Second guessing?!

Meshell5324 · September 2017

Hi,

Sorry this is kinda long. I had a painful lump that I thought was a cyst. My regular primary doctor retired 2 yrs ago. I saw her replacement last year but I really wasn't completely happy with her. When I found the lump I just didn't want to see her and decided to try my friends primary doctor who she highly recommended.

I really liked her and she was spot on with her concerns regarding my lump. She scheduled a mammogram and ultrasound for Tues the 5th in the morning and an appointment for a BS that same day to do a core needle biopsy. I did look up the BS and his practice specialized in breast care only and he had excellent reviews. I was feeling scared but really comfortable knowing that if/when it came back as cancer I would have a really good surgeon who specialized in breast cancer. Ok here's where it gets weird. I'm at the hospital breast care center, I've had my 3D diagnostic mammogram and I've just finished my ultrasound. The technician leaves to go speak to the radiologist who was reading the test results. When she comes back she brings the radiologist with her. He says "that really needs a biopsy." I explain that I have an appointment that evening with Dr .... and he was going to do the biopsy. His response "Dr .... is an excellent surgeon but do to unforeseen circumstances his office is closed indefinitely" OK WHAT! But "I can do the biopsy right now" OK ... yes please do. So, Thursday the 7th my new primary Dr calls me with the news that it is Cancer she says, "I don't know you that well but if it was me I'd want that out " and "I was able to find you a new Surgeon who can see you tomorrow." Ok, since the original guy is out I met with the new Dr. He is a general surgeon who specializes in vascular surgery. He recommended neoadjunctive chemo because of the tumor size and gave me a referral to an oncologist who I will see Tues.

Now I have all this time to think over the weekend and I'm thinking I really need a BS who specializes in breast cancer. I only met with the surgeon for all of 15 mins. He read me my pathology report, double checked my lymph nodes weren't swollen and said shrink the tumor and do a lumpectomy. It sounded good to me at the time.

So after all that rambling on ... has anyone not used a BS who specializes in just breast cancer... is the oncologist more important? I have way to much time to think .....

FarAwayToo · September 2017

Hi Meshell,

Sorry you are joining BCO. I'm also pretty new here (diagnosed on August 31st). My story (and worry) is somewhat similar to yours - I've set up myself with a surgeon who I would trust with taking what was thought to be benign fibroadenoma. When results came back as cancer, after thinking for a few days (also over the weekend), I decided to go with a multidisciplinary team at a university hospital an hour away. I'm seeing them on Tuesday as well. My original surgeon does lots of different surgeries, and specialized both in vascular and breast surgery. Surgeons at university do breast surgery only.

Since you are seeing an oncologist before the surgery, you will have time to think. You can ask your oncologist for recommendations. No, you don't have to jump and do your surgery with the first available surgeon. Evaluate your options. For me - I have to be 100% comfortable with my choice, otherwise I will eat myself alive if something goes wrong. But that's me.

Good luck with your appointment on Tuesday.

NotVeryBrave · September 2017

Sorry that you find yourself here. It's a whirlwind of appointments and emotions in the beginning. I hope this site helps.

My feeling is that any time there's a diagnosis of cancer is a good time to see an oncologist. They are the ones who will know whether or not neoadjuvant chemo is a good idea.

I would recommend a BS. They have a very particular skill set. They have the most experience. And they should be able to give you the best results.

Meshell5324 · September 2017

Thank you Farawaytoo,

I'm going to talk to the Oncologist on Tuesday and really ask a lot of questions. This cancer clinic is on par with a University hospital and has an excellent reputation. I have a feeling I'm going to like the Oncologist. I just don't know if it's bad form to keep the oncologist and not use the surgeon that referred you to them.. Good Luck to you on Tuesday!!

Meshell5324 · September 2017

Thank you Notverybrave,

I have the name of a Breast Surgeon that my Mom's friend used. He has a really good reputation but is farther away. I'm going to call his office on Monday and see if I can get in to see him. I just feel like I have more questions that need answers first.

beach2beach · September 2017

Meshell,

You have to be comfortable with your team. It's a scary time and you want to feel like you are being heard and that everyone is working together and you feel comfortable with each one. Make that call, maybe that office can refer you to one closer to you.

Good luck.

MTwoman · September 2017

Meshell, Please don't worry about "bad form". There is NO problem going with a BS (instead of the vascular surgeon who recommended the MO) and you need to make decisions based on who you think will give you the best care. In fact, I'd talk to the the MO about who they'd recommend and see if they can make a referral for you. I believe that the MO will want more details about your specific bc before making recommendations, but she/he may already have most of that before your appointment. Do plan on taking a person who can take notes for you, or, ask if you can record your meeting with the MO. The first meetings are filled with so much (overwhelming) information that quite a lot can get lost or forgotten.

Mojojennijo · September 2017

I actually got lucky. I have a general surgeon who had a specialty in breast cancer. They are out there. But he's also part of the Seattle cancer care alliance. It's a good group where I go.

Your oncologist will become the ring leader. It would be good if you could find an alliance where they work as a team. Your surgeon, mo, ro, radiologist, pathologist etc. it's comforting when everyone is on the same page.

Best wishes! So sorry about your diagnosis

Meshell5324 · September 2017

Thanks everyone. I met with the oncologist and I'm definitely keeping him! I called the BS that's farther away and got a recommendation for a BS at the same hospital as my MO. I still have to wait for FISH results. If they come back (-) then a mammoprint. More waiting... But I'm slowing my roll..

MTwoman · September 2017

Meshell, slowing down can be hard, many of us are impatient to go ahead and get treatment going. But it really is worth it to get all your team together - ones that you like and trust - and get a treatment plan in place that fits for you. Good for you!!

sudhas · September 2017

I have diagnosed with IDC just today. Report says, it's Grade 3.

Ki67 : high 50%

Her2: Positive 3+

ER: Positive(95%, 2-3+)

PR: Positive (>95%, 2-3+)

I'm going to see surgeon on Friday for next steps. What suggest me what should I do now ?

Meshell5324 · September 2017

Hi Sudhas,

I'm sorry that you find yourself here with us. I was just diagnosed on 9/7 and am still waiting for some testing to come in. For me I first say a surgeon who referred me to my oncologist. It helped me to speak to the HO. He went over my pathogy results step by step. It's a lot to take in but this is a wonderful place to ask questions and read articles. I've learned a lot in less than a week. It does help to bring someone with you to your appointments. They can take notes and provide moral support. Good luck on Friday!

Meshell

MTwoman · September 2017

sudhas, so sorry! I suggest you jump onto the HER2 positive forum, as the order of treatment may be different for you. Many HER2+ women use neo-adjuvant chemo (before surgery) and targeted therapy (Herceptin or Perjeta) and the women there can give you more details. You can ask your surgeon for an MO (medical oncologist) referral, unless you already have recommendations from elsewhere.

Second guessing?!

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