Home › Forums › WSB Reader Recommendations › Breast Cancer Evaluation?
- This topic is empty.
-
AuthorPosts
-
July 10, 2008 at 12:16 am #587451
mellaw6565MemberMy partner has been suffering from re-occurring infections that may be signs of breast cancer. She needs to see a specialist, but has not had a good experience getting an appt. at SCCA. Does anyone know of a great facility or provider that they trust for further diagnostics? Obviously we are worried and would like to get her seen as soon as possible.
July 10, 2008 at 12:27 am #630753
KayleighMemberIs her primary care doc referring?
July 10, 2008 at 12:34 am #630754
mellaw6565MemberWell, her primary said SCCA, but she’s called several times over the last few days and can’t get an appt. She has a PPO so she can choose where she goes. Just wondered if anyone has had good results with a provider in particular.
July 10, 2008 at 12:36 am #630755
SueParticipantMellaw, I’m sorry you’re dealing with that.
A friend of mine is a breast cancer survivor and has run the gamut of doctors/facilites – I’m sure she could recommend someone. Contact me through my website and I’ll put you in touch with her if you’d like.
On a personal note, I recently spent some time at the Swedish Cancer Institute for some tests (that were thankfully negative) and was very happy with the staff there. My primary care doctor had referred me there for the tests, but I did not see any particular provider there.
July 10, 2008 at 12:40 am #630756
mellaw6565MemberThanks Sue – yeah, I more worried about it than I let her know (she doesn’t read the blogs). I just want to make sure that she has the best care and evaluations possible (so far breast MRI’s are negative, but since it is a duct infection it could be inflammatory breast cancer). I want to be as supportive as I can. She’s my soulmate.
July 10, 2008 at 12:53 am #630757
jMemberSo sorry to hear that. I recently went through removal of tumors in my breast, thankfully non-cancerous, but the radiologist made me feel like I had breast cancer. I went through the Northwest Breast Associates at Overlake. Had a wonderful experience with them. My surgeon, Dr. Kristi Harrington, was excellent. She helped me through the process and gave me hope. She even called me at 8pm on a Friday night to tell me the results of the biopsies. Being 26, it was the scariest thing I’ve ever gone through. I am sending you positive thoughts during this horrendous process.
July 10, 2008 at 12:56 am #630758
mellaw6565MemberThanks for the support J – glad to hear everything went great with you. I will take note of the info and pass it on:)
And yes, it is scary but I believe in the power of positive thinking as well (plus a little help from the higher powers).
July 10, 2008 at 2:04 am #630759
JanSParticipantmellaw6565. I’m a 3+ year BC survivor. My surgeon, who is one of the top in Seattle, is Dr. Patricia Dawson. She is kind, empathetic, thorough. Her office is on the 3rd floor of the 1600 Jefferson Tower next to Providence/Swedish Cherry Hill campus at 16th and Jefferson. She has a wonderful reputation in this city. My oncologist shares space with her. There is also a Swedish Breast Center on that floor. It’s like a one stop, take care of all place :)
If you want to talk, just click on my name, and look at my contact info…gives my e-mail and phone #.
July 10, 2008 at 4:07 am #630760
TheVelvetBulldogMembermellaw – I say GET ON THE PHONE. Call Swedish, Call Providence (my mum was also treated by JanS’ Dr. Dawson and she was great!) Call Virginia Mason. Or, JUST SHOW UP. Don’t let people give you the brush-off. This is serious stuff and not getting an appointment immediately is not acceptable. Be pushy if you have to, but get an appointment wherever you can as soon as you can. If nothing else, peace of mind will be worth it.
July 10, 2008 at 4:10 am #630761
JanSParticipantTVB, I totally agree…the sooner it’s caught, the better.. And, yes, if it’s nothing, then peace of mind. It’s invaluable.
July 10, 2008 at 4:57 am #630762
SueParticipantI had called that Swedish Breast Center where Jan went – I was due for my annual mammogram, but a CT scan suggested I get a mammogram ASAP because of something that looked like lymphoma in the scan. I called them at 4pm for the appointment and told them what the scan said, and they had me come in the next day at 7:30am for my mammogram – no kidding around with them. I was amazed how fast they turned that around.
And I agree with TVB about showing up if necessary. My primary care dr. back east would tell me they had no appointments available when I’d call with an urgent need. Instead I’d just show up and they somehow found a way to fit me in.
July 10, 2008 at 5:03 pm #630763
emilyMemberMellaw-
Try Dr. Darlene Barr (215-3500) in the Heath Bldg, right next to Swedish on First Hill. My partner had both of her mastectomies with her and she is a top knotch physican. She is very knowledgable and caring, not just one of those surgeons with no bedside manner. Also, she’s a lesbian. (I’m assuming you are a woman!) :)
Whoever you see, explain the situation when you call. They should be able to fit you & your partner in immediately.
