Aa
Monocryl 4.0 to close excisional breast biopsy seems mighty large.
Perhaps it is because I am so angry that I submitted to this needless biopsy that I am also so unhappy with the post-surgical results.
What I first presented to the general practitioner with was an erythematous, indurated lesion with plaque. It seemed to me to be a bacterial process, and I was not concerned that this was cancerous.
However, I followed through on a referral to a surgeon for a consultation. This was not supposed to be a surgical consult, this particular surgeon is allegedly a breast specialist.
Given that all equipment was necessary was at hand in the surgeon's exam room, before I knew it, she asked her nurse to prep for a biopsy. Worn out from all the breast cancer finagalings for the past seven years, I, uncharacteristically, did not get myself out of the chair and go home. I had tried to have a rational approach to this reddened area, to no avail. I guess I just gave up.
When it came time to sew up the excision, the 'thread' used was large enough to haul in a tuna. Now, I have lumps at the distal ends of the excision, which, in addition to causing me to focus all the more on that breast, concern me in terms of future breast imaging. (By the way, I was NOT given proper post-procedure instructions. Surgeon kept claiming this and that was written on the instruction paper and they were not).
I feel like filing a complaint against both the original MD who viewed the lesion, and the surgeon as well, as solely due to history, and not clinical presentation, what should have been referred to a dermatologist, if that.
What I first presented to the general practitioner with was an erythematous, indurated lesion with plaque. It seemed to me to be a bacterial process, and I was not concerned that this was cancerous.
However, I followed through on a referral to a surgeon for a consultation. This was not supposed to be a surgical consult, this particular surgeon is allegedly a breast specialist.
Given that all equipment was necessary was at hand in the surgeon's exam room, before I knew it, she asked her nurse to prep for a biopsy. Worn out from all the breast cancer finagalings for the past seven years, I, uncharacteristically, did not get myself out of the chair and go home. I had tried to have a rational approach to this reddened area, to no avail. I guess I just gave up.
When it came time to sew up the excision, the 'thread' used was large enough to haul in a tuna. Now, I have lumps at the distal ends of the excision, which, in addition to causing me to focus all the more on that breast, concern me in terms of future breast imaging. (By the way, I was NOT given proper post-procedure instructions. Surgeon kept claiming this and that was written on the instruction paper and they were not).
I feel like filing a complaint against both the original MD who viewed the lesion, and the surgeon as well, as solely due to history, and not clinical presentation, what should have been referred to a dermatologist, if that.
I have had lumpy breasts for a very long time. I know I had one lump since I started to develop breasts. Until last year, no gynecologist or primary care physician EVER said anything about them except for having an ultrasound and another mammogram 6 months later. My husband was living at the time and was concerned and I did call my former PCP's office to ask if he had looked at my mammogram the year before last. Nothing was said about it then. Last year after having a mammogram and having it sent to his office, I had a routine pap smear and breast exam. It was at that time he suggested consulting with a breast surgeon. He sent me to the local free health clinic since I had no insurance and only my husband's income. These people wanted me to have ALL the lumps surgically removed under local anesthetic at as outpatient at a local hospital. I told them I would think about it, and decided against it. The nurse at this place made me an appointment anyway, which I had to cancel. She also told me they do this with every women who has any kind of breast lumps, which leads me to believe that they are getting government money for every biopsy performed whether necessary or not and they are preying on poor women. They act like this is not surgery or not serious or painful, not to mention scars from multiple incisions. I don't seriously if they even would prescribe proper pain medication after a procedure like this. I told that nurse I was not going to have it done and she tried to throw a cancer scare into me, and all my paperwork was worded to sound like I probably had cancer in order to get me into this program to pay for this unnecessary surgery. I was forced to go to this clinic again a few months ago to keep from having to disconue some blood pressure meds I never should have been put on that cannot be suddenly discontued. The nurse asked me if I had ever had my biopsy, and I gave her an emphatic no and she didn't say any more. The doctor I saw started up about the breast biopsy when she read my chart. This was causing my blood pressure to go up even more. The only thing that got her to drop the subject was to tell her that I was not going to be carved up like a Christmas turkey and that when you consult a surgeon, of cours he is going to want to cut on you. By the way the former PCP ignored my high blood pressure completely and gave me some very bad, possibly fatal advice about another problem and since then, I have talk to at least two health care professionals and they told me to find another doctor. I don't ever intend to go back to this free clinic, even if it kills me. I just don't want them to keep carving up poor women for profit.
