[Travelinglady]

I had a screening mammogram, and then a diagnostic mammogram and an ultrasound on a breast lump in my left breast. I figured I'd rather hear the results from my primary care doctor than from a stranger in the radiology department, so I asked for an appointment with her for that purpose and told the radiologist of my desire.

At any rate, a couple of days later I get a phone call from my doc's office. The first thing the nurse said was, "We have made you an appointment for a biopsy on January 30." I tried to question her, and all she said was, "You have a breast mass." Well, I already knew that!

I kept my appointment with my doc for that afternoon. She acted very nonchalant about everything, saying basically not much more than, "Oh, you have some calcifications. You'll be fine."

I told her I wanted to go to Duke Hospital (a famous one for such treatments) for the biopsy and for anything else that needed to be done. Her response was, "Well, that will take longer, but I don't guess a couple of weeks will matter, since if you have cancer, it will be slow-growing."

I go to Duke and get examined. They determine that the lump is what's called a "fatty necrosis"--nothing to worry about. But while they were doing mammograms, they were concentrating mucn more on my right breast. I asked the tech why and she said the major concern was calcifications in my right breast. That was why the biopsy had been ordered. Nothing to do with my left breast!

I got curious, so I went to my doc's office and got a copy of the radiology report. It clearly stated that the lump on my left breast was likely a cyst and then reported on increasing clustered calcifications in my right breast, leading them to recommend a biopsy. I now have one scheduled for this Friday, the 13th, at Duke.

Should I be mad that my doc's office was so vague about my report? I mean, couldn't they have told me the lump in the left breast was likely a cyst and "a biopsy had been recommended because of calcifications in my right breast"? I certainly feel like I was misled and have worried even more as a result.

What do you folks think?

[ECHOES]

PAYNE, I would be upset. I don't ever want to be treated with a pat on the head and a "don't you worry your little head" attitude!

When I had some tests done during a year of sickness, I recognized on lab order was for a cancer lab. I was not thinking CA at that time, and I let the doctor know that I wanted to know everything upfront. She was apologetic and thought she had discussed this with me, but I know she had not. But from then on she did and all was well. I was glad I spoke my mind and felt confident I would not get only part of my health information again.

Should doesn't enter into it. You are angry. Tell them and why

[Beholden]

Well said "You are angery" to PANYE1's question, should I be angery!

I'm the type that will worry expecially if I don't know or understand something. I've learned to ask and let the medical professionals I want to be told upfront too. Information is what I need to keep me from worry.

[Perna]

It is hard to know. I had five months worth of an infection wandering around inside me after my appendix burst and when it was all over it was quite clear what should have been done

The transmission of info from one doctor to another or what the xray says, etc. and how a second or third doctor sees it can be iffy. That's why I am religious about seeing my primary care doctor often and making the best relationship with him that I can, so when I have a problem elsewhere I feel he might know me a little better by now and/or I him so I can quiz him to death about things and ask to see results and we can hammer out what is going on so I am comfortable moving forward.

That you wanted to go to Duke, no one really thought about or knew until you asked, and that was wonderful on your part but was a game changer. My file is getting pretty thick over the years and, even though I see my doctor 4 times a year, I'm sure he has hundreds of other patients and I have 2-3 problems, etc., all my little details are in there but not on the tip of his remembering until I re-mention what I think is relevant.

You were a good advocate for yourself and things worked out fine? I would just remember this incident and use it in the future to know what to look for? My $3,000 appendix burst operation ended up costing $30,000 and causing me problems I'm now experiencing but the education for me and my surgeon/doctor at the time was pretty good too, will help others.

[Travelinglady]

Oh, yeah, you folks are right. I am angry. I was wondering if I was justified or just unrealistic in what I was expecting. It definitely has been a learning experience for me.

I think my doc knows I am an anxious person, anyway, so maybe she thought she was doing the right thing about being vague. I'll tell her when I see her next that it actually made it worse for me. At least Duke is known for being kind, but telling things like they are.

