Any Northern Virginia ladies on this discussion board?

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  • thriceblessed
    thriceblessed Member Posts: 39
    edited August 2010

    Dr. Venturi is doing my DIEP next week.  I highly recommend him.  Very calm and reassuring, answers all my questions, shows me pictures of his work, very patient-centric.  He was recommended to me by someone for whom he'd done a bi-lat DIEP - and she was very happy with the results. 

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  • BrandonMom
    BrandonMom Member Posts: 412
    edited September 2010

    Helen, that's interesting that you also had an appointment where you were rushed.  You always think maybe it is just you, but it seems consistent in this case.  Weird too, because my oncologist always sees me right on time, yet he answers every questions and never rushes me.  On the other hand, she was way late for both appointments, and tried to rush everything and HATED it when I asked questions.  She explained the procedure after I asked, but she literally had her jaw locked and was explaining it like you would explain it to a child who had gotten on your last nerve.  Not at all like someone who wanted to make sure the patient was comfortable.  I think we are blessed in this area to have so many good doctors.  Gerogetown certainly has some of the best doctors, but I could never get through to get an appt.  I did in the end, see 3 breast surgeons, and only Dr. Edmiston was not nice.  The other two were awesome and I felt comfortable putting my life in either of their hands.

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  • CELinVA
    CELinVA Member Posts: 25
    edited September 2010

    I'm in Northern Virginia; had lumpectomy on August 18 at VA Hospital Center with Dr. Molly Sebastian and will start radiation in about 2 weeks there also with Dr. Hong.  I've been pleased with my care over there so far.

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  • EngTchr
    EngTchr Member Posts: 184
    edited September 2010

    Hi CELin VA,  glad to hear you're happy with your care so far.  I had my lumpectomy at Fair Oaks and my chemo and rads in Reston.  Very pleased with all my medical personnel.

    This site has been pretty quiet lately.  Anyone want to get together for lunch sometime in Sept or Oct?  It's been quite a while.

    Hope everyone is doing well!

    Becky

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  • BrandonMom
    BrandonMom Member Posts: 412
    edited September 2010

    I had my chemo and rads in Reston as well, and love the care I received.

     I'm in for lunch!

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  • GramE
    GramE Member Posts: 5,056
    edited September 2010

    Oct 24 is the Alexandria Walk to Fight Breast Cancer.   My son and preggo wife walked with me last year.   now that grand babe is here, we plan on doing it again.   If anyone wants to join us, pm me or post here.    Nancy

    P.S.   Lots of free parking or right across the street from the Eisenhower metro stop.     

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  • sirenator
    sirenator Member Posts: 26
    edited September 2010

    Hi All

    Is there a way to create a new sub-thread under the "NOVA" discussion topic?  

    I'm writing because I am putting together a NOVA community choir made up of women - breast cancer survivors, and their supporters. I'm hoping that a substantial amount of the membership would be the ladies who are on this discussion board and that we could grow the group and take it on the road. the choir would be open to anyone - you don't even have to be able to sing - i'll take care of that!  from those of you who only sing in the shower when you're sure no one is listening, to "sing star" junkies, karaoke freaks, and professional singers!  

    Tell me you are interested!

    Regina Bandy

    age at diagnosis: 35 - an incredible story & a lot of love and energy to make something happen in our local community. 

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  • goldiec74
    goldiec74 Member Posts: 3
    edited October 2010

    Hi CELinVA,

    I am so glad that Dr. Molly Sebastian entered my life.  I was diagnosed in August 2010 and just had a bilateral mastectomy performed by Dr. Sebastian with immediate reconstruction by Dr. Gloria Duda last week.  Everyone at the Center for Breast Health has been wonderful from the first day I went into the office.  They are a compassionate team and I am always uplifted when I leave the office.  Never have they rushed me.  

    Tina

    Diagnosis: 8/24/2010, IDC, 1.5cm, Stage 1, Grade 2, nodes negative, ER+/PR+/HER2- 

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  • JanetinVirginia
    JanetinVirginia Member Posts: 1,516
    edited October 2010

    Hello No. Va sisters!  Have been meaning to drop in here but life has been a blur the last month.  I live in Vienna - born & raised in Alexandria, so I'm a rare native!

