My adventures with my medical care continues to wear on my patience. As I said in my last post, I had gone to my family doctor and asked when I should start getting mammograms, and she signed me up. When the radiologist ok'd me to get one, what happens? I get called back for more scans- a diagnostic mammogram.
The diagnostic mammogram was yesterday. A different woman did more pictures of the one area that needed more looking into. The radiologist looked at them and had me get an ultrasound. The ultrasound tech took pictures and said the radiologist would be in and look for himself and tell you what is happening. So I'm lying there, in a room with only one dimly lit bulb on and the hum of the ultrasound machine. It took 10 minutes or so, and in Dr. Cobb came. He checked my spot and told me the following.
Every woman has calcifications in their breasts. It shows up on mammograms as white, as mine did. Dr. Cobb explained that calcifications can look different- cancer has a certain shape, as does benign. Mine is somewhere in the middle (lucky me). He looked at it with the ultra sound and decided that it may be benign, but to make sure, he recommends that I have a biopsy of it. His words- "if you were my sister... I would want you to be checked." I started crying right then and there. The ultrasound tech put her hand on me to comfort me, the dearest young lady, which I was grateful. Dr. Cobb then told me that he was sending this information to my family doctor and that I would need to make a decision as to where to have it done and to think about what procedure I might want- a needle biopsy (less invasive) or a more invasive surgical procedure where they cut the calcification out and check it. He also said that wherever I have it done, the doctor would look over the scans and offer a second opinion. Dr. Cobb said that I should get a call from my family doctor within 24 hrs as to what is happening next. I got a call late yesterday from the doctor who is covering for my doctor (have I lost you yet?) asking if I have a preference where to have it done and I told him where I live and work, but that pretty much I'd go wherever they send me. He told me the office would call me with information as to where I'd be sent. Whew.
So that was yesterday.
Today, I called my family doctor around 11:20 to find out what is going on and because my cell phone (which is the number they like to contact me on) does not work at school. The folks told me that my information was sent to the Breast Care Clinic at Fletcher Allen Hospital (the largest hospital in Vermont...) The clinic was to call me, but the nurse gave me the clinic's number so I could call them first. I did, and they hadn't received my records that had just been sent a half hour prior, but she took down my information and told me the procedure that they do at the clinic. The radiologist at the clinic views all my scans and makes a decision (second opinion) either 1- I do have a biopsy, 2- I don't have a biopsy/don't need it, or 3- more scans need to be done. The receptionist called me back a little while later (while we were doing our daily language practice this afternoon) and told me they (the clinic) has received all my scans and info and that the radiologist will be making a decision before Friday. *Gulp* I said ok.... What else can you say, right?
I want you all to know how well Porter Medical Center has treated me and how professional and courteous they are. They don't always get raving reviews, but I want my two cents out there (for what it's worth) that they're ok in my book. They helped me through some tough times- 2 dog bites, infection, cyst, dislocated knee, and my mother and father's health, too.
Again, I could use some prayers for peace of mind- not jumping to worst-case-scenario conclusions. Please and thank you. God CERTAINLY is teaching me a great deal of patience....
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