WOW - found another good doc who listens!

[CAMary]

I spent an hour talking w/ the oncologist on Monday - and was pleasantly surprised! He was compassionate, listened well, and was impressed w/all of the homework/research I'd done. He also reassured me it was 100% my choice as to how to proceed, and he would support any choice I made. He assured me insurance would support my choice as well, given the diagnosis/my age (he said if I was 90 y.o, they may balk @ bilateral reconstruction ). He reassured me there is no "wrong choice" and either way, I was going to live a long, long time. He just said it was his job to make sure I was fully educated about the pros/cons of each choice, so that my decision is a fully-informed one.

He suggested I ask my surgeon for some plastic surgeon referrals, and gather reconstruction procedure information. He also suggested an MRI so I get a "full picture" so to speak, to see if there are other areas of concern in either breast, which may influence my choice.

I told him I felt a lot of pressure from the "breast-conservation" movement, and he said is is backlash from what used to be the almost barbaric treatment of women with breast cancer. They would go in for a surgical biopsy, and if it was malignant, a Halstead radical mastectomy (very disfiguring) was performed while they were still in the operating room! He said in most cases, the survival rate is equal for lumpectomy + radiation and mastectomy - so women need to be offered that option. These younger guys (both surgeon and oncologist are only 2-3 years older than me!) have been trained to offer conservation as a first line option, as most women prefer to preserve their breasts. On the other hand, the local recurrence rate *is* higher, so if I am not comfortable w/that (which I am not!), mastectomy is a perfectly reasonable option, as well. Also, the more I read about Tamoxifen and radiation, the more concerns I have about inviting bigger problems down the road as a result of those treatments...

Of course surgery has risks, but most can be minimized/reversed with quality care (post-op infection, blood loss, anesthesia complications) whereas the risks of developing another cancer from treatment (either radiation or Tamoxifen - can only be monitored, not prevented)

Thanks for listening to me ramble! I also think with all of these great Docs I need to get a recommendation for a better GP - I don't care much for mine - and this experience has shown me there *are* good docs out there - and I deserve to be cared for by one of them...

Mary

[kate_ce1995]

Mary,

I'm so happy for you in finding a good doc. How supportive!

You will make a good decision. I'm glad they are willing to send you for an MRI for a better looksee, but you are right, the chemical nature of non-surgical treatment methods is as scary as the disease IMHO. I know they have worked out enough ways to counteract the side effects during treatment so you can function and carry out a reasonably normal life (obviously not normal, normal), but what does it do to a person long term.

I was wondering how Monday went.
Thanks for sharing.
Katy

[barbaranoela]

Mary---I was so happy to read your post---in finding such a wonderful *listening* doctor-----and discussing all your options---
With all issues I imagine a nice sigh of relief rolled right thru U--

I luve a doctor that doesnt stick himself as the *its my way or the highway* but gives the patient a *choice* and Xplains both sides of the coin---

Always in my prayers---and thanks for the update too~~~~

luve Barbara

[Mars]

Mary,
I'm so glad you are able to investigate and go prepared to a doctor who obviously listens and offers many varieties of treatment. What a relief to hear that there are those out there!

I know you have a lot on your plate and a lot to digest before making a decision. What a lot to carry with you day in and day out. I'm sure you will find the best solution and am glad that the doctor(s) are willing to let it be YOUR decision and offer you the information you need to do so.

My prayers continue to be with you. Keep us informed. BTW - you are NOT rambling!!!!


Mars

[CAMary]

Wow!

Oncologist just called me, and in looking more closely @ my history saw I am the third consecutive generation on my mom's side to have this. Even though they were older (though apparently my great-aunt had it as well - and she was younger - in her 40's?? details are sketchy - but she died of something else) - he thinks it is worth it for me to pursue gene testing - esp. as I have *no* personal risk factors. He said it could very well be a "cluster of bad luck" but 50% or more of the women in 2 consecutive generations + me is a bit high to be a coincidence....so anyways he figures the more information I have going into my decision, the better. Plus there would be other considerations, as one of the genes puts a person at considerable risk for ovarian cancer (which is NOT detectable early!) so knowing that information would be pretty important...

He's thorough - I like that! Meanwhile - more pathology delays, so the surgeon's office put me off until Friday...

Mary

[JJ]

Wow, I am impressed with your doc....my thought are with you kiddo! Take care...JJ

[MaggieRedwings]

Morning Mary,

Well I must say I am impressed with your doctor but more impressed how you have taken this in hand. If I remember correctly, and I could very well be wrong, when I watched the Oprah show Renee said that she had the gene test and it cost her $3,000 out of pocket because insurance would not cover it. Being a TV producer, I would assume she had a great medical plan. Make sure you find out if insurance covers this. Otherwise you may be on rice and beans for quite some time.

Good luck and keep us informed.

Love, Maggie