    Just had mastectomy this week with Dr. Willey at Georgetown, whom I absolutely love.  I had to BEG her staff to get an appointment!  I had an excisional biopsy (just like lumpectomy) at INOVA Fx with general surgeon because I really didn't think there would be any cancer.   So, when path report came, I wanted a surgeon who only did breast surgery.  Margins were not clear and he wanted to do another lumpectomy - but no guarantee clear margins a second time and wanted to avoid radiation if I could.  I have to say the mastectomy was much easier than I thought - only regular tylenol now & then.  Will be happy to get this drain out though :)

    My next step is an oncologist because I'm sure I'll have to take hormone blocker.  I can continue with docs at Georgetown, but it's little harder to get there and my primary care said it would be easier with someone in INOVA network.  Any recommendations for good medical oncologist in Fairfax area?  I definitely want to talk to one at GU and one in Fairfax.

    Would love to do lunch - but not up to it for a while yet :)

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  • wellsey66
    wellsey66 Member Posts: 34
    edited October 2010

    I am going to Dr Dennis Dobrzynski.  His Fairfax office is in Fair Oaks but he also has offices in Mt Vernon and Alexandria.  I have been very pleased with the treatment I have received.  The practice is Hematology Oncology Associates Ltd and there are 4 doctors in the practice.  I too would be interested in doing lunch. 

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  • imatthew
    imatthew Member Posts: 206
    edited October 2010

    our primary surgeon referred us to Dr. Nicholas Robert in Fairfax - http://virginiacancerspecialists.com/physicians/profile/nicholas-j.-robert/, we haven't met with him yet but we have a post-surgical appointment for my wife.  We have talked to several others who love him, and he's on the board of directors for this web site.

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  • Ang7
    Ang7 Member Posts: 1,261
    edited October 2010

    Hi JanetinVirginia~

    Glad you are doing well after surgery.  I go to Mary Wilkinson, Medical Oncology and Hematology in Fairfax.  I chose her because she LISTENED to me and she also let me try the Penguin Cold Caps to try and keep my hair.  She did not believe in them but she let me try them.  I like a doctor that will let you speak your mind even if it is out of the "normal" care.   She actually researched 3 different chemo treatments to see if I would respond to one that did not have hair loss as a side effect.  They would not work for me but I was pleased to be given all of the research that she did.

     (I was able to keep my hair...)

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  • EngTchr
    EngTchr Member Posts: 184
    edited October 2010

    Hi JanetinVirginia,

    I think the world of my oncologist, Anthony Felice.  I see him at the Reston office, but I think he is in Fairfax, too.  He's part of a practice called Oncology & Hematology of Northern Virginia.  The web site is www.virginiahope.com

    Good luck!

    Becky

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  • imatthew
    imatthew Member Posts: 206
    edited October 2010

    Hi All, can anyone recommend a place that offers post mastectomy/DIEP physical therapy in the Northern Virginia area (we're out in Prince WIlliam County but are getting pretty used to traveling to Fairfax for appointments).

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  • JanetinVirginia
    JanetinVirginia Member Posts: 1,516
    edited October 2010

    Hi imatthew.  I looked in my trusty Washingtonian top docs issue, but physical therapists are not listed:(  Did you ask the surgeon?  If he/she not in this area, maybe they know a surgeon or PS locally to call to ask where they refer patients. 

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  • BrandonMom
    BrandonMom Member Posts: 412
    edited October 2010

    Second the recommendation on Dr. Felice.  He is a wonderful doctor that always listens.

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  • JeanMarieA
    JeanMarieA Member Posts: 2
    edited October 2010

    I also see Dr. Mary Wilkinsosn at Medical Oncology and Hemotology in Fairfax.  I have received excellent care.  I have heard nothing but good things about Dr. Nicholas Robert as well.

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  • AnnaM
    AnnaM Member Posts: 1,387
    edited October 2010

    Mary Wilkinson rocks! She always listens, is patient and follows through. I started going to her after my oncologist (Catherine Broome) closed her practice. I had already finished chemo at that point and wondered if a "new" oncologist could ever make me feel as confident as my original one did. Dr. Wilkinson does.

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  • goldiec74
    goldiec74 Member Posts: 3
    edited October 2010

    imatthew,

    I have used the Jackson Clinic in Manassas in the past for other PT.  They are excellent.   

