HEALTH MATTERS PART II

Well to continue kind readers, Joey and I had the appointment with the specialist and I am so very grateful that we did.  Not only was Dr. MacDermott and her staff extremely kind and gracious, the doctor was able to explain so many things to us that its hard to explain the reassurance and comfort that provided.  Dr. MacDermott had already reviewed the scans and ultrasound results provided by the Breast Center and then she did an exam. All the while she was explaining everything to me and continually reassuring me.  After the exam she showed me on the ultrasound scan where the area of question was and explained that in her experience, she believed that it was a cyst and was filled with fluid only. She explain the characteristics of cancer and what she looks for. Then I got dressed again and Joey was brought in. Dr. MacDermott again explained everything so that Joey got the information first hand from her and she showed him, as well, exactly what she looked at and why she felt that it was a fluid based cyst and that she highly doubted that there was any cancer.

She said that she wanted the biopsy performed so that we would have the pathology for the final non-cancer diagnosis. Her staff explained how to set up the biopsy appointment and to call them once that was done so I could schedule a follow-up appointment with Dr. MacDermott.

To say that the ride home was a far better experience, traffic and all, is an understatement. While not looking forward to having a biopsy performed I was far less fearful knowing that Dr. MacDermott was pretty certain that there was no cancer. While no doctor can know anything for sure and that the pathology report would be pretty conclusive, I felt comfort from Dr. MacDermott. She is highly education, highly experienced and very clear in what she says. She not only told us her opinion but showed us, first hand, why she was saying what she said.

The appointment for the core biopsy was set.  The hospital advised that I would not be put under general anesthesia, just a local shot to numb the area would be given and that I would be able to eat normally and that I would be able to drive myself home afterwards. They said that the area would receive a shot to numb it, the doctor would use an ultrasound machine to locate the exact area in question and then a small incision would be done to allow for the biopsy needle to enter and remove a small amount of tissue. Then a butterfly bandage would be applied, my chest would be strapped with an Ace bandage and ice would be applied. I was not to lift anything for 3-7 days afterwards. The check-in nurse did a great job of explaining everything and giving me all of the instructions.

I scheduled the biopsy for a Friday afternoon, that way I could work most of the day and not have to dwell on what was going to happen and then have the procedure and have the weekend to recover from it.  It went as I figured it would that is until the doctor that was performing the procedure, again I was blessed with a wonderful doctor and a terrific nurse. The doctor explained every step to me and helped me to be as comfortable as possible. When she did the ultrasound she said that she was inclined to agree with Dr. MacDermott that we were dealing with a fluid based cyst and that Dr. MacDermott had  given a prescription allowing for an aspiration (they put a needle in and draw out the fluid to be tested) and/or a core biopsy (they put a needle in and draw out tissue to be tested) to be performed. The doctor decided to try to do the aspiration first, as that procedure is less invasive and less painful. Gratefully that procedure worked and it was a cyst and she was able to draw out fluid to be tested by the pathology department.  Some pressure was applied to the area, then a bandage and I was told that I was done and could get dressed.  Once I got into the dressing area, I noticed that I was hurting a lot and that the area had already started to bruise. The nurse knocked on the door to ask if I was alright and I told her what was happening. She told the doctor and the doctor wanted to check me again. She used the ultrasound machine on me again to make sure that I wasn't bleeding internally, which I wasn't.  I bruise very easily, always have and I was bruising really quickly and badly. She decided to follow the post-op procedure used when the core biopsy is performed and strapped my chest and had the nurse apply an ice pack. I felt better once I was strapped and the ice pack applied so I finished dressing and headed home.

                                                                       End of Part II.

HEALTH MATTERS PART I

                                               

Went for my yearly mammogram as all women should. I started at an earlier age than most as my doctor said I have dense tissue and that its important to start early. Well I go every year, mostly, and had this year's done in August at the Breast Center at Barnabas Medical Center.

Monday came around and I went for the mammogram. It went alright, uncomfortable as always and had to have the right side re-scanned as the tech didn't like the way the first one turned out but other than that fine.  That is until the next day, Tuesday, I received a message from my doctor's office that the Breast Center radiologist saw something on my scan and requested that I make an appointment to come back for more scans and an ultrasound. Well every terrible, scary thought that can enter a person's mind entered mine. First thing was a desperate prayer followed by several long deep breaths to get my voice under control and to try to stop my heart from pounding. Then I called my doctor's office to get more information but they didn't have much other than the radiologist wanted more scans to see if there is a problem or not. So I called the Breast Center and was able to get an appointment for Thursday to have 3D scans done and an ultrasound.  Then I called my husband and told him the news, he is very even keeled and said get the additional scans done and then see where we go. We needed more information. We made the decision not to say anything to the children or my brother until we knew if there was a reason to say anything.

Thursday I went and had the 3D scans done and the tech had the radiologist read them and he wanted the ultrasound done. So sat in the waiting room waiting for the ultrasound tech to call me in, sent the text to my husband and then continued praying.  The ultrasound was done and the tech left the scan up when she went to talk to the radiologist. One look at it and I knew there was something there. A black mark 2 cm wide with yellow arrows around it.  Never has something so small frightened me so much. Took a picture of the scan and sent it with a text message to my husband that I was in trouble. 

The radiologist explained that there was something that they weren't sure about and he wanted to schedule a biopsy to determine what we were dealing with.  Thankfully my doctor is a very cautious man and he requires that all of his patients have to been seen by a breast specialist before any additional procedures are done.  Then I had a meeting with a wonderful nurse who coordinates procedures.  She called a specialist, Dr. MacDermott's office and was able to get me an appointment for the next day, which was wonderful and I am so very appreciative to her for that. 

Went home and as I arrived much earlier than usual, Joe and Emma asked what was up. So I sat them down and explained what was going on, showed them the picture on my phone and told them about my appointment with the specialist the next day. They were calm, asking some questions but basically understanding that we really didn't have a lot of information and needed more to really have a handle on what was going on.  A call was made to Alex and she asked to be kept up with all of the information as I found it out. Next a call to my brother and Eugene (as he always is) was very steady and very logical. We didn't have enough information to know if there was a big problem or not and steps need to be taken before we can know that. You see our younger brother died at the age of 37 from complications from diabetes and Eugene and I both know what it is to bury a sibling and neither of us wish to do it again anytime soon. Didn't sleep much that night needless to say.

Now Dr. MacDermott's office is located in Middlesex County, New Jersey and you have to travel on the Garden State Parkway (perfect name as you sit in so much traffic that you can think that you have your car in park) to get to her office. The day of my appointment, was the Friday afternoon, before Labor Day weekend. Anyone that knows anything about the New Jersey Shore knows that the Garden State Parkway on any Friday in the summer, let alone the Friday before Labor Day weekend, is not the place you wish to be.  But as this doctor came so highly recommended and I really wanted to be seen before the long holiday weekend, I took the appointment.  

Joey and I both took half days from work and we headed for my 3:15 appointment, leaving our home a little before 2 p.m.  I don't know if it was the traffic, the insane drivers or my nerves but it was a horrible ride down the parkway.  Thankfully we weren't going all the way down the shore but getting off well before the shore area starts.  Joey made good time getting us there and we arrived well ahead of my appointment. Now just had to sit in the waiting room for them to call me in to see the doctor.

                            END OF PART I