3 Lumpectomies

Holly111
Holly111 Member Posts: 2
edited June 2014 in Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
3 Lumpectomies
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  • Holly111
    Holly111 Member Posts: 2
    edited April 2014

    I've had 3 lumpectomies so far because my doctor didn’t remove enough
    of the tumor. The radiologists who read
    my mammogram images should have seen that was a bigger problematic area and
    should have informed the surgeon. I feel it’s very unfair to me that I had to go through
    all these and it cost me a lot financially too. Is there anything I can do to
    get somewhat compensated?

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited April 2014

    A lot of things can only be seen under a microscope. They can't necessarily see how big the area is on imaging.

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  • vlnrph
    vlnrph Member Posts: 1,632
    edited April 2014

    Lobular tumors grow out in a finger like pattern (one cell at a time), not forming a distinct lump like ductal carcinoma so cannot be accurately measured even with ultrasound & MRI. Did you have multiple lesions close together or dense tissue?

    If insurance doesn't cover the repeated reexcisions or you cannot afford the co-pays, etc perhaps the surgeon would discount his/her fee. Some hospitals have a charity care program for which you might qualify. Doesn't hurt to ask. Meanwhile, be gentle with yourself and heal!

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  • mz_mes
    mz_mes Member Posts: 66
    edited April 2014

    Me too - took 3  to get it all and get clean margins. Now that
    I'm healed I'm grateful to the surgeon for being conservative and not
    giving up and saying I had to have a mastectomy. Before the 1st I
    asked her to take breast conserving approach. After 2nd she said we can
    try one more lumpectomy and hope 3 is a charm and we get clean margins but if we don't
    get it all we cannot go back in conservatively. She was clear that 3 lumps was
    it..

    I know it is worrisome, expensive and it hurts and you feel frustrated to have to go thru this again (and again).    At the time for me
    it was the better option -- not that I wanted 3 surgeries! I didn't.  It would have been lovely to get it all the first time.    I
    also didn't feel like I needed a mastectomy which would  have had me considering whether reconstruction would be needed.    I hope your surgeon got clear margins this time and that you can move on in your treatment.

    You are not alone in having to endure 3 surgeries.  Not sure you have any recourse but vlnrph gave you some good ideas to look into with the surgeon and hospital so maybe you can get some financial relief.

    Hope you have peace of mind that you are getting high quality healthcare.

    I wish you fast healing, sending you gentle hugs.

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