So if I read what you wrote correctly, one day your breast appeared normal, the next day it appeared quite red?
Sounds like you had a super, super primary care physician there. But you had a lot of things go right here, and for others who are reading this, I want to point them out:
1. Penny saw a symptom she didn't understand and called her doctor. No waiting to see if it will go away on its own, no denial, no "I don't want to bother the doctor." She just called.
2. Her doctor was a good one. Clearly there was a relationship here already. If you don't like your primary care physician, change. You need someone whom you feel comfortable with and have confidence in; someone who is pro-active about your health.
3. Despite the insurance company's caution, Penny got the mammogram and ultrasound anyway. At this point, some women would have decided they couldn't have the tests.
4. Penny's daughter did her research. It sounds like she didn't go overboard -- something that can be easy to do on the internet -- but she found helpful, practical information. She told that helpful, practical information to her mother.
5. When the doctor said all was well, Penny, not satisfied because something still didn't seem right, repeated the helpful, practical information to the doctor. The doctor did something about it.
6. When a biopsy was scheduled, but not soon, Penny asked, talked and pushed until she got an appointment in the next two days.
7. She's still here, living and thriving, 7 years later. Yay!
Penny, I would sure love to know more of your story. IBC would be less frightening to women if we hear more about proactive patients like yourself. Would love to know about your surgeries, chemo, radiation, all of it, especially the things that you know made a difference, like the above.
Comment Reply
Penny, I LOVE your story. Wow. Wow.
So if I read what you wrote correctly, one day your breast appeared normal, the next day it appeared quite red?
Sounds like you had a super, super primary care physician there. But you had a lot of things go right here, and for others who are reading this, I want to point them out:
1. Penny saw a symptom she didn't understand and called her doctor. No waiting to see if it will go away on its own, no denial, no "I don't want to bother the doctor." She just called.
2. Her doctor was a good one. Clearly there was a relationship here already. If you don't like your primary care physician, change. You need someone whom you feel comfortable with and have confidence in; someone who is pro-active about your health.
3. Despite the insurance company's caution, Penny got the mammogram and ultrasound anyway. At this point, some women would have decided they couldn't have the tests.
4. Penny's daughter did her research. It sounds like she didn't go overboard -- something that can be easy to do on the internet -- but she found helpful, practical information. She told that helpful, practical information to her mother.
5. When the doctor said all was well, Penny, not satisfied because something still didn't seem right, repeated the helpful, practical information to the doctor. The doctor did something about it.
6. When a biopsy was scheduled, but not soon, Penny asked, talked and pushed until she got an appointment in the next two days.
7. She's still here, living and thriving, 7 years later. Yay!
Penny, I would sure love to know more of your story. IBC would be less frightening to women if we hear more about proactive patients like yourself. Would love to know about your surgeries, chemo, radiation, all of it, especially the things that you know made a difference, like the above.
Thanks so much for writing. You rock!
June 16, 2009 - 10:13amThis Comment
Reply