Do I need other opinions on breast masses?

[KnottedYet]

Second opinions are always high on my list of "good things." If only for the peace of mind. That being said, I only have one oncologist and haven't done second opinions for my treatment! (I like him, he takes me seriously, and doesn't mind me demanding he excise stuff - usually it's benign but I've hit the jackpot a couple times.)

[Derf]

Good call re a second opinion. It doesn't hurt to be careful. I had a fibroadenoma when I was 27 (32 now) and had it removed. During the ultrasound, the doctor told me that it was a solid mass and took a needle biopsy right then. The results came back showing it was benign, though they said they couldn't guarantee it with 100% certainty. I decided to get a second opinion at UCLA. Same diagnosis. I ended up having it removed because I am a worry wart and because they said there was a chance that it would get larger if/when I got pregnant.

[mmelindas]

Yep, Snapdragon's got me pegged, I do overreact --- bigtime. Didn't plan any wardrobe or anything but I did postpone some family plans expecting surgery this week or next. I was relieved to read ALL of your posts, gals, and get a wider view of things.

My primary care physician, is a woman, but I don't really like her all that much. So I am considering changing to another. She will only deal with one problem at a time, and I usually come in with a list of things I want to deal with. (my last doc in Wa state knew when I came in, I was really sick and he listened and dealt with every thing on the list.)

My girlfriend's cancer doctor is a woman and she's highly recommended by others who have used her services, but she's not a primary care physician, (dang!) or I'd change to her. But I am going to talk to her nurse and then again to my doctor to see if I can get those xrays seen by this cancer doc and get another opinion.

I am in the risk category: first child late in life and menopause late in life also, and am overweight, all three of which are in the risk factors. I was so relieved to hear how many other women have had lumps and boo-boos that turned out to be nothing. Naturally I thought as so many of us women do, if it ain't supposed to be there, it's baaaaaaad!

In my case, since I've had 22 surgeries in my long life, another, even minor surgery with general anesthetic could be risky, so that is also something my doctor may be considering. I'd have to have a local unless it was a mastectomy. I have had about five surgeries done with local instead of general anesthetic because of my multiple surgeries.

It's amazing what a good dose of Versaid (sp?) before surgery, will do to erase the most horrible experiences under local anesthetic, because if I hurt, I don't remember it! I've also learned to take candy to the recovery nurses BEFORE surgery to make sure they keep me comfortable after it.

I will be looking around for a new primary doc....I thought since this one was a woman she'd be sympathetic, listening and so forth, but she's hard as nails and her bedside manner is like a bedpan! What was I thinking?!! Her nurse warned me not to ever tell her I thought I had the flu because she would stick this huge long needle up my nose into my sinuses and it hurt like heck and would bleed like a son of a gun! Is that wierd or what?

Anyway, I know she's going on the opinion of the radiologist, who is supposed to know his job and so probably it's benign like he said. I will do some calling around and see what happens as far as having someone else look at the xrays. You gals sure relieved me of a lot of anxiety in the meantime! THANKS!!

[Blueberry]

Her nurse warned me not to ever tell her I thought I had the flu because she would stick this huge long needle up my nose into my sinuses and it hurt like heck and would bleed like a son of a gun! Is that wierd or what?

Umm...run...or pedal...quickly...to a new Dr. When the nurse warns you that you can't tell your doc if you think you have a serious illness, time to find a new doc....

Carrie Anne

[mmelindas]

Yeah, when she told me that, I about had a cow!! I have never had flu (of any kind) and so I made a point NEVER to mention flu to that lady doc!! I have also never had a doctor's nurse warn me about her doing something like that!

In her defense, (only because I feel it's fair to tell the good with the bad) she will and does work you in immediately the very day you call for an appointment, and she keeps half of her daily appts open for this type of walk-ins. She gives you free samples when she prescribes a new med, so you don't go out on a limb filling an expensive prescription that doesn't work in the end for you. She does give you eye contact and appears to listen.

Secondly, her nurse is absolutely stupendous and I love her, the nurse, to bits. She returns calls right away or the very next day and if she's out, she has another nurse who covers for her. Some doctors have nasty nurses, but this gal is so conscientious and loving.

Well, I will let you know what I decide to do. There's another doctor in the office that other patients have recommended to me. I might switch to her.

Once again, thanks tons for all the input. I don't have any women here at home to talk to, all surrounded by menfolk and you know what they are like!!!