Medical Update

At the September 16 appointment, Dr. O reviewed the prior test results and Dr. Patel’s case notes. We need the parameters of the tumor so the surgeon will know how much to remove in order to attain negative margins (to assure no remaining cancerous tissue). When I told him I planned to have a total/double mastectomy, he confirmed that there was no need for more chemo at this time. If, after surgery and an examination of the lymph nodes, more chemo is needed, he will determine duration and type of chemo. (Apparently, HE is running the show!) If the lymph nodes are clear and no additional chemo is necessary, the next step is radiation (required because of the size of the tumor).

The lump in the right breast appears to be much smaller since the chemo, but “the thing” in the left breast had not appeared to shrink significantly. He assured me that this shrinkage did not indicate a cancer in the right breast as well. The tumor remains about the same at approximately 6 cm, but Dr. O says the tissue has become more ‘spongy’, indicating that it was ‘softening up’. It was Dr. O’s opinion that the smart course of action was to remove the breasts; have the radiation and reconstruction if desired.

I am scheduled for an ultrasound and mammogram on September 21. Both Dr. O and Dr. T (the surgeon) will get the test results to review prior to my surgery.

Visit with Dr. O on September 16, 2009

This was Janet’s first visit with the oncologist, Dr. O after the departure of Dr. Patel and her after her last chemo treatment. As first impressions go, it wasn’t all bad after waiting more than an hour.

During the initial phase of the appointment, Dr. O was sitting at the desk, noting the test results and asking questions about how she was doing, when she had the chemo, etc. Janet went into the appointment wanting to make sure that this new doctor knew she had things to do and places to go in December and January. When she thought Dr O was at a stopping point in the ‘interview’ phase of the appointment, she said: “Dr. O, I have a schedule. Before she could continue, he briskly replied: “But I just got here, I’m getting to know you. I like to get to know my patients. If I keep looking at my watch and hurry it along, my patients get angry. That’s what managed care tries to do, get doctors to see patients as numbers and hurry them along”…….Janet quickly said, “No-o-o, not now…in December and January.’’ It was an awkward, funny moment. However, I guess Nigerians don’t have the same sense of humor….he didn’t laugh.