I'll be talking to a Duke nurse practitioner about my results next week via phone, most likely. We have already met and even corresponded through the phone and through e-mail several times. She is very good about answering my questions and an official "breast specialist" who has much experience in dealing with these issues. I'll be meeting with her again on the 24th for either a final wrap-up or for arrangements for further treatment.

Thanks again for your responses!

So sorry, Perna, that you had those appendix complications. What a struggle. I'm sure glad you lived to tell the tale and hope all residual problems will end soon.

[mgran]

You were really badly treated... I'd be not just angry, I'd be disgusted. Have you considered writing a formal complaint?

[lynn P.]

((PAYNE1)) - first of all you're doing a great job advocating for yourself in getting good care. I live in Canada so maybe we do things differently. If a test comes back positive, the nurses in doctors offices aren't allowed to discuss details - we have to make an appointment to discuss it in detail. They also wouldn't take the liberty of booking another appointment without 1st having the patient come in to discuss results and options.

I had a breast biopsy done and my doctor had me come in on several occasions, to discuss the mammogram and follow up procedure. She had the results on her desk and went over in detail what they thought it was and what was next. I think every woman would be emotional and need reassurance - the doctor should be patient and open to any questions. The doc should say "you'll be okay" after you've had the chance to absorb all the information put in front of you....not before, because this may appear dismissive. After all you're paying them.

I hope it turns out to be negative and its not cancer. Hopefully you can patch up this misunderstanding - this is something you'll need to think about. You have every right to know exactly what's going on and every detail of what care /treatment you'll be receiving. I feel you should have been sat down and given a complete explanation, plus attention to how emotional this is. I'll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers that everything will be okay for you.

[Fresia]

Oh my, ((((Payne))))) I can understand why you would be upset with the doc as she was not just vague but misleading. I would let her know that, how the office handled things, and how you did not appreciate it when you see her next time. If someone does not let them know, they might do this again and continuing this practice by not knowing differently. If you are up to it, I would let them know.

Good for you in advocating for yourself! It sounds like you are in good hands and they are all on top of it. I will be thinking of you. Big hugs!

[Leed]

That was absolutely SHODDY treatment!! This should be reported to SOMEONE!! I don't know WHO, but someone!! LOL

Any MASS and calcifications SHOULD be treated with respect and concern!! When my surgeon told me that I had calcifications in my left breast, she was VERY concerned because she said that they WILL become cancerous in time -- so I had surgery to remove them, and after surgery, I had to have radiation. The "condition" was called DCIS. It is a "noninvasive" cancer of the ducts. And how did they KNOW that you had a "cyst" without a biopsy?? I certainly wouldn't want someone to assume! It's my BODY and LIFE they're talking about!

I think I'd switch doctors and find one who shows more expertise & concern! I'd interview a few before making my choice! You surely were treated badly.

Best of luck & God bless. Hugs, Lee

[lizardlady]

Payne, like others said, there's no "should" involved with the way you felt. You were angry about the way you were treated. Continue being an advocate for yourself!

Good luck with the news next week.

[likewater]

Payne, i agree with all the above. Drs forget that we are living breathing human beings, not just charts.

[Travelinglady]

Thanks for all the responses. I plan on talking to my doc about how I didn't appreciate the way she and her office handled things. I like her a lot otherwise.

I did go to Duke, and they determined that my lump was a "fatty necrosis"--benign. They gave me a "differential diagnosis" of DCIS or a fibroadenoma (benign tumor) on the calcifications.

Duke did the biopsy, and I am glad to say it was the benign tumor.

Duke also got everything done EARLIER than it would have been done here in my town, unlike what my doc predicted. Had I stayed here, I wouldn't even have had my biopsy until the 30th!

[likewater]

I'm glad you requested to go there. It sounds like the news was good.

[BrokenNBeautiful]

It can be very hard to trust our doctors when they don't tell us things.

My first reaction to this post was, "Why didn't they tell you?! You had a right to know!"

I think being mad at them is understandable.

Billi