Guest guest Posted June 22, 2006 Report Posted June 22, 2006 So your " surgeon " recommended you start chemo without a biopsy...then you show up at the " oncologist " for chemo and they say not without a biopsy...why would they have scheduled you in the first place, which takes a lot of planning to begin with, if you hadn't met the oncologist to go over your pathology of a biopsy not performed yet? Now they're telling you have the biopsy and start your chemo (2) days later, but cut your hair, join a support group ...ALL before your biopsy results? There's something wrong here, and if " this " is what you're being " told, " I'd find a whole new team of doctors who actually know what they are doing. How do they know what " chemo " to start you on if A) they don't know if it's cancer, and would have to see the pathology report to see what chemo you'd best respond to? (Girls, I'm sorry if this sounds " harsh, " but there have been situations where things just " don't add up " with some of our members and we're the ones who get hurt in the long run...I'm just trying to add 1+1 and make 2 here, and it's not happening - watch it, girls) Quote
Guest guest Posted June 23, 2006 Report Posted June 23, 2006 I completely agree. Also NO WAY would I ever cut my hair off without knowing for sure what Chemo if any I was getting. Starting Chemo 2 day's later does not sound right either, in most cases the report is not even back yet. Nope doesn't sound harsh at all, some things just don't add up, and I'd be running for the hill's ASAP. Yep, I'd be getting new Doctors FAST. In a message dated 6/23/2006 4:55:10 AM Central Daylight Time, ssist@... writes: Now they're telling you have the biopsy and start your chemo (2) days later, but cut your hair, join a support group ...ALL before your biopsy results? There's something wrong here, and if " this " is what you're being " told, " I'd find a whole new team of doctors who actually know what they are doing. How do they know what " chemo " to start you on if A) they don't know if it's cancer, and would have to see the pathology report to see what chemo you'd best respond to? (Girls, I'm sorry if this sounds " harsh, " but there have been situations where things just " don't add up " with some of our members and we're the ones who get hurt in the long run...I'm just trying to add 1+1 and make 2 here, and it's not happening - watch it, girls) Vicki K. Biopsy Dx'd 3-23-05 w/ 3 cm tumor Age 48 1/2 (turned 49 July) MRM 4-5-05 w/ 2 tumor's 5cm, and 6 cm (right side) 5+/16 nodes Stage 3 ER/PR-, Her2/neu ++ 3.42 confirmed by FISH ki67 78% Begin Chemo 5-2-05 4XAC Dose Dense , 4X Abraxane Dose Dense (ended August 05) 28 Rad's ended October 13 2005 Started Herceptin Weekly August 2005 for one year, will be done this August 2006. Had a Simple mastectomy left side after Mamo showed incresed micro-calcifications. Jan. 17 2006. Breast Cancer SURVIVOR --Dx'd 4-2005 Quote
Guest guest Posted June 23, 2006 Report Posted June 23, 2006 Frances, Sorry to hear chemo is on hold but thats the best way to go. I will keep you in my prayers. Hugs nne Breast Cancer Patients Soul Mates for Life http://www.geocities.com/chucky5741/breastcancerpatients.html Check out my other ornaments at www.geocities.com/chucky5741/bcornament.html Lots of info and gifts at: www.cancerclub.com CinDWood Crafts http://www.cindwoodcrafts.com No Chemo Today Well, it looks like my onc agrees with you, ladies. I went in for chemo as scheduled. When he found out that the biopsy STILL hadn't been done he said, no biopsy, no chemo. My surgeon didn't think there'd be a problem, but the onc did. Biopsy is scheduled for Tuesday with first chemo Thursday. Wednesday is my hair appointment (buzz cut). I'm planning on getting a " bangs headband " and wear hats during the summer. Support group is also Wednesday. Friday I get a shot of, well I have to go get the sheet, --- it's the stuff that begins with an " l " and helps white blood count. So, more waiting . . . I would have never believed I would want a " routine " to start. I'm ready. -Frances M R Bartels ki0dz@... (((#))) ^ ^ http://www.RudolphsRabbitRanch.com Central Ohio | ^ - ^ Order Watkins Products www.watkinsonline.com ------- (o o) Internet for $11.99/month ^#092389^ |ooOoo| >{ | }< ^ http://1.connectto.net/?s_c=1005349607 ------- RRR)* Quote
