An Explosion of Information

About My Blog
If you like what you've read so far, and want to read future posts, you can subscribe to the blog so that you're updated when new entries are published. Also, please feel free to share the blog with anyone who might benefit from the information. 


The Second Opinion
Once I had my initial diagnosis, several good friends (and their friends, and so on) had recommendations for treatment and physicians. One recommended oncologist was mentioned twice by people who don't know each other, so I thought I'd check that one out. Even the surgeon who diagnosed me said that Dr. P. was great, and that I'd be in good hands. When I called, I was super lucky that there was a cancellation, and I was able to get in just a few days later. 


Dr. P. is with a hospital about 45 minutes away, but I felt that a little extra driving was a small price to pay for good care. I wasn't disappointed -- I liked her right away. She is very intelligent, but speaks in detail at a level my husband and I could understand. She also sat down and made herself comfortable in the exam room, prepared to talk at length. It always bothers me when I feel like a doctor has one foot out the door throughout the visit, so I was glad not to have that experience with Dr. P. She used phrases like "quarterbacking" my care, "expecting" certain results from treatment, etc. She really put me at ease. 


She was also very thorough. Not only did she answer all my questions, she laid out next steps and gave me a good idea of what to expect from here. She mentioned a number of additional tests she wanted me to have, and said that she wanted the hospital's own people to go over my scans and pathology slides to make sure they agree with the diagnosis. I wouldn't have even thought to ask for that!


On the spot, Dr. P. got me a quick visit with a recommended surgeon, and so I got both of their assessments that day. I had a good feeling about the hospital and its practitioners, so I made the choice to continue with them. 


Again, I was not disappointed. The very next day, my phone rang all day with both the surgeon's and the oncologist's offices setting up appointments for testing, asking me questions, and getting records requests completed to get the original scans and diagnostic materials. I was to get a bone scan, CT scan, lymph node biopsy and echocardiogram within the upcoming week. 


The Lymph Node Biopsy
Most of the ensuing tests were no big deal, but I wasn't looking forward to another ultrasound-guided biopsy. I figured it would be a lot like the biopsy of my lump, except that the lymph node in question was up under my left arm. I was afraid that would be uncomfortable, and it was! Not that it hurt more, but I was tense and nervous that I would be jumpy during the procedure. The doctor numbed the area, just like the first biopsy. I had to hold my arm up out of the way while the small incision was made, and the doctor went in with the extraction device that would remove small samples of cells. The tension, the awkward position I had to hold, and the fact that I hadn't eaten all day ganged up on me then, and the next time one of the nurses asked how I was doing, I said I felt faint. In no time I had cold cloths and ice packs on my forehead and neck. That helped a lot. 


The doctor and nurses during this procedure were so professional and caring, I felt compelled to fill out their comment card saying so. 


P.S. The lymph node biopsy was positive (which is negative!). :((


NEXT ENTRIES: Telling the Family, The First Chemo Treatment, How Do I FEEL?