BreastCancerStories.com - 21. The Guys Who Cared for Me

My gynecologist - I’ve known him for almost 9 years and he was the person who, as he examined me back in 2003, felt my lump and immediately told me that I needed to have a surgeon look at it. I am grateful to him because although he scared me tremendously, he didn’t hesitate or waver in what he thought I should do. Although I’d like to think that I would have done something on my own, I can’t be so sure that had I not gone to see him then, that I would have checked the lump out. I mean, I wasn’t even thinking about the lump by the time I saw him cause my breasts were always lumpy and it just couldn’t happen to me. Remember? My story could have been very different. He’s had the same staff well before I ever knew him and because they are so relateable (sp), I can call them if I have questions about absolutely anything. We’ve all gotten to know each other fairly well over the years. He’s a matter of fact type of guy and we don’t always agree, but we have an amazing relationship and I don’t know what I’m gonna do if he ever retires.

Thank you: Dr. James R. McBride Jr, Sandy, Debbie, and Bobbie

My former surgeon - My gynecologist was the person who referred me to my previous surgeon. I was under the care of this surgeon from July 2003 until last year when I found out that he did not accept the insurance I had at the time. I remember him having very “heavy hands” and I really thought he was kinda rough in his technique as he examined me, but nevertheless, he was very gentle in how he responded to me. Although he wasn’t particularly a big informer about what was going on (maybe he assumed I knew?), I was very pleased with his “work”….he performed my lumpectomy and the scar left was barely noticeable. He has beautiful people who work for him and I’m grateful for the time I was under his care. I would certainly refer you to him if my current surgeon decides to stop accepting new patients.

Thank you: Dr. Don C. Quast, Ms. Bea, Rita, and Kaye

My former oncologist - I don’t remember how I found my previous oncologist, but I was under his care from the time I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003 until September 2007. (I had been seeing him twice a year during this time.) He was the doctor who prescribed radiation for me after my lumpectomy and he was also one of the doctors who gave me the green light when I told him I wanted another baby. He was a true professional and I appreciate his service to me….even though he referred to me in his notes as “slightly overweight”! (WHAT?!)

Thank you: Dr. Harry R. Price

My surgeon - Upon finding out that the surgeon I’d used in 2003 did not accept the insurance I had last year, I asked everyone I knew who’d had surgery about their doctors. The most important factors for me were likeability, insurance acceptance and availability.….my surgeon had them all and essentially, after a couple of phone calls, I was scheduled to see him. It was July 2007. At my first visit and after sitting in his waiting area for a while and not knowing what to expect, I really thought that I’d be rushed once I did see him. I admit…I DID think about leaving and finding another doctor since it seemed that I had waited too long, but the truth is I would have had to get another referral to see another doctor, so looking back, I really wasn’t going anywhere.

I think that perhaps I just needed to KNOW that I would have a wait….I would have at least brought something to read. Anyway, I am SO very glad that I did not leave because it would have been my loss. When my surgeon (funny how I can claim him now) walked into the room, during my first visit, my spirit agreed with him. He has set the standard for me as to what I should expect from a doctor. It’s just that there was something uniquely different about him and I liked it. When I spoke to him, I did not feel as if I were competing with his next patient waiting in the next room or that he was preoccupied with other things. Even if he did have to see his other patients, he never rushed me and he listened intently to what I said. I had his complete attention and that meant a lot to me. He didn’t just TELL me what to do, (although a couple of times, I wanted him to….I just couldn’t think straight, it seemed), but he was thorough in letting me know my options. He and his staff are such that when I’m scheduled for a visit, I actually look forward to going. (And I don’t even mind waiting if I have to.) When I think of him, I am reminded of my favorite teacher, Mrs. M. Hamilton. She was my 10^th grade English instructor. How I adore her! I thought she was simply the best and although I’ve had some great instructors since her, I felt that none really compared. This is truly my sentiment about my surgeon.

Thank you: Dr. E. Leon Etter II, Paula Rogers, Ms. Alica Nash, Dr. Michael Pulido, Debbie, LaSonya and Veronica

My oncologist - It was my surgeon who recommended my oncologist to me. I met him in September 2007 and I see him often since I’ve been going to his office at least 2 to 3 times a week for testing or chemo, but I visit (or have appointments) with him once a month. He and his staff make up another team I admire greatly. I could not have asked for more. My oncologist is very considerate and his nurses and staff are amazing. When I first met him, I think he thought that I would have a meltdown as he talked to me, because he commented about how some patients get excited or confused once they receive a diagnosis. I was no different, (in fact I was both excited and VERY confused), but because I was on autopilot, I didn't even think about crying. (I usually saved that for when I was driving.)

He is always cordial and his staff always smiles and they laugh with me and each week as I have gone for my complete blood counts, they really made it easy for me as they gave me those darn Neupogen injections. (Yup....it was certainly routine....typical WBC of about 1.5 each Monday and Neupogen injection, along with Levaquin, with a return on the next day.) I was always made to feel comfortable and although I never had any particularly "bad" days, since the first day after I received my port, I'm sure they would have been accomodating. They have also taught me SO much about medicine and drugs and drug compatability and chemo and just stuff! It's all so very interesting now! I've been truly amazed.

Thank you: Dr. Jorge Quesada, Mary Lou, Jose Tapia, Yudy Burgos, Trudy Butler, Trina, Karen, Mindy, Brian, Shamir and Titus

My plastic surgeon - oh yea. So when I first heard about "chemo brain" I really thought it wouldn't apply to me right? But it's really REAL. I FORGOT to verify my insurance for the plastic surgeon I was gonna use! I was so sure that I had "remembered" to ask all of my doctors about the insurance they accepted, that I completely forgot all about the plastic surgeon!! I did all this verifying back in November, but it never came to my mind to consider the plastic surgeon. Gosh, that's the weird part about "chemo brain". I just didn't remember and I really don't like NOT remembering things! This is so not good, because the plastic surgeon that I was gonna use for my reconstruction, does NOT accept my insurance.

Thankfully, I have a couple of plastic surgeons who've been recommended to me that I will now consider. The search is on!