Just Diagnosed - Scared and Stressed about doctor selection

BIL621

Hi all,

during a routine annual mammogram followed by a biopsy I was diagnosed with breast cancer. My radiologist said I would need a lumpectomy and suggested I go to a doctor named Dr Mcntoch out of Englewood hospital in NJ (very close to where I live) who is highly recommended.

I also called a trustworthy organization who said dr Mcntoch is very good but then also gave me the name of a top doc in NYC based out of Memorial Sloan Kettering named Dr Sacchini.

I have scheduled a consultation with both of them this week, but am unsure what to do or who to select as my doctor I don’t want to make the wrong decision

my husband feels that since this is a pretty straightforward procedure (he just went through this with his mom) I should stay local for personal care with someone highly recommend. However, I grew up in Brooklyn NY and was always told that NYC has the best doctors . In addition when I think cancer care it is almost synonymous with MSK. I keep thinking, what happens if something goes wrong Which doctor and which hospital is better equipped to see me through to a successful outcome

I don’t know what to do and it is really stressing me out.

a little about me:

I am 56, and married to my wonderful and supportive husband for 26 years. I am a mom of 5 (3 boys and 2 girls) and two new grandchildren (boy and girl) I am close with my 2 sisters and nieces and nephews I am blessed to be surrounded by love and support

I work as an executive in a very biotech company, managing a wonderful team of people

Note: have not shared this diagnosis beyond my immediate family and my direct manager. I don’t want ppl to look at me differently

I am scared and stressed and don’t want to make the wrong decision about my care

any help and recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

💕

RocDocVic

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/327576/just-diagnosed-scared-and-stressed-about-doctor-selection

A couple of items to consider. Will they be taking Sentinel lymph node samples during surgery to see if the cancer has spread? This can change the treatment approach taken. Will you need radiation following surgery? Chemotherapy treatment recommended? Will you be meeting with an Oncologist as well who works with the surgeon and radiologist? Follow-up care? Future mammograms or MRIs?

Because of my type of Breast Cancer and size of tumor I'm having Chemo 1st followed by surgery/radiation, then more targeted treatment drugs for my specific cancer. I have a whole team of specialists for each part of the process.

Ask questions and make sure they are up front on everything. Have them provide specifics of the proposed course of treatment. See who you feel most comfortable with, are they trustworthy. Also, make sure they contact you before scheduling any and all appointments. Some don't and you're out of the loop. Some places rely only on the MyCharts program and not everything works so you miss appointments. I told my team every appointment they must contact me to confirm. I have other things going on and I add everything onto my calendar for planning purposes.

Best of luck. It's not an easy journey, but it can be done. We're here for you ❤

BIL621

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1712503#Comment_1712503

Thank you so much! I really appreciate your response and your sharing things to consider and to ask.

Best of luck to you! Wishing you a speedy and complete recovery 💕

Kolloxkolllox

Hi BIL621, I just stumbled across your post. I'm not from the USA, so I can't help in doctor advice, but my BC journey is extremely similar to yours, routine mammogram in October, found lump, biopsy resulted in ILC, lumpectomy done, margins unclear, mastectomy in 2 weeks. I'm just here to show you support. It's a shock of course, when your life is going on as normal and this crops up unexpectedly, but if we take it one step at a time, we can do this. Take care.

LifeInBloom100

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1712585#Comment_1712585

Also wishing YOU the best prognosis post-mastectomy, and the least amount of discomfort as you recover. I know this is a big deal -- I had a double mastectomy in October and a re-excision for additional margins to be declared clear -- but since everyone's experience is different, I'll share a one-spectrum one from my personal ordeal:

The first few days were manageable with pain meds and the new territory (navigating movement with wound drains) took some getting used to. BUT --- I was surprisingly moving around and finding the whole physicality less daunting than I'd heard it would be. Again - everyone's different.

