Second Opinions

I am very happy with my current doctors and have confidence in their abilities. There may come a time when we receive all the information that I decide to seek a second opinion, but as of right now I'm not going to do it.

For those of you who are questioning my judgment or feel that I just don't know what I'm doing please have faith.

A little info about the doctors:

Dr. M is my family doctor. She did her residency at UPenn and I've been seeing her for close to two years. She knows my medical history and performed a physical on me in February 2006. She's been keeping tabs on my elevated blood pressure and my weight and has been cautioning me about diabetes (my tests have always been good, but not great). She also sent me for the mammogram that found the original calcifications last year. I realize that she'll have very little to do with my treatment, but it feels nice to have her in my corner.

Dr. K is the breast surgeon. I met with him after the radiologist recommended that there were areas in my breast that required a biopsy. He went to UPenn, did residency at Hospital of the U. of Pennsylvania (HUP) and worked at HUP and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer in NY. I've done a bit of research on him and haven't turned up any skeletons so far.

I will be receiving treatment at The Cancer Center of Paoli Hospital. A bit about Paoli:

At the Cancer Center of Paoli Hospital, we offer the best of all worlds in cancer care -- board certified oncology specialists, the most innovative technology, a full range of sophisticated services -- all in a convenient and comfortable setting. As a Fox Chase Cancer Center Partner, our patients have access to the latest research and cutting-edge treatments. The Cancer Center of Paoli Hospital is accredited by the American College of Surgeons as a Community Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Program.

The Cancer Center of Paoli Hospital brings Chester County and Philadelphia's western suburbs a full spectrum of cancer services from screenings, early detection and cancer prevention studies, to advanced treatment for patients diagnosed with breast, prostate, lung, colorectal and gynecologic cancers, as well as melanoma, leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.

I understand that I am new to the world of cancer and there is so much that I do not know. However, at the moment I am comfortable with the care I am receiving. I have lots of questions and have been searching for answers.

Just like a pregnant woman doesn't want to hear horror labor stories, cancer patients don't like hearing how things can go wrong. That's not to say that I'm going to put my head in the sand, but I think I'm on the right track as of today.