I am a firm believer that you have to go with your gut instincts.  I was diagnosed in January and my first surgeon did a lumpectomy.  The margins did not come back clean, but he said "the rest can just be taken care of with chemo and radiation,"  His reason for not doing a mastectomy was mainly about "how that would look"  UNBELIEVABLE!  I decided I just couldn't live with that.  I decided to go for a second opinion.  Thank God I did.  I found a very good oncologist who told me without more surgery, my chance of recurrence was 70%!!!!  WOW!  He introduced me to his surgeon who I immediately felt comfortable with.  She was my lifeline.  It was night and day difference in how I was treated.  I had my mastectomy in July, now I'm told my chance of recurrence is about 1%.  i'm doing well and feeling great about life again.  Talk to people, find someone who has been through BC and recommends a good doctor.  You owe it to yourself, and your peace of mind to get the answers you need.  

Please forgive me for such a "forceful" reply in bold letters...I just was so reactionary when I read more about all your frustrations with the doctors...MY experience with all my doctors, technicians, etc...has been almost flawless (effiecient, caring, quick,etc...) ...( I m in denver)...it just hurts me to read about all the other women who have less-than-acceptable care!  I want each of us to be BOLD in our decisions....Cemjo, I dont want to convey that you should jump into having a mastectomy either.....but I want you to find out the answers as to why you ve had such horrible problems (the whole nipple thing).  Don t stop til you find out.  I had very dense breast tissue and they did not find the tumor til I had MRI, which I insisted on having.  You will feel so so empowered once you find the answers and the right doctors!!  Make this week count...

my 2 bits...jules

You have done the proper conservative actions already of checking, waiting, and then checking again; now it is time to get proactive.  Dense breasts or age are not valid excuses by the doctor.  Consider having an MRI. Even though MRI's can have false positives, they rarely have false negatives.  Go to a breast surgeon and get their opinion. In this case, I agree with sunshine and the others - trust your instinct.

Good luck

Hi Cemjo,

 You did the right thing by insisting on a second opinion.  I live in the San Francisco Bay Area which is known to be pretty on top of things but that is not always so.  30 years ago my sister (who also lived in the SF area) insisted on a biopsy on a lump in her breast.  Her doctor kept telling her not to worry she was too young for cancer.  Months later he caved and it turned out to be breast cancer and it was so far advance she eventually past away from it.

 This year I took was diagoised with BC but thankfully Stage O DCIS, I had a great team of doctors behind me but one of the first things I was offered was if I wanted a second a opinion and give references if I did.  I was so comfortable with the team of doctors that I had that I went through genetic testing, two lumpectomies, radiation and now taking taxoflin.  I expect to live a normal life span (what ever that might be) and learned to treasure each day as it comes.

If your doctor doesn't refer you to someone else, you can always go on your own - tell your insurance company and they can always help you find someone in your area 

Thank you all for your support.  I am waiting for my Doctor to call with the referral.  I do feel less stressed than I did on Friday, because I feel as though I am listening to me now.  I do believe in our instincts, intuition, gut feelings.  Not sure mine is telling me cancer, just that something is not right. I will let you all know when I hear something.

Thanks again!

Cemjo