Guest guest Posted June 23, 2006 Report Posted June 23, 2006 Amen, ! You are not being harsh at all. We can not just blindly assume that what the doctors suggest is in our own best interest. I am one of those women and hate to think where I would be if I didn't advocate for myself. I had the BEST breast surgeon in the area and had to keep on top of him and the hospital to have a Her2 test done. We are the ones who care the most about us! Ruth > > So your " surgeon " recommended you start chemo without a biopsy...then you > show up at the " oncologist " for chemo and they say not without a biopsy...why > would they have scheduled you in the first place, which takes a lot of planning > to begin with, if you hadn't met the oncologist to go over your pathology of a > biopsy not performed yet? Now they're telling you have the biopsy and start > your chemo (2) days later, but cut your hair, join a support group ....ALL > before your biopsy results? > > There's something wrong here, and if " this " is what you're being " told, " I'd > find a whole new team of doctors who actually know what they are doing. How > do they know what " chemo " to start you on if A) they don't know if it's > cancer, and would have to see the pathology report to see what chemo you'd best > respond to? > > (Girls, I'm sorry if this sounds " harsh, " but there have been situations > where things just " don't add up " with some of our members and we're the ones who > get hurt in the long run...I'm just trying to add 1+1 and make 2 here, and it's > not happening - watch it, girls) > > > > > Quote
Guest guest Posted June 23, 2006 Report Posted June 23, 2006 -Frances, When I was dx I knew the same day as the biopsy that it was cancer but that is not the normal. Normally it takes about a week to get the final results. (The other biopies I had all took about a week) After I had the results I saw both a oncologist and a radiation oncologist before they did the mastectomy. Chemo didn't start until about the 7th week after the mastectomy because they wanted me to heal before starting chemo as chemo would slow down the healing process. I have to tell you that I don't feel real comfortable with your surgeon making all these decisions. My sister's surgeon did this and I feel that he made a huge mistake by not having her have radiation after chemo. Three years later when it has returned in the scar tissue he said something like " I thought about doing that " Here in the BIG CITY it would have been done as it is the standard for treatment. Well I won't go into that more because it still upsets me terribly. Sharon -Frances Bartels wrote: Well, it looks like my onc agrees with you, ladies. I went in for chemo as scheduled. When he found out that the biopsy STILL hadn't been done he said, no biopsy, no chemo. My surgeon didn't think there'd be a problem, but the onc did. Biopsy is scheduled for Tuesday with first chemo Thursday. Wednesday is my hair appointment (buzz cut). I'm planning on getting a " bangs headband " and wear hats during the summer. Support group is also Wednesday. Friday I get a shot of, well I have to go get the sheet, --- it's the stuff that begins with an " l " and helps white blood count. So, more waiting . . . I would have never believed I would want a " routine " to start. I'm ready. -Frances M R Bartels ki0dz@... (((#))) ^ ^ http://www.RudolphsRabbitRanch.com Central Ohio | ^ - ^ Order Watkins Products www.watkinsonline.com ------- (o o) Internet for $11.99/month ^#092389^ |ooOoo| >{ | }< ^ http://1.connectto.net/?s_c=1005349607 ------- RRR)* --------------------------------- Talk is cheap. Use Yahoo! Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1ยข/min. Quote
Guest guest Posted June 23, 2006 Report Posted June 23, 2006 , PLEASE go and get a 2nd opinion. How can this doctor now say you need a mastectomy and a biopsy hasn't even been done?? No of this makes since what so ever. In a message dated 6/23/2006 4:36:53 PM Central Daylight Time, ki0dz@... writes: I thought some of this sounded a little strange as well. When I asked the surgeon about starting chemo before the biopsy and how that would effect treatment, she said that the treatment would be the same prior to the mastectomy, but that the biopsy results would help determine longtime treatment after that. Vicki K. Breast Cancer SURVIVOR --Dx'd 4-2005 Biopsy Dx'd 3-23-05 w/ 3 cm tumor Age 48 1/2 (turned 49 July) MRM 4-5-05 w/ 2 tumor's 5cm, and 6 cm (right side) 5+/16 nodes Stage 3 ER/PR-, Her2/neu ++ 3.42 confirmed by FISH ki67 78% Begin Chemo 5-2-05 4XAC Dose Dense , 4X Abraxane Dose Dense (ended August 05) 28 Rad's ended October 13 2005 Started Herceptin Weekly August 2005 for one year, will be done this August 2006. Had a Simple mastectomy left side after Mamo showed incresed micro-calcifications. Jan. 17 2006. Quote
