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Chapter Two
Meeting With Dr. B
“The bridge to success is never crossed alone.” — Unknown Author
When I arrived at Dr. B’s place I was taken to the examination room and tried to ready myself for his exam. The room was very, very cold. I live in Pennsylvania and there was a seasonal Pennsylvania weather change going on outside, and the battle of the heat vs. air conditioner was in full swing.
When Dr. B (another really good looking guy, so maybe this wasn’t going to be TOO bad!) arrived, I told him that if he wanted to see the difference in my breasts, and the “inny”, he sure chose the wrong room. Even the “inny” was now standing at full attention from the cold! This seemed to break any possible ice (almost literally) that was in the room and the exam got started in the right direction. As it turned out, I didn’t have to worry about that as Dr. B made me feel very comfortable from the beginning.
Dr. B did the usual exam and started with his questions. He asked what I had already been told by the doctor at the Breast Care Center. After I told him about the experience with Dr. G, he seemed pleased and said that all of the information I was told was correct. I liked the fact that he asked me what I had already been told so we didn’t have to cover that ground twice.
I then started with my own list of questions. (There is a sample suggested list for your use in a later chapter, in case you really aren’t sure what to ask.) He patiently listened and responded to each and every one of the questions, no matter how complex or simple. This gave me a sense of empowerment and by allowing and responding to this exchange, he helped form a sense of partnership in my recovery. I was taking an active role in what was happening. I never once felt rushed by this man, and that is so important to building confidence in your doctor.
He told me that he wanted to do a surgical biopsy as soon as possible and he would most likely know on that day what we were dealing with. He explained exactly what he would be doing with the procedure in detail, even going so far as to draw a picture on a flipchart hanging in the exam room. I was as prepared as possible and we ended the first of our many meetings.
From this initial consultation, he also gave me a very important piece of advice. He said that I most likely would not remember everything he was going to say, so along with someone to take me home, make sure I brought a tape recorder and/or a camcorder to record the conversation. I chose the camcorder and I am so glad that I did. If you don’t own one, borrow or rent one. A lot of people have them and they are rather inexpensive to rent. (He was right. Although I was awake after the biopsy, it turned out to be a great reference when I was trying to remember exactly what he had said.)
We concluded by setting up an outpatient appointment for the biopsy about two weeks later. This was all happening too quickly for my mind to comprehend! I do workshops and training, and I had been scheduled to present on the subject of managing interruptions in your life. WOW! I had just been handed what could and ultimately did result in a major interruption in my life! I called to have another instructor take my place on the day of my biopsy and I went home to think, and tried not to worry about the upcoming procedure.
Each person deals with this type of news in her/his own way. For me, I knew I could not change what was going on inside of Inny (yes, I might as well capitalize it, as I came to call it by this name of affection). So, I asked Dr. B to give me the information I needed and help me to make the right decisions. (I emphasize “help me to make” because I was ultimately making the decisions. You do have choices in your decisions - you could choose to do nothing, but ultimately, the decisions you make are your own.) On this he promised, and that helped build the important trust I was gaining in his attitude. I was praying that his skills matched his attitude, patience, and bedside manner.
Lesson Three – Keep a record of what is happening. One of the most important pieces of advice I was given came from my doctor (Dr. B). He told me to bring a tape recorder or a camcorder, if available, especially when I had surgery. When you come out from under the sedation, your mind isn’t always clear. I chose a camcorder, and it worked great! There are so many questions, new terms used, and decisions to make.
It was helpful to be able to go back and listen to what the doctor had said. If you do not own one, ask around, maybe a friend or family member has one to loan you. If not, they can be rented for a small cost. Whatever you have to do, they are well worth the investment.
Chapter Three
Surgery Number One
“God understands our prayers even when we can’t find the words to say them.” — Unknown Author
The day of the biopsy I arrived with my camera in hand. I was told that Dr. B had an emergency at the hospital and would be at least an hour late. I wasn’t too concerned since I had the whole day off and decided that if “I” were the emergency, I would certainly want Dr. B to take the time to care for me. When you try to put yourself in someone else’s shoes it sometimes makes the waiting a bit easier.
I was taken to the room and asked the usual questions about not eating or drinking for so many hours before I came in. Everyone in the outpatient area was very nice and the initial “stuff” went fine. From there I went back to see Dr. G in the Breast Care Center. Due to the type of lump (as I learned later, almost all of the growths are called lumps, whether a mass or actual lump) the idea was for Dr. G and his assistant to give me another mammy to pinpoint the exact location of the suspicious area. This time it was a lot different.
The technician brought me into another room at the Center where we met Dr. G. I was placed in a very straight back chair and wheeled into the mammogram machine. There I was positioned into the machine and squished again. The most difficult part this time was that I had to remain perfectly still AND SQUISHED for almost three minutes while they checked the film to make sure it was okay. Believe me, while being squished, three minutes sure seems like a lot longer than 180 seconds!
Then the fun stuff! (Before I tell you the specifics of the next medical procedure, I want to emphasize that it was the lighthearted exchange I had with the doctor and nurse during the procedure which made the experience tolerable.) Dr. G numbed Inny – I felt a little pressure but no pain as he used a needle to get her nice and numb. He then stuck a little funnel with a sharp hollow needle at the end into the top of Inny!!! From there he took another long needle (more like a piece of flexible wire) and stuck it into the funnel and into the breast. In reality it was probably 3-4 inches long, but seemed like a lot longer on the picture they sent to Dr. B. There was a series of four pictures taken. This was very important for Dr. B to be able to see exactly where he should make the cut and look for the suspicious tissue.
Dr. G and the technician were joking with me the entire time about the procedure. For some of you this may seem a bit cold, but I can honestly tell you that their lighthearted approach made all the difference in my approach to the matter. Although this was a very serious situation, I kept remembering that I could not change it and I recalled the tremendous value the role of laughter can make in improving health.
Through all of the initial mammys and this procedure, the doctor made comments about my breasts being so dense. Personally, I didn’t think he knew me well enough to make that personal judgment, but maybe he’s just quick!!! The fact that I am petite (no, I never use the word small when