Hi there,
I have a palpable lump that looks like (Mammogram films and US results)and feels like (movable and more painful before the period) something benign. But the fine needle biopsy has still be done.... thanks God results are negative too.
But inspite of all these exams, my breast surgent is sure that the surgical biopsy has to be performed to be 100% certain...
This surgent is very experienced one, so he doesn't need to practice, but still suggested the removal.... So, i believe that it's a common approach. I have scheduled the appointment to get the second surgical opinion, but the decision is still to be made by me. What would you do if you had time to think it through and decide whether to have a surgery or not?
Thank you for posting your comments, I agree with most of them
I have a palpable lump that looks like (Mammogram films and US results)and feels like (movable and more painful before the period) something benign. But the fine needle biopsy has still be done.... thanks God results are negative too.
But inspite of all these exams, my breast surgent is sure that the surgical biopsy has to be performed to be 100% certain...
This surgent is very experienced one, so he doesn't need to practice, but still suggested the removal.... So, i believe that it's a common approach. I have scheduled the appointment to get the second surgical opinion, but the decision is still to be made by me. What would you do if you had time to think it through and decide whether to have a surgery or not?
Thank you for posting your comments, I agree with most of them
Please do not feel any apology is necessary. I did not feel attacked. Not to worry. I just needed to express a few things myself.
What you wrote, anyone would write under the circumstances. I would. One cannot compare what Teri is going through -- what you are going through -- with anyone else's struggles. Yes. We all have to be tough, and yet tender. I needn't have seemed so determined to set things straight, although that's what I seem to be put in a position to do. Nonetheless, I offer my own apology.
When one writes to a Forum such as this, so many different eyes view what is written, all coming from various perspectives, all, as you say, 'fighting' -- or, looking for the strength and knowledge needed to take on whatever stands in the way of living fully today.
You are 'one in a million'. I pray for healing.
What you wrote, anyone would write under the circumstances. I would. One cannot compare what Teri is going through -- what you are going through -- with anyone else's struggles. Yes. We all have to be tough, and yet tender. I needn't have seemed so determined to set things straight, although that's what I seem to be put in a position to do. Nonetheless, I offer my own apology.
When one writes to a Forum such as this, so many different eyes view what is written, all coming from various perspectives, all, as you say, 'fighting' -- or, looking for the strength and knowledge needed to take on whatever stands in the way of living fully today.
You are 'one in a million'. I pray for healing.
To say I am sorry to learn of your wife's struggle, (and yours), would be inadequate.
However, you should know that more dramatic surgeries -- as, for example, mastectomies for Ductal Carcinoma-in-Situ -- seem to be on the increase, rather than on the decrease.
In my case, there was no need for a surgical biopsy, and I am convinced that the surgeon chose this route because she is hailed s the only 'breast' surgeon in a low-populatoin area and she wanted to practice on someone. (I have asked for a review). That would be a horrible allegation to make if I weren't so certain this was a contributing factor.
My comments are not 'whining' nor lacking in respect for the medical profession, nor indicative of my lack of joy at being well and not ill. But the medical community at large is in fact completely ignoring overall health issues for women with non-invasive breast cancers; overall health issues for women who have been treated for breast cancer; psyche/emotional health; and the wretched lack of consensus about how/what/when to treat.
I don't think it was as simple as your wife 'wanting to believe' that the area was 'scar tissue'. There was every reason for her to think that. It's all very confusing. I believe the confusion to be devasting. It is no wonder that women 'just decide' to do one thing or the other. In fact, we are usually asked to make these decisions as though no medical professionals were involved. Thank God, there are the lucky women who find answers from their own research and from great physicians and other health practitioners. But we also can't sit by and not take action. My original post shows what an emotional frenzy I was in. This is not an unusual reaction.
I am sorry my comments upset you, but I surely do understand why. You're obviously participating in all that's going on, and sticking by your wife. Many do not. I am awed and humbled by your strength, and hers as well.
I don't know if this website would be a help or just too much, but here's the url http://www.bcstage4.com/index.html
However, you should know that more dramatic surgeries -- as, for example, mastectomies for Ductal Carcinoma-in-Situ -- seem to be on the increase, rather than on the decrease.
In my case, there was no need for a surgical biopsy, and I am convinced that the surgeon chose this route because she is hailed s the only 'breast' surgeon in a low-populatoin area and she wanted to practice on someone. (I have asked for a review). That would be a horrible allegation to make if I weren't so certain this was a contributing factor.
My comments are not 'whining' nor lacking in respect for the medical profession, nor indicative of my lack of joy at being well and not ill. But the medical community at large is in fact completely ignoring overall health issues for women with non-invasive breast cancers; overall health issues for women who have been treated for breast cancer; psyche/emotional health; and the wretched lack of consensus about how/what/when to treat.
