Just diagnosed. Oncologist in Ga?

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Scared7755
Scared7755 Member Posts: 19
edited June 2016 in Just Diagnosed

ladies I was just diagnosed with breast cancer. It's too early to have all the info but Drs are thinking Stage 1a (hopefully). They don't feel any swollen lymph nodes but aren't 100% sure till they do more tests. It's invasive ductal carcinoma. I am being treated at a local breast surgeon in Marietta Ga but was wondering if anyone had oncologist recommendations. Should I try cancer center treatment of America? Md Anderson? My head is flooded with horrible thoughts of leaving my 7 month old. I can survive and beat this right? I am 36 and terrified.

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  • kbram
    kbram Member Posts: 185
    edited June 2016

    Of course you are scared!  It is a natural feeling when given this diagnosis.  You are in the early stages.  Therefore, shock, fear and a whole lot more emotions will start coming to the surface.  Just know, you are not alone. 

    I am in Kennesaw and went to Northwest Georgia Oncology at Kennestone Hospital.  I go to Dr. Hillary Hahm.  She is wonderful!  My very first consultation with her was the Friday of Labor Day weekend.  She stayed and talked with me and my husband until almost 6:00!  She always has time to spend with her patients.  I have all the confidence in the world in her. 

    What breast surgeon did you use?  There are some great doctors and nurses in Cobb County.  You don't need to look elsewhere for treatment.  Considering you will be seeing these doctors on a regular basis, consider going to someone close.

    Let me know if I can answer any questions.  I would be glad to help!

    Kathy



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  • Scared7755
    Scared7755 Member Posts: 19
    edited June 2016

    I went to the Phillip Israel center at Kennestone. I have an appointment tomorrow with Ga Breast Specialists just to get another opinion.

    I am trying to wrap my head around the fact that this can be beaten.

    Can you tell me a little about what to expect? Did you have chemo? Are you in remission?

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  • kbram
    kbram Member Posts: 185
    edited June 2016

    Scared, my story is somewhat different from the normal!  I was diagnosed with IDC in September 2008.  I had a double mastectomy, chemo and reconstruction.  Since my cancer was hormone dependent I was on Aromasin for five years.  A few months after I finished Aromasin, I had a chest wall recurrence that I found myself in the shower!  This is very unusual after a mastectomy.  I had surgery to remove the lump, chemo again and this time radiation.  It was all local, no spread.  I am one year out from finishing all treatment and am currently taking Tamoxifin for the positive hormone receptors. 

    Chemo is not fun, but doable.  Make sure you have a good support system in place and ask for help when needed.

    As for radiation, it is every day for weeks!  Hence me saying previously to find a treatment center convenient to where you live!

    Let me know how you are!

    Kathy

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  • mustlovepoodles
    mustlovepoodles Member Posts: 2,825
    edited June 2016

    Scared, I also live in Marietta. I went down to a Piedmont MO first, on the advice of my BS, who is also at Piedmont. That MO was a complete asshat. He all but patted me on the head before he left, completely blew off my very real concerns that he wasn't going to treat this as seriously as I believed he should. He gave me a prescripti0on for Arimidex and said, See ya in 6 months. WTH?

    Since I was planning to have radiation, I decided to see a RO closer to my house, at Kennestone. She took one look at my records and immediately recommended that I see Dr. Gena Volas-Redd, with Georgia Cancer Specialists (a Northside group.) Dr. Volas-Redd is a dynamo in a small package. She looked over my records, my family medical tree, AND my gene mutations and decided the best course of action was NOT radiation, but chemo, BMX, and preventative hysterectomy. Totally changed my treatment plan, but I was okay with it because by that time I had thoroughly researched my path report and knew that chemo was going to be necessary, at the least.

    I can't say enough good things about Dr. Volas-Redd, her staff, and her colleagues. She and they have been nothing but supportive and wonderful. She is very encouraging and upbeat, but also shoots from the hip--no holding back. Personally, I love that in a doctor. She also treats me as an expert in my own care, thoroughly part of the medical team every step of the way.

    If you want Dr. Volas-Redd's phone number, PM me. She's in the 790 building on Church St.

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  • LibbyD
    LibbyD Member Posts: 25
    edited June 2016

    http://www.breastcareatlanta.com/

    This is the place I go to, a Dr. Simpson. Very nice people and they have everything in their offices so you don't have to go everywhere for different things. Also, if it matters, everyone employed there is a woman.

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