kukla Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 Denise I can't beliieve what you are going through! It's hard enough dealing with all of the docs and the run around for our hubbies, now you have to do it for yourself! I would cross more but my belly is in the way... Anyway, fingers and toes crossed for you, and hugs and prayers coming your way.... Benign has such a nice ring to it, at least you've crossed one hurdle already! I'm sure your doc is just being cautious. Take care of YOU! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyman35 Posted March 12, 2009 Author Share Posted March 12, 2009 Tomorrow will be the 12th, 5 business days since I was told I was getting a referral to see the breast specialist and I still have no order and referral in hand. I have left messages and have not received any call backs. I am going to stop at the PCP's office in the morning and stage a sit in until I get it. This is my body and peace of mind we are talking about here. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!! Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shineladysue Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 (((Denise))), I don't blame you. That is inexcusable . It really bothers me that people have to be so involved in their own health care. Don't stop til you get what you need... Let us know. Hugs, Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyman35 Posted March 12, 2009 Author Share Posted March 12, 2009 BY JOVE I'VE GOT IT!!! I showed up at the doc's at 8 a.m. because that is when they were supposed to open. They finally opened the doors at 8:45 a.m. I stated my case and complained about the 5 business day wait time. It turns out that this was ready on Tuesday and the referral girl was out yesterday so it just sat on her desk. I walked out of there with my referral. I have an appt on Monday at 3:30 p.m. It's funny how thing turn out. I knew I had my first mammogram approx 7-8 years ago at another hospital when I was with a different doctor. I was going to go to that hospital and request copies of that first mamm as that was my baseline. Back then I was sent to a specialist to check on something that was related to the right breast. When I called to make the appt they ask me my name and birthdate. They say that I have been there before back in 2002. How funny that the new doctor is sending me to the same place as the first. I believe now that I will not have to go get copies of anything as they still have me on record. I am very happy that I got such a quick appt. I shall post another update Monday as to what Dr. Rao says. Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb73 Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 You keep going, girl. By George, you DO have it. Keep that proactiveness going. Is there such a word? Well, now there is. Barbara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patti B Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 Good for you, Denise. Ain't it a shame we have to go thru this crap????? Hugs - Patti B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shineladysue Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 Denise, so sorry you have had to go through so much to get where you are, but you are doing it... Will be looking for your update on Monday. Hugs, Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LovesLife Posted March 12, 2009 Share Posted March 12, 2009 Denise - I'm not sure how I missed this whole post before (we'll just blame it on old age!) Anyhow, glad to see that being your own advocate helped you get your appointment quicker than if you had just waited by the phone. Way to go!!! BTW, I have fibrous breasts - just means they are lumpy (not as easy to do self-exams and I typically have to have an ultrasound every year on one of my girls - it always turns out to be fibrocystic tissue and just fine). I will praying for the same result for you on Monday. Great update on Tom too! Linda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrea Posted March 13, 2009 Share Posted March 13, 2009 You are an awesome advocate!!!! I hope this is all a scare. I have had a few scares like that with the boobs and waiting is no fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyman35 Posted March 13, 2009 Author Share Posted March 13, 2009 Me being me I had to stop on the way home at the other hospital and get the films of my 2002 mammogram. The one does say first mammogram on the written report so I guess this is a good baseline. In reading the '02 report it is similar in areas. Admitting dx was Right Breast Mass. I remember the doc saying at that time that he thought he felt something. There are benign appearing calcifications bilaterally. Suggestion of lump in spots-right upper outer quadrant. Assesment incomplete - Need additional imaging evaluation. Recommendation - Ultrasound examination of the right breast, upper outer quadrant. I remember seeing the specialist but I never did have an ultrasound. I wish I could remember the conversation with the specialist 7 years ago. But since I don't have that good a memory I am clueless as to why nothing further was done. I guess I will know more on Monday. Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kukla Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 Good luck tomorrow! It is scary reading the reports, they always sound so gloom and doom. I have calcifications in both breasts and very dense tissue. I've had fibroids before as well. I ask for the same radiologist to read my films each year so there is continuity in the review. Sometimes I have to wait a few days for the report, but I think it makes for better health care. Ain't it a shame that in our advanced society you have the be the squeaky wheel to get the best care?!!! You are doing an awesome job, I know it's tiring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandraL Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 Hi Denise. I just wanted to send you my best wishes for tomorrow. Take care Sandra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muriel Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 Me, too. We'll be waiting for an update. Muriel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patti B Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Me three, Denise!!!! Got everything crossed for ya!! Hugs - Patti B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb73 Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Denise, Just letting you know that I am in line and waiting for you to update. Holding onto positive vibes here. Barbara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyman35 Posted March 16, 2009 Author Share Posted March 16, 2009 Thank you ladies. I am about to leave now to go to my appt. I will update tonight. Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyman35 Posted March 17, 2009 Author Share Posted March 17, 2009 The specialist was also confused by the various written reports. The mam was normal but she has pain so do an ultrasound. The ultrasound is fine so do an MRI because she has pain. They are making me crazy he says. Soooooo.....The "breast specialist" is going to consult with the "radiology specialist" and in their "specialist opinion" will determine if I will have a BSGI (Breast Specific Gamma Imaging) test versus an MRI. It is suppose to be equivalent to an MRI but much less expensive and you don't have to go through the tube. It is newer so it has not made it's way into the health system as "THE" test yet. It is a nuclear medicine test. They shoot you full of a tracing agent that goes to any cancer cells kinda like a PET scan. (The Dilon 6800 Gamma Camera, optimized for molecular breast imaging, provides metabolic information about the health of breast tissue not available from other imaging modalities. An ideal diagnostic complement to mammography for the early detection of breast cancer, Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI) with the Dilon 6800, has been performed on over 50,000 patients in both hospitals and private imaging centers nationwide, helping to provide faster, more accurate results.) In doing the breast exam he said that I was hard to evaluate because the right breast which is the problem is more fibrous and lumpier than the left. He did another mini ultra sound in the office and he doesn't seem to think there is anything to worry about though. Since I have had 2 direct family members with cancer, my grandfather and my mother and the doc says mother trumps grandfather, I am to call him tomorrow or Wednesday and find out if I will have this test. If they determine that I don't need it he says "I still want to see you back in 6 months just because I am an a$$." I think I like this guy. For anyone who want's more info on BSGI go to http://www.dilon.com/ So it's another wait a few more days scenario. Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowflake Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Um, not to state the obvious, but maybe you have pain because someone put your boob in a VISE and cranked it down to pancake thickness? Want syrup with those, honey? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb73 Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Thank you, Denise, for the update...AND the information about the newer testing (BSGI). It's always helpful to learn the latest and the jargon. When Snowflake mentioned the pancake device, it made me laugh . That machine reminds me of a medieval torture. Barbara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fillise Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Denise--I'm thinking this sounds like pretty good news. If they do the new test it will be out of an abundance of caution, but it sounds like everything else looks normal. Susan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyman35 Posted March 17, 2009 Author Share Posted March 17, 2009 So the specialist called me personally and said he had talked to the radiology specialist and they both agreed that there was nothing to really worry about. Then he asked what my level of concern was. Huh?!! Did the specialist just ask me for my opinion?!! I told him unless he can guarantee me 100% without a doubt on my 6 month follow up that he won't say OOPS there really was something there then I want the test. He said okay I will write an order and you will have the test. OMG!!! Did I just order my own test? BOO YEA!!!! Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patti B Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Hey Denise- Better to be safe than sorry!!! Hopefully all this will be over with soon!! Hugs - Patti B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb73 Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 You ordered your own test. Way to Go. Yes, with no 100% guarantees, it's best to test. Barbara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyman35 Posted March 18, 2009 Author Share Posted March 18, 2009 My BSGI appt is tentatively set for April 6th. It has to be done in the right time of the cycle or it interferes with the imaging. Since my cycles are so messed up I have this appt that I may have to move. I just missed my window of opportunity by 5 days. It could be another 2 months before it comes again. Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb73 Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 ((Denise)) I know that it must be very frustrating to have missed the window, but it will get done, and you will have an insurance that you have been thorough. Rooting for you to keep that fortitude going, Barbara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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