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  • goldiec74
    goldiec74 Member Posts: 3
    edited October 2010

    I am seeing Mary Wilkinson also and she has been great!

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  • JanetinVirginia
    JanetinVirginia Member Posts: 1,516
    edited October 2010

    Hi again everyone.  The recommendations on various doctors have been really helpful.  Now I'm looking for an accupuncturist - and I don't want to just pick one out of the phonebook!  Anyone know of a good practice in the Fairfax area?  My doctor's office said to call the Life with Cancer group.  I've left 3 different messages to the person who supposedly has the list, but have not received a callback yet.

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  • BRCA-BRAT
    BRCA-BRAT Member Posts: 89
    edited November 2010

    Anyone familiar with Dr. Shannon Lehr in Leesburg?

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  • sirenator
    sirenator Member Posts: 26
    edited August 2013

    Hi Ladies

     When is our next get-together?  I live in Reston/Oak Hill and was thinking of a wine & cheese at my place some time. Any interest?

     Second thing: Looking for a lymphedema clinic in NOVA.  I have an appointment at Johns Hopkins (I am not suffering from, just looking for a session to learn about prevention), but its so far away and the traffic during rush hour is murder....

    Hope to see y'all soon!

    Regina the Second

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  • imatthew
    imatthew Member Posts: 206
    edited December 2010

    sirenator - my wife is going to the rehabilitation department at Innova Fairfax Hospital for a Lymphademia evaluation, it looks like she has a small amount of fluid in her upper arm.  There is are clinics at Loudoun and Alexandria Hospitals as well.

    Here's a good resource:

    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified_Lymphedema_Therapist.htm 

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  • AnnaM
    AnnaM Member Posts: 1,387
    edited December 2010

    Inova Fairfax and Inova Loudoun have excellent education services through their Life with Cancer programs. Support groups, free Reiki sessions, wigs, Look Good Feel Better sessions, art, meditation, yoga, writing workshops, all sorts of things. Ask for Karen Archer at Inova Loudoun. I don't know the contact person's name at the Fairfax Inova, but look online under Life with Cancer.

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  • thriceblessed
    thriceblessed Member Posts: 39
    edited December 2010

    Fairfax Inova[s lymphodema specialist is Jennifer Willey...and she's awesome

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  • Fortis
    Fortis Member Posts: 12
    edited January 2011

    Diagnosed with DCIS on January 6th, appears to be throughout the breast. MX planned in next 2 weeks if I can get scheduled. Tough working through it all, just got second opinion and feel overwhelmed....but you all know that..... I'm located in Northern Virginia. Anyone out there had experience with Georgetown or Sibley for MX and skin-sparing reconstruction?

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  • JanetinVirginia
    JanetinVirginia Member Posts: 1,516
    edited January 2011

    Hi fortis.  I had mastectomy at Georgetown and love my surgeon (Dr. Shawna Willey).  I chose not to do reconstruction but know they have some top plastic surgeons who work with her.  I also went to GWU for an opinion & liked them too.  Sibley is also great I hear.  We're lucky to have multiple resources in this area.  I drove myself crazy but you'll know when you meet the right one for you.  Good luck!

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  • Taty98328
    Taty98328 Member Posts: 27
    edited February 2011
    HI ladies! I live in Northern Virginia too.  My clinical trial ending very soon and I have to choose plastic surgeon to do bilateral  mastectomy and reconstruction. How did you choose one? My general surgeon who did lumpectomy gave me a list, i think they work together, but my oncologist was sceptical about this list and gave me another list :)  Most of them do not do DIEP and those who does, they not in network. How did you choose one? Maybe you can  recommend some one.
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  • AnnaM
    AnnaM Member Posts: 1,387
    edited February 2011

    Georgetown has a PS who does DIEP flap reconstruction and I have heard he is very good. He studied with the doctors in Baltimore (Johns Hopkins and Mercy) who are also excellent. Sibley has the best US specialists in the area. I know nothing about their surgeons. On the other hand, it is the "kindest" hospital out there. I was not at all impressed with the private PS practices in DC/MD. GW has a good woman PS but she doesn't do DIEP regularly. I will keep my mouth shut about the king who heads up their PS dept.

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