The Breast Cancer Specialist

November 10, 2016

Mom and I went to meet the specialist together. This is where we would find out what my treatment would be and what the next step was.

My specialist was highly recommended by several doctors in the area so I felt confident in her even before meeting her. When she walked in and begun to speak, I felt even more at ease. She was very nice AND has an English accent of sort and that makes everything sound better. Even the word Cancer sounds better with an accent. It just does.

She didn't waste much time, which was nice, we got right down to business. We talked about family history and how my mother and grandmother, and great grandmother, all had to deal with breast cancer before me.

I would need to have a double mastectomy and be treated with chemotherapy. The treatment decision was made easy with the fact that I had family history and I didn't have to worry about hurting any reproduction organs, since mine didn't cooperate much anyway.

Dr. O'Neill thought I would have surgery first, and then chemo afterwards. I think this was based on knowing already that the double mastectomy was the plan. The final decision would be based on some test results that I would need to have.

And that was the next step - scheduling three different tests: a PET scan, an MRI and genetic testing blood work.

Let me tell you, my frustration and stress was high on these tests.  No one cares about the timing of these things and the fact that you have a life threatening disease and you can't get treatment until these tests are complete. After weeks of waiting, I had to put the hammer down, put on my sassy pants and start calling everyone to the point of annoyance. I annoyed the specialists office until they faxed over the referrals again. Then I called the imaging centers and diagnostic center everyday after that. And I even then ruthlessly emailed my healthcare advocate at my insurance company for help. And actually, my healthcare advocate was the only one who seemed to care. She went out of her way to help me, and even prayed for me on the phone. She was the only one who seemed to care.

If you're ever in this situation, be proactive. Be your own advocate and make those phone calls. During the four weeks that I had to wait to get my tests done, my left breast had time to change. The lump(s) had grown. They were now easily seen without having to point them out, as the one on top protrudes out the side of my left breast. The whole area visually looks different now.

When you're in this situation, you just want treatment to start, so that it can finish.