Love my NEW MO

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MsGebby
MsGebby Member Posts: 659
in Breast Cancer #1
OMG ... a lot of the crap I've been through would not have happened IF I had this MO in the first place. She and I are on the same page. I told her why I was in search of a new doctor. I was diagnosed on August 26 of last year. Surgery in September. Then a second surgery for clean margins in November. That was way too long. Then I told her that radiation started in January. She says "you started Arimidex in November, right?" NOPE. That started in March. She was flabbergasted. But she reassured me that she didn't think the cancer could've invaded my lungs in that amount of time. She said that whatever it is, it was probably there BEFORE diagnosis. She went to say that if there is cancer in my lungs, I will be stage IV and will be treated like someone with a chronic condition. This doctor told me that when my next scan is done, she will decide how to proceed. If the nodules grow and the masses do not get smaller, I will have surgery. It actually sounded to me that she is going to do surgery one way or the other. The scan is set for August 6th and then I see the doctor at Sloan Kettering. I think it's around the 25th of August. I go back to this new MO on September 4th.

While at her office today, I had an issue with my breathing. She says her best patients are the ones that can breath. LOL She and the NP were so wonderful. They both just wanted to make sure I was alright before going ahead with the exam and such. I told them I would call my pulmonolgist ASAP (somehow I knew they would call him if I didn't). When I left I placed a call to the specialist and was told he was on vacation. OH Boy! But the nurse did say she would try to get him. Guess what? He called me! He prescribed steroids and some antibiotics (I am coughing up green stuff) and instructed me to take them right away. He said I should feel better within 12 hours and if I don't to call his office in the morning.

Almost everyone of you have said that being your advocate makes a huge difference. YES INDEED! I feel empowered. I know I am going to be fine now. I just know it.

So there you have it. This survivor/thriver is still dancing.

O BLA DEE O BLA DAH ... Life goes on ..........

Comments

  • mom62
    mom62 Member Posts: 604 Member
    #2
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    Love your new MO
    Mary,

    Glad to hear your new MO is working for you! I started right away when I was diagnosed the second time. I wanted to know everything and told them what I thought they should do. My doctors (surgeon, oncologist etc.) all talked to each other so I would also listen when they talked to me about their conversations with each other. They were very telling. Sometimes I learned things I didn't know by doing this. I'm telling them when I go back I want a PET scan or MRI. They gave me a bone scan last time and I can still feel changes in my chest area. You know your body better than anyone, glad you changed doctors and got the help you needed. It sounds like it lifted your spirits as well. Keep it up girlfriend!

    Terry
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #3
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    I love your new MO too! I
    I love your new MO too! I really believe that we all need to be our own advocate! Look how it worked out for you! Very happy for you Mary.


    Hugs, Jan
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    #4
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    survivorbc09 said:

    I love your new MO too! I
    I love your new MO too! I really believe that we all need to be our own advocate! Look how it worked out for you! Very happy for you Mary.


    Hugs, Jan

    Mary...
    I'm confused....typical for me....lol..... You do in fact have nodules in your lungs? Do they know if it's the bc that has metastasized? What kind of surgery would they do? I was told they don't operate but instead do chemo....first thing I asked when mine came back in my lymph nodes, the clavicle one was the first...I was told they would not remove them...

    I pray all turns how great for you...you've been through enough!
    Big hugs, Nancy
  • laughs_a_lot
    laughs_a_lot Member Posts: 1,368 Member
    #5
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    Wow
    Good for you but it sure was a long time in comming.
  • MsGebby
    MsGebby Member Posts: 659
    #6
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    MAJW said:

    Mary...
    I'm confused....typical for me....lol..... You do in fact have nodules in your lungs? Do they know if it's the bc that has metastasized? What kind of surgery would they do? I was told they don't operate but instead do chemo....first thing I asked when mine came back in my lymph nodes, the clavicle one was the first...I was told they would not remove them...

    I pray all turns how great for you...you've been through enough!
    Big hugs, Nancy

    Hey nancy
    This doctor said that since my cancer was caught early and is of the "favorable" type, she felt that the nodules most likely aren't metastasized. She feels these nodules were there before diagnosis of BC. She did sound as though surgery was going to happen, one way or the other because it's been a year since finding these little buggers. She said it's the only way to know for sure what is going on in my lungs. SO, the scan is set for August 6th and I see the thoracic surgeon at Sloan Kettering on the 24th. She wants his input on his findings. The thing that is important here is that Arimidex has had NO affect on these nodules. It leads us to believe it is not mets. It could be from something very benign. She just doesn't want to keep the guessing game going.

    I am guessing the surgery that would be preformed is the VATS surgery. The nodules are under 1 cm (the last scan about a month ago showed them to be 8-9mm which is just shy of 1 cm) and surgery is too risky when they are that small. The 2 masses are the biggest concern. We don't know if the radiation caused them to happen. I hope that is the case. As for the nodules, she said some were in the radiated area but many were not. I don't know. It's all very confusing. I do feel fine and from what I've read, if this is cancer, I would not be feeling well and losing tons of weight. Is that your understanding too?

    I've been on such a high, nothing can bring me down right now. I really believe good news comes in 3s. The next big test is the scan. Then the news from the thoracic surgeon.

    There's a big wait in between but I don't want to think about what could be.

    You are saying something about chemo. I am sure that is what I will be facing if there is cancer found. But the only way to know for sure is having VATS. Keeping fingers crossed that I will have the best news since being diagnosed.

