What area doctors thinking??

Kris,
I had the same experience with my GYN. Had mammogram in Dec. 01...all fine. But 2 months later I found a 1.8cm lump. I called GYN to say I found a lump and office staff said she would me 4 weeks later (when I was at the proper place in my cycle...I was 50 yrs. old and on hormones...what cycle?). She said it did not feel like cancer but wanted to do an ultrasound anyway. I asked her if I should get off of the hormones...she said they were safe. HOWEVER, the day I had the ultrasound she called telling me to get off of the hormones immediately and to get to the surgeon...highly suspicious spot. That was the day all the news hit about hormones possibly causing more cancer than we knew (July 1, 2001). I realized then that she really was not the best doctor for a woman concerned with breast cancer. I believe that the surgeon and oncologist are the most experienced ones in terms of finding breast cancer. I also left her office and went to a new office because it was hard to trust her after that. I will never again believe that a GYN is the best one to see for a lump in your breast. You did the right thing, Kris. Good luck...Kathy

Good for you Kris! I feel that life is too short to go to a Dr. that you don't feel comfortable with. After all, we have to put such faith in their decisions about our life. I am blessed to have a good primary care physician. Who by the way, when I found the lump and called his office, he wanted to see me that day. He also said it was not something to wait a watch and got me an appointment with my surgeon that I just love. And my oncologist who told me that his prime objective was to save my life. What else could I ask for? There are good Drs out there sometimes we just have to search for them. We are all warriors in this battle.
Janet

I found my lump also. I called my gyn dr. and they arranged for me to have a mammo in 3 weeks. I told them that it wasnt a tiny little bump, it was large. Actually measured 4.5 cm. To say the least I wasnt going to wait that long, so I called my pcp and had a mammo done 3 hrs later and had my mastectomy with reconstruction done 1 week later. The gynecologist never even called me back. Of course I dont know if the nurse even told her the day I called. I have continued to see this Dr. but I came to the realization that their focus is not on breasts. In fact at my next yearly (last yr)I noticed that she actually did a very poor breast exam. I agree that the surgeon is he best to do this and I see him every 6 months. But now I know what I expect in my health care and if I dont get it, I will go where I can get it. Sharon

hummingbyrd said:

Not specifically maggs, other than a multivitamin, and I do drink about a gallon of milk a week. Don't worry about my bones to much as I get IV Zometa every 3-4 weeks. It's a bisphosphonate which helps rebuild bones. If you are looking for a calcium supplement check with doc, not all are the same. Calcium carbonate is the best absorbed I do believe. (((HUGS)))hummb

Hi Ladies and Happy New Year!

Have been away for a bit but noticed your posts re calcium supplements and wanted to add that Calcium Citrate is the most readily absorbed form which causes less digestive upsets (constipation, etc.). However, all the Calcium in the world won't help us if we don't also take Vitamin D. Our bodies cannot utilize calcium without it.(We also get Vit. D from the sunshine but most of us don't typically have much exposure this time of the year.)

Postmenopausal we need 1,200 mg of Calcium/day and a minimum of 400 i.u. of vitamin D/day. One other important tidbit is that our bodies cannot absorb more than 500mg of Calcium at one time, so our 1200mg's should be taken in divided doses, a.m. and p.m., ideally with meals.

If we're also getting Calcium regularly in our diets, then we want to have some idea of how much and adjust our supplements accordingly. Most of the once-daily vitamin/mineral supplement preparations don't contain very much Calcium so
we need to take additional Calcium. The absolute best way to take calcium citrate is in the powdered form, usually within a clear capsule. Twin Labs and Solgar market it in this form as do some other companies. Pressed tablets have a tendency not to break down and never get utilized. To test how well ANY of your pill form supplements are likely being utilized by your body: pour some white vinegar into a glass (enough to completely cover the pill/tablet) and place your supplement into the vinegar. After 30 minutes, if it's not dissolved, you'll want to try a different brand/manufacturer/formulation.

A quick look on the internet, through a search engine, under calcium, should net a lot of good info and links.

To healthy bones!

Love, light and laughter,
Ink

inkblot said:

Hi Ladies and Happy New Year!

Have been away for a bit but noticed your posts re calcium supplements and wanted to add that Calcium Citrate is the most readily absorbed form which causes less digestive upsets (constipation, etc.). However, all the Calcium in the world won't help us if we don't also take Vitamin D. Our bodies cannot utilize calcium without it.(We also get Vit. D from the sunshine but most of us don't typically have much exposure this time of the year.)

Postmenopausal we need 1,200 mg of Calcium/day and a minimum of 400 i.u. of vitamin D/day. One other important tidbit is that our bodies cannot absorb more than 500mg of Calcium at one time, so our 1200mg's should be taken in divided doses, a.m. and p.m., ideally with meals.

If we're also getting Calcium regularly in our diets, then we want to have some idea of how much and adjust our supplements accordingly. Most of the once-daily vitamin/mineral supplement preparations don't contain very much Calcium so
we need to take additional Calcium. The absolute best way to take calcium citrate is in the powdered form, usually within a clear capsule. Twin Labs and Solgar market it in this form as do some other companies. Pressed tablets have a tendency not to break down and never get utilized. To test how well ANY of your pill form supplements are likely being utilized by your body: pour some white vinegar into a glass (enough to completely cover the pill/tablet) and place your supplement into the vinegar. After 30 minutes, if it's not dissolved, you'll want to try a different brand/manufacturer/formulation.

A quick look on the internet, through a search engine, under calcium, should net a lot of good info and links.

To healthy bones!

Love, light and laughter,
Ink

There you have it....good job Ink, a very thorough
and concise summation of Ca++ supplementation!
Where have you been girlfriend?
Your presence has been sorely missed!
By the way, happy new year to you too! and welcome back.
hummb

hummingbyrd said:

There you have it....good job Ink, a very thorough
and concise summation of Ca++ supplementation!
Where have you been girlfriend?
Your presence has been sorely missed!
By the way, happy new year to you too! and welcome back.
hummb

Hey Humm:

Have just been busy with houseguests and then we took a little trip too. Have missed keeping up with everyone here.

Hope you're continuing to feel well and wondering how your brother is doing? Read about your arm fracture and felt so badly for you! Doesn't that just rip the seam all the way out??? I swear, sometimes I wonder how these docs stay in business, since far too many of them seem to be asleep at the wheel!

Take care and keep drinking that milk!

Love, light and laughter,
Ink