Good luck!
July 10, 2008 at 6:44 pm #630764
mellaw6565MemberThanks Ladies – my partner called Swedish Breast Center this morning and has an appt. on Monday. We’re keeping our fingers crossed!
July 10, 2008 at 7:05 pm #630765
JanSParticipantLet your partner know that I’ll be with her in thoughts on Monday. I hate this disease, and hope that everything turns out negative for her.
July 12, 2008 at 3:52 am #630766
MyJourneyMemberI am a 33 year old Newbie Survivor. I luckily went to the Seattle Comprehensive Breast Center, and found out indeed my little lump is breast cancer. Swedish is the way I would go for everything. We have some incredible Doctors scattered in all directions in this city. If you want to check out my blog, I have been keeping a detailed one since I was diagnosed. It is:
July 12, 2008 at 7:06 am #630767
JanSParticipantheather…I’m real curious who your oncologist is. Mine is a teddy bear, just love him. I even stop in to see the staff when I’m just passing by.And there’s always, always something good to eat there. No, you don’t lose weight on that kind of a diet – lol. I always thought that, hey, one good thing from chemo would be the loss of a few lbs. Unfortunately, not so :( <sigh>
July 12, 2008 at 6:54 pm #630768
mellaw6565MemberThanks again to all for their continued support. She has an appt. with Dr. Christine Lee at Swedish. Apparently she has a good reputation.
I’m curious – did anyone else who has gone thru this have normal mammograms?
July 12, 2008 at 8:09 pm #630769
JanSParticipantmellaw…I didn’t have IBC..just the regular kind. I never, ever felt a lump. I had a routine mammo, and these little spots showed up. On further examination, and the most interesting biopsy procedure, it was confirmed that I indeed had cancer in two spots – one was infiltrating, about 3.5 cm., the other was in the duct, hadn’t infiltrated yet, was 4 cm. Not small..and I never felt a thing on self examination.
I think with inflammatory breast cancer, mammos might not show it..just my theory.I think perhaps more women notice an “infection” of sorts, and often are misdiagnosed. Have you seen the KOMO video on IBC that’s now on youTube? very informative..
oh, and for future reference, they are now officially called mammoslams :)
July 12, 2008 at 9:12 pm #630770
AnonymousInactiveMellaw, Just want to add my support for the stress you’re going through. My partner has fibrous tissue and almost every mammo shows a suspicious lump that needs a biopsy. The not knowing is the worst. Her mom is a BC survivor after a mastectomy and chemo, so the genetic fear is always there as well.
We use Swedish, and you’re in good hands. Literally. They treat us as a team and let me be involved in every part of the process.
Continue to share your fears and concerns, and we’ll continue to keep both of you in our thoughts.
July 12, 2008 at 9:41 pm #630771
MyJourneyMemberJan,
I have not wanted to share who my Oncologist or my Surgeon is for the simple reason is that my blog is being viewed by sooo many people and there are so many FANTASTIC Doc’s in this city. My blog glorifies my Doc’s and I do not want other Doc’s in this city to not be glorified. If anyone wants to know who mine are, you can contact me through my blog, which has my email address on it and I will be happy to email you back.
http://www.heathersjourneytohealth.blogspot.com
Cheers to, I FOUND MY LUMP!!
Heather
July 13, 2008 at 10:05 pm #630772
JanSParticipantHeather, yes, cheers to that, especially since that’s probably the only defense for women your age. I keep wondering if they will change the age of mammogram “requirements”, since so many women are being diagnosed with BC earlier and earlier in their lives., and because they are improving the mammogram itself thru technology. My daughter is 27, and yes, I worry about her. I know I’ve talked with her about self-exam, but she’s 27, and I’m not there to browbeat her about it :)
July 14, 2008 at 7:41 pm #630773
MyJourneyMemberPlease read my blog, about Mammograms or Ultrasound. My mammo showed NOTHING! I luckily got an ultrasound, in the same appointement and that is what showed the tumor. Mammo’s are useless for young women! Our breast tissue is denser than older boobies! Check it out:
July 14, 2008 at 8:49 pm #630774
JanSParticipantlol…older boobies…shhhh…we’re not supposed to tell ;-)
July 14, 2008 at 11:48 pm #630775
shadowpilotMemberMellaw6565, How did it go today? I have been thinking of you both.
July 15, 2008 at 1:59 am #630776
JanSParticipantI’ve been wondering , too. Hope the answers were good ones..
-
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.