Hampton Roads area

Hi Cheri,

   I live in Hampton. I go to PCI which is directly behind Riverside Hospital in Newport News. I LOVE them. They made my treatment bearable. Where are you going?

I'm in Smithfield.  I started out with Riverside, and got a bunch of wrong diagnoses, and ended up in Richmond at MCV for my lumpectomy.  Dr. Schlesinger at PCI referred me. I liked her, but the surgeon was useless.

Did you get radiation?

My BS at MCV hasn't made a recommendation regarding rad therapy yet, since my final diagnosis changed from DCIS (after the biopsy) to PLCIS (after the lumpectomy).  So far, I don't need a PS since the lumpectomy didn't take enough tissue to make a dent in these puppies, but they are still deciding whether clear margins were achieved, or even if they are needed for PLCIS. So more surgery may be in my immediate future. 

Isn't it unusual to not get radiation for DCIS?

PLCIS is Pleomorphic Lobular Carcinoma in Situ, a more aggressive variant of LCIS.  There is a lot of controversy about exactly how to treat it.  My BS has now indicated that he doesn't feel that further surgery is necessary, even though they found PLCIS in the margins after the lumpectomy.  Many doctors treat PLCIS like DCIS (need clear margins, radiation) so I'm going to get a second opinion, especially since the BS told me that he had never seen a PLCIS diagnosis before.  Not sure where yet.  Maybe back to Riverside.

Cheri2 - Question - I noticed you said that you were not impressed with Sentara (Norfolk, I assume?).  What were the issues?

MCV was impressive.  Very organized, very personal.  Nice people. But lots of students (they looked like they were about 12 years old!).  So you have to not mind being on display.  At least they had a sense of humor about things, like most young people.  It made me feel a little old (even though I'm only 48), but that's OK.

I am surprised to hear that about Sentara Norfolk. I had always heard that it was pretty good. Well, it goes to show that you can't believe everything you hear.  Is Chesapeake General independent or part of one of the big conglomerates (like Sentara or Riverside?)

I went back to Peninsula Cancer Institute at Riverside in Newport News for my rad onc consult.  They seemed really nice. A little too "chirpy" for me, but nice. (by "chirpy" I mean that falsetto positive happy attitude that sometimes can be so irritating.  Not that I am grumpy or anything.  Well, maybe sometimes)

Merry Christmas to you, too!

Yeah, I know what you mean about being independent.  I remember when Riverside, Sentara and Bon Secours didn't own everything.

Although I have found that there are advantages to being in treatment in one of the behemoths.  Records are electronically available, and they can make appointments with other specialists extremely quickly.  I haven't had pervasive problems with the facilities (like you have) just a doctor or two that I really didn't trust or like.  But I think that you will probably find that anywhere.  Of course, I haven't been admitted to the hospital or had surgery in their facility.  I've just had some outpatient procedures and other doctor's visits. 

Overall, I would have to say that I'm satisfied with Riverside.  I just wish they had some breast surgeons, as opposed to just general surgeons.  I'm actually surprised that they don't, being as big as they are, and covering such a large region.  I don't think there are any Riverside facilities on the Southside though.  I'm from Smithfield, but I usually stay on the Peninsula since I work there.

Personal delivery from a breast surgeon?  Very cool.  My surgeon (from MCV) has been great about answering all my questions.  He gave me his e-mail address, and answers within a day.  Richmond is a little far to come for deliveries, though.

The Smithfield run has become a pretty big deal in our little town - it seems to get bigger every year.  Unfortunately, I don't run because of some arthritis in my knees, so I just read about it in the local paper.  I read your blog, and it sounds like you really love the "runner's high."  I am so glad that you have come through your BC battle, and that you will get a chance to participate this year.  The route goes through some of the more historic sections of town, so I'm sure you will really enjoy it.

We got a dusting of snow - enough to look pretty, but not enough to be a huge problem on the roads.  My favorite kind of snow!

Cheri - it would indeed be a lot of fun to meet up!  I know exactly which shop on Main Street that you are talking about - the Smithfield Bakery has been doing bread and sandwiches for years.  I remember when it opened, and folks were wondering how on earth a sandwich shop would survive. But that was way before they re-did Main Street, and made it the wonderful, quaint area that it is now. I have lived in Smithfield for over 25 years, so I remember when it was not a "destination" type of place.  I am so pleased that folks are now looking forward to coming here.

A blog is a huge commitment - I wish you much luck.  Let me know where I can read it - it sounds like a lot of fun!  I wish I had enough interesting thoughts to keep a blog going, but I seriously doubt it.  I threatened my kids with it the other day, and they were horrified.  Nothing puts the fear of god into young adults like their mother threatening to post her thoughts out there for all to see.  They would probably gasp if they knew I was on a discussion board.  They probably don't believe that I even know what a discussion board is.  How is it that we seem so old to the younger generation when we know that we are still the coolest people around??  And I'm not even 50 yet, so I know that I'm not even close to being old!