Help with Second Opinion in Metro Detroit Mi

I am sorry you got the diagnosis but your tumor is fairly small so that's good. I definitely believe in getting second opinions. I would also encourage you to spend as much time as you have reading on here and learning what you can. You will have to be an advocate for yourself throughout your process. Are you going to have an MRI?

There is a great thread about lumpectomy vs. mastectomy. I would encourage you to read it and think about what your priorities are when you have your surgery. A lot of women have a natural first instinct to do one thing or another. For example, a lot of women think their odds of survival are higher with a mastectomy when studies show that the odds are equal with both a mx and lx with rads. So then you have to consider what other factors are important to you. For example, my first BS recommended a lx with rads. I have breast implants that are 30 years old and I have been told for years that they don't last forever. Also, my own breasts are very small so a lx is going to likely disfigure me pretty good. When I mentioned that to my first surgeon, he was completely dismissive about my concerns. So he is no longer my BS.

You don't mention if you are estrogen or progesterone positive or not but if you are, they will likely want you to take hormone blockers. Are you pre or post menopausal?

Let me know if you can't find the thread on lx or mx and I will find it for you. Hang in there. You will feel better when you know what your plan is. But don't rush into it. A lot of women rush to make a decision and end up regretting what they chose.

welcome melb44. We are sorry to hear about what you are going through but you are getting great advice from our amazing members. Keep us posted

It looks like a good place to get information. I like the team approach of breast care clinics. Karmanos would do similar things and may have a few other options. I found a treatment at the second breast clinic I tried that is the path that I am going to follow. Find out what they both have to say.

My first report from the radiologist was similar to yours. I received additional information when the lab report was returned. I received the stage information from my surgeon after reviewing all the information. Most but not all of the information can be retrieved from the core biopsy. The final lab work from your surgery will be your final diagnosis. I one I have now is a diagnosis of my sample.

"Your Guide to the Breast Cancer Pathology Report" that you can search for on this site helped me understand the information as I received it. It also showed me what information I didn't have yet and what it meant.

On the Susan G Komen site, you can do a search on "doctor appointment questions" and a series of questions can be retrieved for each stage of doctors appointments you are doing. I also learned a lot from the discussion boards here. You are doing the right things!

I live in Ohio but had treatment at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor at the Comprehensive Breast Care Center.  Plus, my 80 year old mom was recently diagnosed Stage 1 and had treatment there.  I am U of M's biggest cheerleader.  They are AMAZING!!   It was worth the thousands of miles I drove and still drive! 

At U of M, they arrange to get all your records.  You go on a Monday, all-day appointment.  The breast surgeon, Oncologist and others talk to you.  Then each and every case goes before the Tumor Board to decide the course of action.  When 40 experts told me I needed a Mastectomy, chemo, Herceptin radiation,I believed them.  When 40 experts told my mom she needed a Lumpectomy and no further treatment, we believed them!

I cannot think of one negative thing to say about U of M Cancer Center!!  Here is their phone number:

New and Current Patients:Please call 734-936-6000 (Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm EST)

My surgeon whom I love love love is Dr Ruarke out of Troy Beaumont. My oncologist were out of Royal oak at the time but now have is practice is west Bloomfield with mclaren bur still has his privileges wirh beaumont, dr Parikh also amazing doctor. I had a second opinion also , wirh dr flarity (not sure of spelling ) at Karmanos, he was also great but said I was in great hands and choose to be closer !! I hope you find peace wirh your decisions, it was the hardest part for me. You can aldo private message me if you gave questions! !