what about 2nd opinions

lifewhatatrip

I was just dx infiltrative duct carcinoma after mammo & biopsy. This announcement is still sinking in. However, my husband exclaimed I should get second opinion on the lab results. Does anyone have experience with this(2nd op; or husbands LOL)? and do u think another biopsy would have to be done?

LoveBabyJesus

Hi.
Welcome to the board, and I am sorry for the results you got.

I was dx with IDC. and decided to get a second opinion. Both hospitals were great, but Sloan was best. I picked up my tissue from the lab where the biopsy was done. Yes, I carried my tissue around with me.

I also got copies of ALL my MRI images, Sonograms, Mammos, you name it, I got it. I went to check at the other hospital (Sloan) not only to confirm it was c, but to get an opinion about treatment plan. They both had the same plan, but decided to stay at Sloan after all (originally I was dx at Mount Sinai). There was no need to do another biopsy, plus I didn’t want to lose any time! I wanted this thing OUT ASAP.

My advice: Get a second opinion if you’d like, but at least get the lump out, if they can get it out before chemo (IF chemo is even needed – you may not need it). I didn’t want to wait too long, so I did everything within a week, and got my surgery 3-4 weeks after that.

Other sisters will also give you great advice here!

I wish you the best of luck with everything. Keep the positive attitude, very important. And have faith.

lifewhatatrip

LoveBabyJesus said:

Hi.
Welcome to the board, and I am sorry for the results you got.

I was dx with IDC. and decided to get a second opinion. Both hospitals were great, but Sloan was best. I picked up my tissue from the lab where the biopsy was done. Yes, I carried my tissue around with me.

I also got copies of ALL my MRI images, Sonograms, Mammos, you name it, I got it. I went to check at the other hospital (Sloan) not only to confirm it was c, but to get an opinion about treatment plan. They both had the same plan, but decided to stay at Sloan after all (originally I was dx at Mount Sinai). There was no need to do another biopsy, plus I didn’t want to lose any time! I wanted this thing OUT ASAP.

My advice: Get a second opinion if you’d like, but at least get the lump out, if they can get it out before chemo (IF chemo is even needed – you may not need it). I didn’t want to wait too long, so I did everything within a week, and got my surgery 3-4 weeks after that.

Other sisters will also give you great advice here!

I wish you the best of luck with everything. Keep the positive attitude, very important. And have faith.

Thank you
Thanks for the reply. All the chats I've read are so uplifting. I appreciate having this resource.

mamolady

2nd opinion
Getting the existing biopsy checked by another lab is a better idea than having another biopsy. Be sure to take copies of everything.
It is never a bad idea to have a second opinion as long as you don't delay treatment. You really need to be comfortable with and trust your doctors.
Make sure you take someone with you to all your appointments. Write down as much as you can or have the doctor write it down. Kaiser prints out a summary at the end of the appointment. Write down questions prior to the appointments. Keep a note pad with you at all times because you will come up with questions at odd times.

Your husband may not want to believe you have cancer. This is almost as hard on them as it is on us.
When I had my ultrasound, the doctor was certain it was BC. I had the biopsy the next day and had to wait 5 days for results. I told my daughter after the US that I had cancer, was having the biopsy and when I would get the results. When I called her to tell her the results she was really disappointed. I said "we knew what it was" her response was "I was just hoping he was wrong".

This is a crazy ride but you will get through it. This is a great resource for questions, encouragement, prayers and hugs!
all the best,
Cindy

Rague

Different DX -
I'm IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer) and I'm 2 yrs out of DX and doing great. I did not get second opinions - I didn't feel the need to as basically all my DRs told me the same thing. The radiologist who did the biopsy, the surgeon, the Rads Dr and Chemo Dr all basically said exactly the same thing - Chemo, surgery, Chemo, Rads in that order.

Husbands on the other hand can be a bit different. Hubby (of 35 years) had a very hard dealing with my DX as he had lost his Mother when he was 9 to Cervical Cancer. Also in the years we'd been married the only time I've came close to being "sick" (other than a cold or sinus infections, etc.) was with both Sons being C-sections. Also as a Navy Wife I was always the 'strong one' that took care of everything. The only Dr appt he's been to was the second appt with Surgeon and it was obviously horrible for him (thought he was going to pass out) - that's the last appt. he went to. (Well that's not quite true - he was there for port implant and surgery, and he did take me to the colonoscopy as I was 'knocked out' so had to have someone to drive.) He would be there for anything he NEEDED to be but I prefer to be the hard headed old 'hag' I am and handle everything I can on my own.

There is no "one size fits all" - we are each unique as are our families/loved ones so what works great for some is not necessarily what others should do.

Thoughts and prayers!

Susan

Rague

mamolady said:

2nd opinion
Getting the existing biopsy checked by another lab is a better idea than having another biopsy. Be sure to take copies of everything.
It is never a bad idea to have a second opinion as long as you don't delay treatment. You really need to be comfortable with and trust your doctors.
Make sure you take someone with you to all your appointments. Write down as much as you can or have the doctor write it down. Kaiser prints out a summary at the end of the appointment. Write down questions prior to the appointments. Keep a note pad with you at all times because you will come up with questions at odd times.

Your husband may not want to believe you have cancer. This is almost as hard on them as it is on us.
When I had my ultrasound, the doctor was certain it was BC. I had the biopsy the next day and had to wait 5 days for results. I told my daughter after the US that I had cancer, was having the biopsy and when I would get the results. When I called her to tell her the results she was really disappointed. I said "we knew what it was" her response was "I was just hoping he was wrong".

This is a crazy ride but you will get through it. This is a great resource for questions, encouragement, prayers and hugs!
all the best,
Cindy

Harder on Hubby's
In our case I think it was a lot harder on Hubby than on me (emotionally). I'm a hard head old board that is going to fight no matter what I have to fight. Hubby (of 35 yrs.) had lost his Mother at 9 to Cervical Cancer. It's really been rough on him but he's made it through as have I.

But then we are all different!

Susan