1. < Breast Cancer

Breast surgeon questions

Posted by whyme2023 @whyme2023, Mar 16, 2023

I just got my diagnosis yesterday (DCIS, R breast); awaiting a call to schedule the breast surgeon consultation; during the diagnosis call I got a lot of overwhelming info but I think I’m clear on next steps. Since I’m young, 53 and in good health, praying this will be a somewhat routine process - surgery and radiation 🤞(no maternal family history); I know we are all different but being optimistic is the best approach in my opinion. My question is, are there specific questions I should ask the surgeon during the consultation?

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celica | @celica | Mar 24, 2023
In reply to @whyme2023 "UPDATE - I had my consultation yesterday and got a lot of questions answered. I feel..." + (show)
@whyme2023

UPDATE - I had my consultation yesterday and got a lot of questions answered. I feel very good about the plan and am eager to see the results of the genetic testing and MRI (obviously praying for nothing more serious than the calcification that currently appears).
Here’s the treatment plan:
1 - genetic testing (bloodwork sent yesterday)
2 - PreHab (occupational therapy - learn exercises to avoid complications in R arm after surgery) scheduled for Monday
3 - MRI - scheduled after insurance preauthorization is received for MRI and surgery
4 - Surgery (lumpectomy planned unless something more serious is found in MRI)
5 - Radiation (3-5 weeks depending on what’s found in MRI)
6 - Meds - anti- estrogen
Surgeon doesn’t expect much/if anything to change to this plan unless of course the genetic testing and MRI reveal something she can’t see or is t aware of currently.
Fingers crossed - feel free to offer follow up suggestions if you think there are other things I need to know or ask.

Thanks for all the support. 🙏

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Mine about the same
I had an Onocotype test
And 5 radiation
Lumpectomy both breasts nodes negative I’m a 2 B bc if the size of the one tumour
Your calcifications r cancerous ?
I have calcifications but that’s what they just are - no cancer just calcifications

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1 reply
whyme2023 | @whyme2023 | Mar 24, 2023
In reply to @celica "Mine about the same I had an Onocotype test And 5 radiation Lumpectomy both breasts nodes..." + (show)
@celica

Mine about the same
I had an Onocotype test
And 5 radiation
Lumpectomy both breasts nodes negative I’m a 2 B bc if the size of the one tumour
Your calcifications r cancerous ?
I have calcifications but that’s what they just are - no cancer just calcifications

Jump to this post

Yes, my calcifications are cancerous. Did you have 5 radiation sessions or 5 WEEKS of radiation (5 days a week)? How was the radiation? Any tips for skincare?

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1 reply
windsurfer7 | @windsurfer7 | Mar 25, 2023
In reply to @roch "The biggest question is lumpectomy vs mastectomy? Any lymph node effected? If possible, have a friend..." + (show)
@roch

The biggest question is lumpectomy vs mastectomy? Any lymph node effected?
If possible, have a friend / family member on call. Two sets of ears better then one.

Check out these two web site for possible questions.

First is two page list of questions that are good starting point:
https://www.komen.org/wp-content/uploads/QTAD-Breast-Cancer-Surgery-KO0520-FINAL-3-17-HR.pdf

This website has longer list of questions:
https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/breast-cancer/questions-ask-health-care-team

Laurie

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Those cover the topics that eventually came up on their own in my situation...great resources to have ahead of time! Thank you for sharing.

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kellyc14 | @kellyc14 | Mar 25, 2023

Kudos to you @whyme2023 for gathering so much info prior to surgery from this great group. I didn’t stumble upon this forum until after my treatment was complete. I had DCIS, stage 0, surgery (twice- two different surgeons/hospital systems) , followed by radiation. I followed similar suggested path to what you are planning.
The biggest thing I would say is, like any doctor, be sure you are 100% comfortable with your surgery team. While I was nervous going into my first surgery, I had a really bad feeling that day about everything and it got worse with each person I met (nurses, anesthesiologist, etc.) I should have trusted my instincts. My sister was with me that day - she said the same thing- everyone (all patients) treated like an inconvenience. We also felt ill-informed and as if they were springing info on us last minute. I know that there is a 10+% chance the margins won’t be clear in any lumpectomy but of course that was me. My surgeon had zero empathy for the situation. I changed hospital systems and surgeons immediately.
Best decision I ever made. I don’t doubt the medical ability of my first team, but the experience was 1000% better in every way at the 2nd system.
I wish you a speedy recovery and peace in all of your decisions. Trust your gut. 🙂