Guest guest Posted June 23, 2006 Report Posted June 23, 2006 Wow, you ladies sure do not mince words! That's good because this is probably what I need right now. You are the ones with the experience, not I. I thought some of this sounded a little strange as well. When I asked the surgeon about starting chemo before the biopsy and how that would effect treatment, she said that the treatment would be the same prior to the mastectomy, but that the biopsy results would help determine longtime treatment after that. I know that AC is what is often given for chemo for breast cancer patients at the hospital; that's what I am scheduled for. Now, based on the responses in this thread I called my surgeon's office and asked how long it would take to get the results from the biopsy. The person who answered the phone said 48 hours, but the doctor would have to " sign off " on them before they would be faxed to the oncologist. 48 hours is about 4 hours too late for the beginning of chemo, so I left a message at the onc's office asking what I should do. I am asking them for transportation to the appointment and I don't want to inconvenience myself AND someone else if the chemo doesn't happen then. FWIW the hospital I am using is reportedly one of the better hospitals in the area, at least when talking with friends. I live in a semi-rural area and did NOT want to use the local hospital because I have heard bad things about it. So, I'm traveling to the city for treatment. I'll see what I can find out about my particular suite of doctors re: quality etc. Thanks for the " harsh words. " -Frances Quoting ssist@...: > So your " surgeon " recommended you start chemo without a biopsy...then you > show up at the " oncologist " for chemo and they say not without a biopsy...why > would they have scheduled you in the first place, which takes a lot > of planning > to begin with, if you hadn't met the oncologist to go over your > pathology of a > biopsy not performed yet? Now they're telling you have the biopsy and start > your chemo (2) days later, but cut your hair, join a support group ...ALL > before your biopsy results? > > There's something wrong here, and if " this " is what you're being " told, " I'd > find a whole new team of doctors who actually know what they are doing. How > do they know what " chemo " to start you on if A) they don't know if it's > cancer, and would have to see the pathology report to see what > chemo you'd best > respond to? > > (Girls, I'm sorry if this sounds " harsh, " but there have been situations > where things just " don't add up " with some of our members and we're > the ones who > get hurt in the long run...I'm just trying to add 1+1 and make 2 > here, and it's > not happening - watch it, girls) > > M R Bartels ki0dz@... (((#))) ^ ^ http://www.RudolphsRabbitRanch.com Central Ohio | ^ - ^ Order Watkins Products www.watkinsonline.com ------- (o o) Internet for $11.99/month ^#092389^ |ooOoo| >{ | }< ^ http://1.connectto.net/?s_c=1005349607 ------- RRR)* Quote
Guest guest Posted June 23, 2006 Report Posted June 23, 2006 I am right there with Ruth, . Besides, if we here cannot be say what is pertinent and important to us, who will? Hugs ruthiema36 wrote: Amen, ! You are not being harsh at all. We can not just blindly assume that what the doctors suggest is in our own best interest. I am one of those women and hate to think where I would be if I didn't advocate for myself. I had the BEST breast surgeon in the area and had to keep on top of him and the hospital to have a Her2 test done. We are the ones who care the most about us! Ruth > > So your " surgeon " recommended you start chemo without a biopsy...then you > show up at the " oncologist " for chemo and they say not without a biopsy...why > would they have scheduled you in the first place, which takes a lot of planning > to begin with, if you hadn't met the oncologist to go over your pathology of a > biopsy not performed yet? Now they're telling you have the biopsy and start > your chemo (2) days later, but cut your hair, join a support group ....ALL > before your biopsy results? > > There's something wrong here, and if " this " is what you're being " told, " I'd > find a whole new team of doctors who actually know what they are doing. How > do they know what " chemo " to start you on if A) they don't know if it's > cancer, and would have to see the pathology report to see what chemo you'd best > respond to? > > (Girls, I'm sorry if this sounds " harsh, " but there have been situations > where things just " don't add up " with some of our members and we're the ones who > get hurt in the long run...I'm just trying to add 1+1 and make 2 here, and it's > not happening - watch it, girls) > > > > > Quote