I don't think it was as simple as your wife 'wanting to believe' that the area was 'scar tissue'. There was every reason for her to think that. It's all very confusing. I believe the confusion to be devasting. It is no wonder that women 'just decide' to do one thing or the other. In fact, we are usually asked to make these decisions as though no medical professionals were involved. Thank God, there are the lucky women who find answers from their own research and from great physicians and other health practitioners. But we also can't sit by and not take action. My original post shows what an emotional frenzy I was in. This is not an unusual reaction.
I am sorry my comments upset you, but I surely do understand why. You're obviously participating in all that's going on, and sticking by your wife. Many do not. I am awed and humbled by your strength, and hers as well.
I don't know if this website would be a help or just too much, but here's the url http://www.bcstage4.com/index.html
I now feel i should say im sorry i did not mean to attac i would say the lattest news we got on my wife cloweded my judgment and i am sorry that i up set anyone as i well know you are all strong to be able to fight this each in his own way good luck to you once again im sorry and i will always stand by my wife her name is TERI AND SHE IS THE LOVE OF MY LIFE
BE greatfull you have had 7 years my wife is stage 4 and she just had surgery again for what she wonted to beleave was scar tissue only to find out it was back only after 4 mounths in remission she has out lived the time she was told she would and if the doctors did not check her for cancer when somethang new came up she would not be here they are doing it for your benifet there is no shortage of people needed for surgery so i feel they are looking out for my wife and all the woman to keep you all cancer free god bless all of you and look for the posstive thangs in life be happy that they care enough to check
I appreciate Japdip's pulling out her surgical notes, and checking the thread size. Thank you. That really helps, and I well know it isn't 'fun' to go through those files.
However, I would never file a report solely because I was unhappy with letting the surgery proceed. The general practitioner and the surgeon are the professionals. Had I been seen without the "history of breast cancer" scenario, this would have, without one single doubt, been viewed as one of those ambigious, heal with time things. I have NO doubt.
There are so many women out there who well know that once you have had breast cancer, you are seen as a walking breast cancer. The rest of your body, your overall health and wellness, are largely ignored, unless you are lucky enough to have an exceptional, rational MD.
Had the biopsy come back positive, it could have come back positive for different types of breast cancer. I really wish everyone would be more specific instead of just saying "breast cancer", lumping (pardon the word), everything into one basket. In-situ diagnoses, for example, are not cause for the extreme treatments I read that women are now getting at an ever-increasing rate. It seems that there is major backsliding on the entire diagnosis and treatment side, perhaps largely due to hyper-focus on early detection. How early is early enough? In the long run, how does this prove itself out. No one knows.
And let's just say it was fine and dandy that the thing on my breast was treated as suspicious for cancer. Well, now that everyone knows it was not that, what am I, and other women left with? Is anyone I've seen making the slightest attempt to look at underlying causes for that eruption? No. And I had informed both practitioners that I had had a similar 'eruption' elsewhere on my body. That has not been addressed. Maybe there was no answer, but no one is looking for one. Am I going to go from doc to doc trying to find an answer? No. I simply cannot. There is no money for that, not to mention the stress of doing so.
So what can I, and others do? Wing it. And try to find a pracitioner who is not going to take a total body/mind approach to whatever might be ailing. We are repeatedly told that breast cancer is a number of diseases. Well, perhaps a bit more focus on those contributing factors might help put an end to the miserable disease itself.
Even though antibiotics or antibacterials or some such thing might not have been the 'answer' -- do you honestly believe it was better to cut first?
I do appreciate your attempts to help me find a way to accept what happened and get past it. I have little doubt that that was your ultimate goal, and I thank you for that. It would be easier if current physicians were not still questioning me about how my diagnosis and treatment were handled seven years ago.
May we all be well.
However, I would never file a report solely because I was unhappy with letting the surgery proceed. The general practitioner and the surgeon are the professionals. Had I been seen without the "history of breast cancer" scenario, this would have, without one single doubt, been viewed as one of those ambigious, heal with time things. I have NO doubt.
There are so many women out there who well know that once you have had breast cancer, you are seen as a walking breast cancer. The rest of your body, your overall health and wellness, are largely ignored, unless you are lucky enough to have an exceptional, rational MD.
