Just diagnosed this week

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meme2006
meme2006 Member Posts: 26
edited October 2015 in Just Diagnosed

I was just diagnosed with infilterative ductal carcinoma. I am terrified! My radiologist tells me I caught it early. I found the lump myself. I had just had a "normal" mammogram July 22. My question is this, should I be seeing a general surgeon who has done breast surgery or look for a specialist? The radiologist told me to call my doctor and see who they recommend and it was a group of general surgeons. I have no clue on what I should be doing. I am glad I found this group, hoping to get some answers in the right direction. Thank you!

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  • mdg
    mdg Member Posts: 3,571
    edited October 2015

    I am sorry you find yourself here...I too had a clear mammogram a few months before I found the 1 cm lump myself on a self check exam. I personally would meet with a breast surgeon and a plastic surgeon. I met with both before I made any decisions about what type of surgery to have. You will want all of your options and want to know what types of surgery the doctors recommend based on your health and situation. As far as plastic surgeons - I would also find one that does only reconstruction. Regular plastic surgeons may not have enough experience if you do decide on mx and reconstruction. Good luck! Hang in there...the beginning is the hardest part.

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  • trying2staypositive7
    trying2staypositive7 Member Posts: 96
    edited October 2015

    Hi Meme2006,

    Sorry that you had to join the club that no one wanted to join but you've come to a great place. We're here for you. It's a scary time (the beginning is the worst because you don't have a treatment plan in place). My suggestion would be to find a breast surgeon that you trust and then ask them which plastic surgeon to go with (they usually have someone they work with). I was lucky enough to have a great GP who suggested my breast surgeon and then I went from there. Whatever you decide, take a family member or close friend with you. You will not remember anything the doctor says because you'll still be in shock for awhile (at least I was). Once you start meeting with doctors, things go so fast. It's so hard in the beginning because you don't know what to expect. Read some of the posts on here. That helped me a lot. And ask lots of questions. You're in my prayers. Let me know if you need anything

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  • Skittlegirl
    Skittlegirl Member Posts: 428
    edited October 2015

    I am sorry that you have found yourself here.

    The radiologist who reviewed the mammogram and ultrasound referred me to my surgeon. I think he still does general surgery (he removed my gallbladder about 5 years ago), but does a lot of breast surgery. My friend was pestering me to schedule a second opinion, but everyone I talked to had seen him for their breast surgery and had wonderful things to say about him.

    So I agree, find a surgeon that you are comfortable with.

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  • rachelvk
    rachelvk Member Posts: 1,411
    edited October 2015

    Meme2006 - So sorry you have to be here. I agree with the above comments about finding a breast surgeon, and if it looks like you will need a mastectomy, a plastic surgeon. Usually a breast surgeon will be able to recommend several plastic surgeons that they work with. So find a breast surgeon who you feel comfortable with and work from there. The question I asked my Ob/Gyn when I was looking for a breast surgeon was, who would you want to do the surgery if it was on your mother?

    Good luck. The road ahead will be long, but you'll find great information and support here on this site. There are a lot of women out there to help you - and you'll also find some amazing gems among your own friends.

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  • lisa137
    lisa137 Member Posts: 569
    edited October 2015

    I had a general surgeon who does a lot of breast surgery, and I didn't have any complaints. It was actually him who diagnosed me in the first place after my gynecologist sent me to him for biopsies , and when he gave me my results and explained lobular breast cancer to my husband and me, he dragged his chair over to the examining table and drew very detailed diagrams to illustrate what he was telling us on the paper cover of the exam table, which was kind of hilarious. It was extremely obvious in his case that although he's a general surgeon, he certainly knew what he was doing with breast cancer and breast surgery. I suspect that he'd be a breast surgeon if he was working in a city large enough to support that specialization, but here he just probably has to wear a few extra hats. I'd say find someone that you are comfortable with and who comes with good recommendations and who really seems to not only know the details of what he plans to do but who also has a real desire to communicate all of that to you.

