Picking the right doctor makes a huge difference
I'm 39 years old and I started getting mammograms at age 35 because I had friends in their early 30's who developed breast cancer. I spoke with my OB/GYN that I wanted to start getting screened early. So I started at age 35 getting annual mammograms, because I wanted it caught early. I went for an annual mammogram September 24, 2019 and didn't think much about it. I haven't felt anything on monthly exams but by lunch they were calling to tell me that they had found something that needed further imaging. I went the following day for a 3D mammogram on my left breast followed by a an ultrasound. I have a nodule with spiculated margins on the posterior side of my breast at the 1 to 2 o'clock position, BiRAD score of 5. 30 minutes after the ultrasound they were calling to tell me that I needed to see a surgeon. I called Jeff and told him the news, and said I might have to have my breasts removed. He said don't worry they'll give you a whole new set to your specifications, no wait, to my specifications. LOL. It was what I needed to hear. He made me laugh when inside I was falling apart. I love that about him, he knows just what to say to calm me down.
The first surgeon I saw came in the room and the first thing he said was "You're gonna have a large scar. I have to make a large incision, there's nothing I can do about it." After leaving that appointment, which after waiting for over an hour he was with me for 5 minutes, I called my friend who is the department manager of the general surgery unit. I asked her who she would recommend and so I made an appointment with him. Whenever you wanna know who's the best doctor to see, ask a nurse. We base our answers on who has the best bedside manner, least amount of complications and how they treat the nurses. After seeing the 2nd surgeon who specializes in breast cancer, he said that he felt that they could do the biopsy with a needle either ultrasound or mammogram guided. So I go Wednesday for a repeat 3D mammogram and an ultrasound on the left breast followed by a biopsy. Its been 6 weeks since my original mammogram. I'm anxious and even though I am a nurse and I know what my treatment will entail I'm scared. I have 2 daughters that are 8 and 17. I need to be here for the long run with them. And if it is cancer, how do I tell my 8 year old without destroying her innocence. She still believes in Santa and she asked him for magical ice powers like Elsa for Christmas. I don't know how to explain it to her without scaring her. At this point she doesn't know anything. My 17 year old knows and she's old enough to understand. Jeff is freaking out, but being the strong and silent type he's keeping his feelings hidden because he knows I need his strength right now. I'm hoping that Wednesday will be successful and that I can get a definite diagnosis quickly. The not knowing is driving me crazy.
Comments
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Lumpynurse80 take a deep breath and yes I agree that finding the right doctors are key. As for telling your younger daughter just wait and see what your results are. My niece was 8 and nephew 12 when we told them, we really focused on this was just a little issue and that I was going to have a lot of doctor appointments. We told them that just because you have cancer doesn't mean you are going to die, they have a grandmother who has been doing treatment for 5 years and is doing great so that helped. I'm sure there will be a few others that will chime in, this site is very supportive...oh and yes the waiting sucks.
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My daughter was 4 when I was diagnosed. We just told her that mommy had a "boo boo" and it was fine. We never explained cancer to her, and 3 years later it seems that was a decent choice. She will understand someday.
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Lumpynurse80, yes I agree, I work in the medical field 14 years in the OR now on the insurance side. The right doctor can make such a huge difference, I had a similar situation and i'm with a great group of doctors/surgeons now. As far as your children go, with me, I waited to say anything to them until I had a clear plan of what treatment was going to happen before I said anything. Just making sure they knew I was going to be ok in the long run. I think its all on how we explain it to them. Waiting is the worst thing in this whole process, best of luck Wednesday and you've come to the right place, everyone on this board is awesome and I have found any questions I have asked have been answered with so much thoughtfulness and experience to help during this stressful time.
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