Guest guest Posted June 23, 2006 Report Posted June 23, 2006 , RUN DON'T WALK to another doctor. After my biopsy and diagnosis of invasive breast cancer stage 2, my breast surgeon told me I had 2 months from diagnosis in which to get ready for surgery, in my case a mastectomy. You have time, your prognosis won't change in the small amount of time it takes to get a second opinion. Nothing, absolutely, NOTHING should be done without a biopsy and path report. Ruth > > > > , PLEASE go and get a 2nd opinion. How can this doctor now say you need > a mastectomy and a biopsy hasn't even been done?? No of this makes since what > so ever. > > In a message dated 6/23/2006 4:36:53 PM Central Daylight Time, > ki0dz@... writes: > > I thought some of this sounded a little strange as well. When I > asked the surgeon about starting chemo before the biopsy and how that > would effect treatment, she said that the treatment would be the same > prior to the mastectomy, but that the biopsy results would help > determine longtime treatment after that. > > > > > Vicki K. > Breast Cancer SURVIVOR --Dx'd 4-2005 > Biopsy Dx'd 3-23-05 w/ 3 cm tumor Age 48 1/2 (turned 49 July) > > MRM 4-5-05 w/ 2 tumor's 5cm, and 6 cm (right side) > 5+/16 nodes > Stage 3 > ER/PR-, Her2/neu ++ 3.42 confirmed by FISH > ki67 78% > > Begin Chemo 5-2-05 4XAC Dose Dense , 4X Abraxane Dose Dense (ended August 05) > > 28 Rad's ended October 13 2005 > > Started Herceptin Weekly August 2005 for one year, will be done this August > 2006. > > Had a Simple mastectomy left side after Mamo showed incresed > micro-calcifications. Jan. 17 2006. > > > > Quote
Guest guest Posted June 23, 2006 Report Posted June 23, 2006 Quoting Sharon : > . I think I would really want a second opinion. This just all > seems out of " standard treatment " to me. There is nothing wrong > with getting a second opinion with something this serious. Do you mean a second opinion from another surgeon or oncologist? I'm assuming surgeon. My tumor is 8 cm in size, suspected lobular. I'm not saying I don't want a second opinion, but from what I've read, this is way too big to save the breast. Right? Anyway, I think I could find a surgeon for a second opinion from some of the onc's patients. There was a woman there yesterday who was singing the praises of her surgeon. I ran checks on all my docs at HealthGrades this afternoon and couldn't find anything remarkable there. Not sure exactly where else I can get info on them. Thanks for your input! -Frances M R Bartels ki0dz@... (((#))) ^ ^ http://www.RudolphsRabbitRanch.com Central Ohio | ^ - ^ Order Watkins Products www.watkinsonline.com ------- (o o) Internet for $11.99/month ^#092389^ |ooOoo| >{ | }< ^ http://1.connectto.net/?s_c=1005349607 ------- RRR)* Quote
Guest guest Posted June 23, 2006 Report Posted June 23, 2006 If this is an 8 cm cancerous tumor than you would probably have to have a mastectomy. I could even understand chemo first to shrink it to ensure clean margarines. That being said it is a mute point IF a biopsy has not been dome and analized by a pathologist. That is the first part of the puzzle. I had to have a mastectomy on a small breast because of a large tumor in relation to its size. Find the woman who was singing the prazes of her oncologist and get the name! Ruth > > Quoting Sharon : > > > . I think I would really want a second opinion. This just all > > seems out of " standard treatment " to me. There is nothing wrong > > with getting a second opinion with something this serious. > Do you mean a second opinion from another surgeon or oncologist? > I'm assuming surgeon. My tumor is 8 cm in size, suspected lobular. > I'm not saying I don't want a second opinion, but from what I've read, > this is way too big to save the breast. Right? Anyway, I think I > could find a surgeon for a second opinion from some of the onc's > patients. There was a woman there yesterday who was singing the > praises of her surgeon. > I ran checks on all my docs at HealthGrades this afternoon and > couldn't find anything remarkable there. Not sure exactly where else I > can get info on them. > Thanks for your input! > -Frances > M R Bartels ki0dz@... (((#))) ^ ^ > http://www.RudolphsRabbitRanch.com Central Ohio | ^ - ^ > Order Watkins Products www.watkinsonline.com ------- (o o) > Internet for $11.99/month ^#092389^ |ooOoo| >{ | }< > ^ http://1.connectto.net/?s_c=1005349607 ------- RRR)* > Quote