I hesitate to share that I was doing squats slowly to keep my legs strong the same week (I am not used to being sedentary; I'm an exercise fanatic) and am not advocating doing anything physical that your body feels it can't handle and certainly without your physician's OK. But I share this to say, that with one day at a time, we do get through this. Sending you healing energy and wishes for your speedy recovery.

LifeInBloom100

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1712585#Comment_1712585

I meant to say I ECHO your sentiment, rather than send an advisory message, lol. :)

EmpressSammi

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/327576/just-diagnosed-scared-and-stressed-about-doctor-selection

Hi BIL621, I am sorry that you have to go through this at all. I understand how you feel. I live in PA and where i live there is nothing. Truth be told i wanted to go to a different treatment center in another state, known for its excelence in cancer treatment, and i am from there originally. However the cost for a second opinin was costly since id have to do it online. I also wanted to look at a more natural treatment, i don't always prescribe to our way of medicine, that is neither here nor there, anyways the nearest one for me is quite the journey. Not that this long story matters, i ended up an hour away as opposed to driving 3.5 hours. Anyhow i am glad your hubby and family are supportive of you. In the end it is your body, yes you do need to consult with your hubby and discuss things, however you need to go where you feel comfortable and who you feel comfortable with. Your care will be better, you having confidence in your team is very important, after all you don't want just anyone to cut you open. You see all the doctors you need to till you find one your happy with and makes you feel comfortable and cared for. 🙂

ladyrox1

https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/327576/just-diagnosed-scared-and-stressed-about-doctor-selection

Hi,

I hope you have continued strength and guidance for the decisions needed to be made moving forward.

I’ll say this hasn’t been easy. Luckily, I went out of town per recommendation of someone in medical field, to see another oncology surgeon at a top hospital someone who not only has years experience but that’s all he treats day in and day out. I am so thankful for the person who suggested that well, it was a 3 hour drive so I just stayed up there during treatment as I had family in area.

I had 3 limph nodes removed and they were negative, clear margins, double mastectomy, and it’s hormone postive- 2drains left in for two weeks post surgery is rough, just make sure you get a comfty recliner as I slept in it for two weeks. After drains taken out was able to sleep on bed.

walks daily and arm movement as recommended by physical therapists, eat healthy, for me no sugar no alcohol was recommended by nutritionist from hospital, amongst other dietary changes as I have arthritis/osteopenia .

Walks,

at about 6 -8 weeks light weights, cardio more, balance yoga, all helped also with the anxiety one may feel as visits, tests, more scans and or labs are needed.

now I’m on Anastrozole, 1mg

for min of 5 years as mine was hormone

positive. In my 3rd week and symptom free-

the daily morning and before bed stretches are helping I’m sure.

bloodwork checked every 3-6 months,

so it is important to find out the stage after surgery, the grade, hormone + or neg. , her2 + or neg. , clear margins? Lymph node involvement,

radiation and or chemo needed based on what reasons and getting 2nd opinion seeing if all are saying same things

my first oncologist said oh we can do lumpectomy, radiation and reconstruction, never mentioned going flat is an option to and there are prosthesis bras out there.

as I chose that, as too many I know have to get redone in 10-15 yrs, and or their Bc comes back and the reconstruction material could be in way of actually feeling ones chest.

that of course is a very personal Decision one needs to make not easy at first. But with much talk and prayers, I am where I am, and happy with my choice.

my surgeon did not recommend lumpectomy as he wanted to make sure he got it all out as he did. With clear margins! I went to top hospital. So they do this daily vs a local surgeon wanting to do lumpectomy who might have 10 a week where my surgeon does 5 in one day.

reading and being proactive. Is key. Yet not over reading researching late at night as one can go down a rabbit hole of more and more info and each bc is unique to that person and how they treat it

I hope some of my words provide comfort and

know that you are not alone in this. You have your family, friends, and support of all those going through this very challenging times in our life.

May we all have peace knowing that we are in the best treatment, we can be fine and we do have lots to doing with that with our mind, body. The stronger we remain the easier to bounce back after treatments.

have a blessed day everyone. 🕊️