2nd opinion breast surgeon; thank goodness!
Just an update. Saw 2nd opinion breast surgeon today, and feel MUCH better. So many differences from the first one, and I will be going with this one. From the difference in what she said about appearance (will go in through an incision around the nipple if possibe, if it's near enough, if not, a regular incision; this was not offered before), to telling me it's silly to have a chest X-ray to see if an IDC has spread to my lungs, something I'd thought was odd, because at this point, it's premature, to the fact that other one said path will take 10 days, but she has her pathologist trained to do it in 2 days, results before the weekend so you don't have to agonize, to everything. She says you can sew fat underneath together to have less of a dent, other one said you can't (margins are not lost, as stiches will still be evident by the time path report comes back, if she needs to re-excise). She does not believe in making a treatment plan before pathology, she is VERY uncertain that I will need drugs for 5 years, she wants me to make an informed decision about rads (though she advises them) and drugs after lumpectomy, not a set plan before. Did order a breast MRI, though she says she finds them trying because of all the false positives and possible biopsies which may put surgery off a week, but if I want it, fine. Says Kaiser will probably refuse it, as I don't meet the new (in the last few weeks, changed) criteria, but if I want her to fight for it then, she will, though they aren't her personal preference. Agrees that Dr. Lagios is a great 2nd opinion pathologist; does think her pathologist is as good, but welcome to do as I like. I can work with this woman, and feel very happy in her hands. She is the one covering for the most acclaimed Kaiser breast specialist while that one is on maternity leave; the specialist hand-picked my surgeon to cover her cases. I'm feeling much more positive, now; glad I saw all the docs I wanted to before proceeding. P. xx
Comments
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Hi Percy, so glad you have a clear path forward. Hope the MRI is approved.
All the best to you. -
Hi, percy4 - so glad you found a second-opinion doc with whom you feel comfortable.
Interesting about Kaiser changes in Breast MRIs... I do know they are not considered "screening tools" for the general population; however, my Radiologist was adamant that I have one on the right side, and would have gotten it approved automatically had I not informed her of my decision to have a BMX. By then it was a moot point.
I adored my entire Kaiser medical team! -
Have to say I am very very pleased with my Kaiser team as well- Great docs and my favorite is being able to email questions and make appointments on line. Have a guinness world record for most mammograms done in one day - focus on early detection- worked for me. http://www.bizjournals.com/prnewswire/press_releases/2013/10/18/SF00513
I am out of network for radiation because Kaiser does not have a LINAC in my service area and the referral center is 1.5 miles from my house with a good reputation and their own cancer center. -
MRI approved (tomorrow morning)!
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YAY!!
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