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1 reply
whyme2023 | @whyme2023 | Mar 25, 2023
In reply to @kellyc14 "Kudos to you @whyme2023 for gathering so much info prior to surgery from this great group...." + (show)
@kellyc14

Kudos to you @whyme2023 for gathering so much info prior to surgery from this great group. I didn’t stumble upon this forum until after my treatment was complete. I had DCIS, stage 0, surgery (twice- two different surgeons/hospital systems) , followed by radiation. I followed similar suggested path to what you are planning.
The biggest thing I would say is, like any doctor, be sure you are 100% comfortable with your surgery team. While I was nervous going into my first surgery, I had a really bad feeling that day about everything and it got worse with each person I met (nurses, anesthesiologist, etc.) I should have trusted my instincts. My sister was with me that day - she said the same thing- everyone (all patients) treated like an inconvenience. We also felt ill-informed and as if they were springing info on us last minute. I know that there is a 10+% chance the margins won’t be clear in any lumpectomy but of course that was me. My surgeon had zero empathy for the situation. I changed hospital systems and surgeons immediately.
Best decision I ever made. I don’t doubt the medical ability of my first team, but the experience was 1000% better in every way at the 2nd system.
I wish you a speedy recovery and peace in all of your decisions. Trust your gut. 🙂

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So sorry to hear of problems with your first experience. This is the type of thing that we need to feel comfortable and cared for at every turn. So glad the second go round was much better. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and may you be happy and healthy going forward 🙏🥰

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celica | @celica | Mar 25, 2023
In reply to @whyme2023 "Yes, my calcifications are cancerous. Did you have 5 radiation sessions or 5 WEEKS of radiation..." + (show)
@whyme2023

Yes, my calcifications are cancerous. Did you have 5 radiation sessions or 5 WEEKS of radiation (5 days a week)? How was the radiation? Any tips for skincare?

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I haven’t gone yet
I have my 3rd appt with the Dr next week. I lost the bld supply to my L breast during surgery; developed a postop infection and getting my areola packed - such a slow recovery
Fr what I understand it’ll be 5 sessions total
It might be an option that The Dr
Just Might do the right breast first?
I have a friend who has a recipe for her cream she used with her radiation
I’ll share it with y when I get it
God bless us

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1 reply
whyme2023 | @whyme2023 | Mar 25, 2023
In reply to @celica "I haven’t gone yet I have my 3rd appt with the Dr next week. I lost..." + (show)
@celica

I haven’t gone yet
I have my 3rd appt with the Dr next week. I lost the bld supply to my L breast during surgery; developed a postop infection and getting my areola packed - such a slow recovery
Fr what I understand it’ll be 5 sessions total
It might be an option that The Dr
Just Might do the right breast first?
I have a friend who has a recipe for her cream she used with her radiation
I’ll share it with y when I get it
God bless us

Jump to this post

Wishing you all the best on this journey. Stay positive and know that the wonderful women here are super supportive and have already helped me SO much. Take care!

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kellyc14 | @kellyc14 | Mar 25, 2023

@whyme2023 I did want to mention also that my radiation oncologists suggested combo of clear pure aloe gel (not green) and aquaphor during radiation. I used the gel religiously- aquaphor on my scar (too much else was so messy) - but also Active Skin Repair gel w the aloe. I happened upon this stuff by accident and ended up with no damage to skin during treatment. Hope this helps.

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2 replies
whyme2023 | @whyme2023 | Mar 25, 2023
In reply to @kellyc14 "@whyme2023 I did want to mention also that my radiation oncologists suggested combo of clear pure..." + (show)
@kellyc14

@whyme2023 I did want to mention also that my radiation oncologists suggested combo of clear pure aloe gel (not green) and aquaphor during radiation. I used the gel religiously- aquaphor on my scar (too much else was so messy) - but also Active Skin Repair gel w the aloe. I happened upon this stuff by accident and ended up with no damage to skin during treatment. Hope this helps.

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Kellyc14 - THANK YOU!! I’ll stick up on both! I appreciate it 🙏

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healinhand | @healinhand | Mar 26, 2023
In reply to @kellyc14 "@whyme2023 I did want to mention also that my radiation oncologists suggested combo of clear pure..." + (show)
@kellyc14

@whyme2023 I did want to mention also that my radiation oncologists suggested combo of clear pure aloe gel (not green) and aquaphor during radiation. I used the gel religiously- aquaphor on my scar (too much else was so messy) - but also Active Skin Repair gel w the aloe. I happened upon this stuff by accident and ended up with no damage to skin during treatment. Hope this helps.

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I used Miaderm on my wife. They also make it with lidocaine. We used that immediately after treatment. she did well.

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