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  • dtad
    dtad Member Posts: 2,323
    edited October 2015

    Meme. My advice is to see a breast surgeon rather than a general. I also would advise you to be seen at a university based teaching hospital, even for just a second opinion.Where we get treated is one of the most important factors in this process. Good luck..

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  • meme2006
    meme2006 Member Posts: 26
    edited October 2015

    rose50. I am about 25 miles north of Atlanta.

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  • Jinx27
    Jinx27 Member Posts: 238
    edited October 2015

    Meme2006,

    I'm so sorry you were diagnosed, but you caught it early !!! Excellent :)

    I was diagnosed on 09-08-2015 and have finally narrowed down my choice for who I'd like to be my oncologist and breast surgeon. It can take time, but my case is much different than yours.

    After having three opinions, I was most comfortable with a comprehensive cancer center that is widely known in my city.

    There are some questions that need to be asked like...

    What are your options for surgery ? Will you need radiation afterwards ? Do you need genetic testing ? Having access to a comprehensive cancer center will be an advantage to you regardless of the stage of your cancer.This could be a university hospital with roots in research and innovation. Look around and ask some board members that may be in your area.

    BEST WISHES TO YOU !

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2015

    I know you must be in shock but truly, you've found the right place here on these boards to vent fear, anger, anything you want. Be grateful it's in early stage so your future looks bright although I know it doesn't feel that way right now. It will get better. I promise.

    I'd interview more than one breast surgeon and plastic surgeon, and ideally if they've worked together and have a whole lot of experience (years) that's ideal. Go for the specialists whenever you can. You want to hire experts, so make sure you've got a great team of experts helping you with your tx.

    Hugs,

    Claire in AZ

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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited October 2015

    Even if God himself recommended a surgeon, I recommend getting a second opinion. I asked for referrals from every medical professional I knew and 8 out of 10 said Dr. W. I met Dr. W, didn't agree with his recommendations AT all. I met 3 more BS's before deciding on one. It IS important whom you choose. I know had I gone with the first guy, I would have likely been disfigured and subjected to multiple surgeries. Just because a bunch of medical people recommend them, doesn't mean they are right for you. Often, they are just referring you to their friend or colleague.

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  • Mab60
    Mab60 Member Posts: 487
    edited October 2015

    Meme, I wpoul

    Meme, I would highly recommend jennifer amerson of breast care specialists. She does only breasts. She is located on pill hill near northside hospital. She did my surgery as well as my sisters


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  • EtherGirl
    EtherGirl Member Posts: 13
    edited October 2015

    So I am hanging out waiting for my next move. In the meantime I figured I can help those who are having to endure the surgery. I am a CRNA (nurse anesthetist) and have done the anesthesia for all of these types of procedures. With that being said, my disclaimer is I do not have breast cancer (I am in the waiting period and 6 month mammogram/US game) therefore these women can give you their opinion and experience. As for me, if I have to go this route I would have a general/breast surgeon excise the mass, lumpectomy and/or mastectomy. If you are talking mastectomy and immediate reconstruction or implant placement, I'm getting a plastic surgeon. I joke with my family about how I have a specific surgeon for any type of condition we may endure (and I have a list of who would not touch me lol)

    If you have some friends in the medical field (nurses in particular), they might know someone who works in the OR. We surgical people are a tight knit group and tend to know who we would go to if needed.

    Clearly search the web for the particular facility your are going to, do they have a Breast Clinic? Who are their practitioners? When you look at those practitioners. Google them. Do not be afraid to interview them!

    Best wishes, prayers, and hugs!

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  • meme2006
    meme2006 Member Posts: 26
    edited October 2015

    Thank you all for the wonderful advice. I chose to stay with the original surgeon, I just felt so comfortable with him. I had an MRI today, because he wanted to make sure there was nothing else in there since my mamo was clear in July. So I am still playing the waiting game to see what that shows. If scan turns up good, he plans on doing lumpectomy and radiation. Possibly chemo, since I am not menopausal. I will update soon! Thanks again for all the advice. This is definitely the scariest thing I have ever been through.

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