update pain after mastectomy

inkblot said:

Hi Terry:

Happy to hear that your pain level has decreased!
Excellent news.

I went to Fox Chase for a consult. They're very well organised there in managing consults. My appoint was in the A.M. When I first arrived, there was check in and a few things I had to sign. (I'd already taken care of insurance info,ect., via fax and phone) We all (there were several other people there for A.M. consults) went into a conference room and had refreshments...then we had a Q&A session with an onc. social worker. We all got some printed info, mammo magazine, etc. Then we went to another area where we began to see the team. (I'd already had my path slides, reports, etc. sent there).

The team, consisting of a pathologist, medical onc., surgeon and radiation onc, together, review each patient's slides, reports, films, etc..

I first saw the med onc. Next the surgeon and finally the rad onc. They each made their recommendations for treatment (I'd already had surgery at that point) I didn't feel rushed or hurried and each dr. took their time and answered all our questions, etc.. I found everyone to be very nice but it is officially a "clinic" and runs as such. I was told, honestly, that having chemo and rads there would take more time than at most other facilities. (I asked specifically about time tables, etc. as that was important to me) Where I ultimately had my chemo, I was in and out in under 3 hours. At Fox, it would have taken about 7 hours, they said. Reason being that check in was more time consuming. Labs for counts was more time consuming than at most other facilities (more patients and more of a wait) and then there was typically a wait to get the chemo going.

I really liked the surgeon...a Dr. Boras. I believe she has since left Fox Chase, if memory serves me correctly here (I still get stuff in the mail from them on staff goings on and fund raisers, etc.) The Medical Onc. was a very intense individual as I recall but very nice too. The Rad. Onc. was a very pleasant lady and everyone wanted to be certain that I understood everything.

I think your experience there will be a good one.
(I have friends who've gone there for treatments, as well as to U.P., and have all been very satisfied with the level of care they received)

Just take along your list of questions, concerns and issues so you don't forget anything.

Hugs and best of luck! Keep us posted.

Love, light and laughter,
Ink