Well, it's a different day.......

[Guest guest]

I had two doctor appointments today. One with Dr. Kahil, my

oncologist and also Dr. Mangus, my surgeon. I was soooooooooooo glad

that I consulted with Dr. Kahil. He made things so simple and gave

me things very direct and to the point. I don't think that I will

ever have to wonder what he means. There was only one thing that

bothered me. My husband went with me to the appointment. Dr. Kahil

occasionally would make eye contact with me but 90% of the time, his

eye contact was with my husband. I began to get perturbed when he

starting talking about her options or she will need type stuff, as if

I wasn't there. I took about two minutes of that! When Dr. Kahil

said to my husband that she could need chemotherapy, I turned to my

husband and said that I was glad he was getting the chemo instead of

me. I then turned to Dr. Kahil and told him that when he and my

husband decided that I was part of the conversation, I would be glad

to listen to him. I was about ready to get up and leave when he

apologized. I don't think he realized that I am in charge of my

health care. My husband is there for support.

I was glad to have the information he provided. I will have the

mastectomy on December 11. Unless there is cancer in the sentinental

node and/or other lymph glands, I probably will not need radiation or

chemotherapy, and only will be on Tamoxi (sp?) or some sort of

combination of " cousins " of that drug for some time. I was really

encouraged after this visit as was my hubby. The lymph nodes will be

the unknown until surgery is done. I only have one lesion with a

small tumor.

After consulting and asking tons of questions with my surgeon, Dr.

Mangus, I decided to have breast reconstruction. That will happen

following the mastectomy. That day of December 11, will be about 6-8

hours of surgery. No radiation and possibly no chemotherapy.

By the way, Dr. Kahil is one of three doctors that developed the

porta-cath for cancer patients. He currently working on a medical

device to deliver chemotherapy directly to the liver for those people

living with liver cancer. He is an interesting person and very

knowledgable about cancer.

He told me that 80% of American women prefer to have mastectomy over

lumpectomies. 80% of Canadian women prefer to hve lumpectomies over

mastectomies. I asked him why that was. He said that American women

want cancer gone. Canadian women are more apt to take the 6% chance

that cancer will return and then do mastectomies.

Things don't look quite as bleak today after receiving so much

valuable information. I know that surgery and the days following

that will difficult. I am not naive. However, I do know that this

cancer is beatable. My surgery date of December 11 is D Day,

according to the calendar. That is the day that the Allied Forces

went into Europe with a battle plan to win and did in fact have

victory. God willing, that is the way that I am approaching December

11 surgery.

I pray that each and every one of you Steele Magnolias on this

website will have good days in the days to come. I don't know what I

would do without you. Take care.

[Guest guest]

He is from Lebanon. He is really a great doctor to explain. He just needed to

be reminded who the patient is. My husband really found it humorous. So did I.

Jan K

wrote:

I am glad that you feel informed after your doctor's visit.

If Dr. Kahil is from south Asia (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, etc.) then the

talking to your husband thing was probably cultural. We have visited that area

and I am always caught alittle off guard when I take my husband anywhere - even

shopping for my clothing or to a restaurant - and everyone talks to him and not

me, about what I want. He may have just slipped into a natural cultural role for

him without thinking too much about it. Good for you for reminding him.

[Guest guest]

He is from Lebanon. He is really a great doctor to explain. He just needed to

be reminded who the patient is. My husband really found it humorous. So did I.

Jan K

wrote:

I am glad that you feel informed after your doctor's visit.

If Dr. Kahil is from south Asia (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, etc.) then the

talking to your husband thing was probably cultural. We have visited that area

and I am always caught alittle off guard when I take my husband anywhere - even

shopping for my clothing or to a restaurant - and everyone talks to him and not

me, about what I want. He may have just slipped into a natural cultural role for

him without thinking too much about it. Good for you for reminding him.

[Guest guest]

He is from Lebanon. He is really a great doctor to explain. He just needed to

be reminded who the patient is. My husband really found it humorous. So did I.

Jan K

wrote:

I am glad that you feel informed after your doctor's visit.

If Dr. Kahil is from south Asia (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, etc.) then the

talking to your husband thing was probably cultural. We have visited that area

and I am always caught alittle off guard when I take my husband anywhere - even

shopping for my clothing or to a restaurant - and everyone talks to him and not

me, about what I want. He may have just slipped into a natural cultural role for

him without thinking too much about it. Good for you for reminding him.