    I have to ask you something. Why are we followed by the surgeon? I don't understand. Isn't their job surgery? I mean, I had a good mammo, am NED, and feel fine. You always have information about these things. Please help me out with this one.
  • MsGebby
    MsGebby Member Posts: 659
    #7
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    laughs_a_lot said:

    Wow
    Good for you but it sure was a long time in comming.

    Amen sister! Taking control
    Amen sister! Taking control is key. What a lesson to be learned. I feel great and don't have dark moments anymore. I simply tell myself >>> Let it be.

    How are ya? You are in NY, right? Forgive me if I have forgotten where you are. I am in constant brain fog. I know you get what I mean.

    thanks for always being here for me

    xoxo
    Mary
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    #8
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    MsGebby said:

    Amen sister! Taking control
    Amen sister! Taking control is key. What a lesson to be learned. I feel great and don't have dark moments anymore. I simply tell myself >>> Let it be.

    How are ya? You are in NY, right? Forgive me if I have forgotten where you are. I am in constant brain fog. I know you get what I mean.

    thanks for always being here for me

    xoxo
    Mary

    Me again...
    My surgeon followed me for 3 years..I saw him the last time in Jan...he released me as there was nothing else he could do for me...I was surprised that he followed me that long....I guess that must be pretty standard procedure for most...I figured the more that looked after me, the better....

    I also felt fine and had no weight loss, until my scans revealed the brain mets in Feb....because of the brain rads (10) I developed thrush...yuk!!! I had it for almost 3 months...I'd take oral meds for this, it would go away and come right back...add the taste buds being way off and food had no interest at all....it was awful...I have now lost 30 pounds, that I didn't need to lose...slowly I am beginning to have interest in food again..some things taste normal and others yuk....especially meats..it's the texture that gets me...but I think I've gained 2 pounds in the last week...YEAH! I only weigh127...I look like a bald scarecrow! lol.....my taste buds won't be normal as long as I'm on chemo, which is indefinite..but the chemo IS DOING it's things as my tumor markers have gone from 98 in Feb. (which signaled the bc hd spread yet again,) to 34, a month ago..this is normal range!!!! I credit the Avastin+Carboplatin...especially the Avastin.... now chemo only every 3 weeks instead of every 2 weeks...another big YEAH!... I am praying that if the markers stay this good, perhaps I'll only have to have a maintenance dose....

    I pray that all will go well with all your testing and that surgery won't be needed....you've had enough crap!!! Wishing the VERY BEST outcome...

    Big 'ole hugs, Nancy
  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member
    #9
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    MsGebby said:

    Hey nancy
    This doctor said that since my cancer was caught early and is of the "favorable" type, she felt that the nodules most likely aren't metastasized. She feels these nodules were there before diagnosis of BC. She did sound as though surgery was going to happen, one way or the other because it's been a year since finding these little buggers. She said it's the only way to know for sure what is going on in my lungs. SO, the scan is set for August 6th and I see the thoracic surgeon at Sloan Kettering on the 24th. She wants his input on his findings. The thing that is important here is that Arimidex has had NO affect on these nodules. It leads us to believe it is not mets. It could be from something very benign. She just doesn't want to keep the guessing game going.

    I am guessing the surgery that would be preformed is the VATS surgery. The nodules are under 1 cm (the last scan about a month ago showed them to be 8-9mm which is just shy of 1 cm) and surgery is too risky when they are that small. The 2 masses are the biggest concern. We don't know if the radiation caused them to happen. I hope that is the case. As for the nodules, she said some were in the radiated area but many were not. I don't know. It's all very confusing. I do feel fine and from what I've read, if this is cancer, I would not be feeling well and losing tons of weight. Is that your understanding too?

    I've been on such a high, nothing can bring me down right now. I really believe good news comes in 3s. The next big test is the scan. Then the news from the thoracic surgeon.

    There's a big wait in between but I don't want to think about what could be.

    You are saying something about chemo. I am sure that is what I will be facing if there is cancer found. But the only way to know for sure is having VATS. Keeping fingers crossed that I will have the best news since being diagnosed.

    I have to ask you something. Why are we followed by the surgeon? I don't understand. Isn't their job surgery? I mean, I had a good mammo, am NED, and feel fine. You always have information about these things. Please help me out with this one.

    It is so great that you
    It is so great that you finally are getting good care! You've shown all of us that we do need to take control and not just go along with sub standard treatment.


    I am wishing you the best of luck with your scan!


    Hugs, Leeza
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #10
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    MsGebby said:

    Amen sister! Taking control
    Amen sister! Taking control is key. What a lesson to be learned. I feel great and don't have dark moments anymore. I simply tell myself >>> Let it be.

    How are ya? You are in NY, right? Forgive me if I have forgotten where you are. I am in constant brain fog. I know you get what I mean.

    thanks for always being here for me

    xoxo
    Mary

    This is such good news and
    This is such good news and you sound so strong and so determined, which I know you are!


    Lots of positive thoughts, prayers and all the good luck there is for you!


    Hugs, Kylez
  • Noel
    Noel Member Posts: 3,095 Member
    #11
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    MsGebby said:

    Amen sister! Taking control
    Amen sister! Taking control is key. What a lesson to be learned. I feel great and don't have dark moments anymore. I simply tell myself >>> Let it be.

    How are ya? You are in NY, right? Forgive me if I have forgotten where you are. I am in constant brain fog. I know you get what I mean.

    thanks for always being here for me

    xoxo
    Mary

    So glad about your MO
    You are so right about us taking control! I wish everyone knew this right from the start. Thanks Mary for just affirming this!


    Good luck,


    Noel

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