Had the biopsy come back positive, it could have come back positive for different types of breast cancer. I really wish everyone would be more specific instead of just saying "breast cancer", lumping (pardon the word), everything into one basket. In-situ diagnoses, for example, are not cause for the extreme treatments I read that women are now getting at an ever-increasing rate. It seems that there is major backsliding on the entire diagnosis and treatment side, perhaps largely due to hyper-focus on early detection. How early is early enough? In the long run, how does this prove itself out. No one knows.
And let's just say it was fine and dandy that the thing on my breast was treated as suspicious for cancer. Well, now that everyone knows it was not that, what am I, and other women left with? Is anyone I've seen making the slightest attempt to look at underlying causes for that eruption? No. And I had informed both practitioners that I had had a similar 'eruption' elsewhere on my body. That has not been addressed. Maybe there was no answer, but no one is looking for one. Am I going to go from doc to doc trying to find an answer? No. I simply cannot. There is no money for that, not to mention the stress of doing so.
So what can I, and others do? Wing it. And try to find a pracitioner who is not going to take a total body/mind approach to whatever might be ailing. We are repeatedly told that breast cancer is a number of diseases. Well, perhaps a bit more focus on those contributing factors might help put an end to the miserable disease itself.
Even though antibiotics or antibacterials or some such thing might not have been the 'answer' -- do you honestly believe it was better to cut first?
I do appreciate your attempts to help me find a way to accept what happened and get past it. I have little doubt that that was your ultimate goal, and I thank you for that. It would be easier if current physicians were not still questioning me about how my diagnosis and treatment were handled seven years ago.
May we all be well.
I hope you don't mind if I comment further ..... If you are still concerned (and it's evident that you are) just keep on "squeaking" .... you know which wheel gets the grease (as they say). If for no other reason you'll get an answer just so they can be rid of your complaining; and I don't mean that in a facetious manner .... it's the truth !! I believe we are entitled to get results no matter how we have to go about getting them. You are correct that BC is the first thing the Dr.s consider. I had an experience with a "hip thing" and somewhere along the way after several different tests and opinions (all different) I told my primary care physician / friend that the next time I had an MRI, CT or whatever I was going to an institution where the Radiologists were reading only there and I WOULD NOT present with a history of breast cancer. Being a retired medical professional I realize that would be a dirty trick and withholding information but it would have given me a "cold read" .... no films or previous reports for them to rely on. We women are a devious lot, aren't we ?? Best of Luck to you .... just stay calm and take it one step at a time ... make a plan and stick to it .
Sometimes your body can react to differing suture types with an inflammatory reaction. What causes a lump or lumpy suture line for one person, may not for another. Even operating on different parts of the body can result in different types of scar formation.
Chances are high that the lump or scar will die down. You could investigate some of the newer treatments for scar formation. My biopsies always had a hard, lumpy incision line that was quite red for a couple of months. Now, years later, my mastectomy scars are very light and thin. It just takes time, sometimes.
A breast surgeon felt the area required biopsying; yes, you could have requested a second opinion, but that opinion may not have been any different from the first. If it had come back positive for cancer, you would be very thankful you had it done early. As it was, it was negative.
Chances are high that the lump or scar will die down. You could investigate some of the newer treatments for scar formation. My biopsies always had a hard, lumpy incision line that was quite red for a couple of months. Now, years later, my mastectomy scars are very light and thin. It just takes time, sometimes.
A breast surgeon felt the area required biopsying; yes, you could have requested a second opinion, but that opinion may not have been any different from the first. If it had come back positive for cancer, you would be very thankful you had it done early. As it was, it was negative.
I just pulled all my op. reports to be sure ..... 1--biopsy, 2--mastectomy and 3--scar revision ..... all were closed with 4-0 suture material. Calm down; it will disolve you know and your lumps will be GONE. I know you will resent this comment but here goes .... don't take it out on the physicians because you are mad at yourself for submitting to what you refer to as an unnecessary procedure. I'm not taking sides; just trying to help you see the light (so to speak). Personally I would be thankful that the problem ISN'T cancer. Some of us aren't that lucky.
Ditto!
Thank you ......
Thank you. There was a question in all of that -- is this 4.0 considered standard for breast sutures?
I have what I consider to be significant 'lumps' at what I assume are the 'knot' ends. When I had the necessary mass excision, previously, there was little evidence of it from the very beginning.
Yes. This is all the more difficult because it was, in fact, unnecessary.
I have what I consider to be significant 'lumps' at what I assume are the 'knot' ends. When I had the necessary mass excision, previously, there was little evidence of it from the very beginning.
Yes. This is all the more difficult because it was, in fact, unnecessary.
Dear healthcareguerilla, Sounds like this has been a very difficult experience for you. We are happy to post your comments.
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