Guest guest Posted June 24, 2006 Report Posted June 24, 2006 This may be an unpopular opinion, but if I had a great grandmother in her 90s with Breast Cancer, I would tell the doctor to let her be and keep her comfortable. I cannot imagine a woman in her 90s having to go through a mastectomy axillery node disection and the healing after wards! I know how difficult it was for me, with just the sentinel node biopsy, and I am a lot younger Whether we like it or not we are all going to die of something, eventually. I watched my mother go through hell because my siblings would not allow the medications that would have kept her comfortable. There was no reasoning with them. I could barely stand to visit her the last 2 years of her life and felt nothing but relief when she passed at 88 years, 3 weeks after my mastectomy, while I was by her side. Ruth > > Barb Roy wrote: > , > > I did not think you intentionally meant any harm... I think I have an old record playing over and over in my head of my great-grandmother in her 90s complaining about her surgeon and how he wanted to take her breast. She yelled at him and called him a butcher. According to her, he was going to mutilate her body. I don't think he deserved that as he was genuinely concerned about her health. Quote
Guest guest Posted June 24, 2006 Report Posted June 24, 2006 Whether or not my great grandmother would have gone through it or not (and it was about 45 years ago) was certainly her decision (she was sharp as a tack until about the last year or so of her life), but I still don't think she needed to call the Dr a butcher. Barb Re: No Chemo Today This may be an unpopular opinion, but if I had a great grandmother in her 90s with Breast Cancer, I would tell the doctor to let her be and keep her comfortable. I cannot imagine a woman in her 90s having to go through a mastectomy axillery node disection and the healing after wards! I know how difficult it was for me, with just the sentinel node biopsy, and I am a lot younger Whether we like it or not we are all going to die of something, eventually. I watched my mother go through hell because my siblings would not allow the medications that would have kept her comfortable. There was no reasoning with them. I could barely stand to visit her the last 2 years of her life and felt nothing but relief when she passed at 88 years, 3 weeks after my mastectomy, while I was by her side. Ruth > > Barb Roy wrote: > , > > I did not think you intentionally meant any harm... I think I have an old record playing over and over in my head of my great-grandmother in her 90s complaining about her surgeon and how he wanted to take her breast. She yelled at him and called him a butcher. According to her, he was going to mutilate her body. I don't think he deserved that as he was genuinely concerned about her health. Quote
Guest guest Posted June 25, 2006 Report Posted June 25, 2006 In a message dated 6/24/2006 8:17:10 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, ruthiema36@... writes: if I had a great grandmother in her 90s with Breast Cancer, I would tell the doctor to let her be My mother refused treatment at 73. Having cancer again ended her battle with Parkinson's in a humane way.... She just went to sleep with the morphine drip. One of my best friends (named Ruth, by the way) is 86 and had a lumpectomy right after I had mine- She had a hard enough time with the simple surgery and did not do radiation or chemo. She joked...'Well, Hell, how long am I supposed to live? " Andree _www.essentialsoapsinc.com_ (http://www.essentialsoapsinc.com) Quote
Guest guest Posted June 25, 2006 Report Posted June 25, 2006 she didn't need to tell the dr to let her be.... after the way she treated him, he refused to treat her. if you knew my grandmother, you'd understand... very sharp tongue. She lived to be 96 and was sharp as a tack until about 94. Other than a broken hip (that was repaired) and arthritis, she was very healthy. She too went to sleep with a morphine drip... I don't know for sure but suspect it was the cancer that took her. Barb Re: No Chemo Today In a message dated 6/24/2006 8:17:10 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, ruthiema36@... writes: if I had a great grandmother in her 90s with Breast Cancer, I would tell the doctor to let her be My mother refused treatment at 73. Having cancer again ended her battle with Parkinson's in a humane way.... She just went to sleep with the morphine drip. One of my best friends (named Ruth, by the way) is 86 and had a lumpectomy right after I had mine- She had a hard enough time with the simple surgery and did not do radiation or chemo. She joked...'Well, Hell, how long am I supposed to live? " Andree _www.essentialsoapsinc.com_ (http://www.essentialsoapsinc.com) Quote
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