will I take Tamoxifen? I will be seeing my oncologist in a few weeks to explore the benefits of taking this drug, Dr. Gresik feels as if I will have less than a 1% chance to have a recurrence of BC on my chest wall or skin that was saved. I am not sure I want the negative side effects of the Tamoxifen to only decrease by 1%? not sure. Looking forward to my first tissue expander fill next week, I think?? I hope you are doing well too, give me an update!

Jada

MBPooch

Jada -

Awesome news! It made such a huge difference to have complete trust in the medical team, I loved them as well! Sounds like you are doing great and glad to hear that the nodes were clear and you won't need any radiation or chemo. I know that was a huge relief to me also. I'm almost 7 weeks out and am feeling great. I feel like I really turned the corner at week 5. There are a lot of times now that I almost forget what I've gone through. I started doing yoga and light weights about a week and a half ago and the stretching while I was sore for a couple days really has helped with full range of motion. Little tight here and there when I overstretch but otherwise feeling good. Have my last appt with Pavone in a couple weeks then hoping I can put all this in the rearview for good!

Wishing you a continued great recovery!

Michelle