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New Jersey/NYC/CT/Eastern Pennsylvania ladies

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Comments

  • Lexbelle
    Lexbelle Member Posts: 6
    edited November 2016

    Thank you ladies.. I will be calling Hackensack this week.. Viktoryak, I have done my mammos at Valley and felt that they have disregarded my concerns which is why I am looking to go see a Doctor elsewhere- I feel that they would agree with their radiologists just because they were from the same hospital (I know how silly that sounds).. It's all just a bit frustrating that I went in with a lump that could be felt but not seen and not have an answer only to walk out with a piece of paper saying I have microcalcifications come back in six months- nothing about the lump. I have also called memorial Sloan Kettering but without a diagnosis they will not schedule an appointment with a doctor (even though the doctor was expecting a visit from me because of a friend.. And so I'm here hoping someone had a similar experience who could help me, and you ladies have been a great help.. Thank you

  • KarenZ0305
    KarenZ0305 Member Posts: 345
    edited November 2016

    Lexbelle I go to MSKBR and my original MO left to go to Hackensack. I hear nothing but good things about that hospital. Good luck. I forget - have you had an MRI or needle biopsy?

  • viktoryak
    viktoryak Member Posts: 238
    edited November 2016

    Lexbelle, I can't believe Sloan will not take you. Did you try to make an appointment with Breast Specialist there? I also went for evaluation to Cornell. If you would like to go there I can refer a dr.I also can give you a name of my Breast Specialist in Sloan if you need it. Pm me if you like more information.

  • Lexbelle
    Lexbelle Member Posts: 6
    edited November 2016

    Good morning ladies.. I can't tell you how much appreciation I feel towards all of you for even acknowledging me.. Unfortunately since the lump hasn't been seen in the mammos or US it's as if it doesn't exist... They keep me coming back for the microcalcifications.. I called sloane to make an appointment with a doctor that a friend referred me to (the doctor knew of my situation and was willing to see me because of a study he is doing and had treated a family friend) but I had to call the appointment line and the lady who answered said "no diagnosis no appointment "... He was new there so I didn't want to cause any problems for him... I then went for my 6 month follow up in June- when I went I had to remind them that I still had the lump and I was not only there for the microcalcifications, but again they could feel the lump but couldn't see it and I was sent home with the same report and see you in six months. And so now the lump got bigger (like a piece of chewed gum) so I've decided it's time to figure it out.

    KarenZ0305: I will be calling Hackensack today, but I haven't had an MRI or biopsy.. They radiologist and my obgyn didn't see a need for it even when I questioned them about the lump that could be felt but not seen :)

    Victoryak: sad to say but I'm not sure how to pm.. I'll have to look into it later.. I would love a few names in case I get nowhere with the three Doctor names I have gotten from here. Thank you. I'm not in panic mode but I hate not knowing what this is. :

  • Lexbelle
    Lexbelle Member Posts: 6
    edited November 2016

    Victoryak: I see how to pm now.

  • scaredashell07
    scaredashell07 Member Posts: 143
    edited December 2016

    anyone have any experience with basking ridge Sloan Kettering office? I'm geting discouraged waiting for an appointment call back

  • viktoryak
    viktoryak Member Posts: 238
    edited December 2016

    I went to Sloan in the city. So far only good about it. However, sometimes you have to wait for a long time....

  • dtad
    dtad Member Posts: 771
    edited December 2016

    I called MSK in Basking Ridge to get a second opinion when I was first diagnosed and also did not get a call back. I never pursued it after that. Just my experience....

  • jonib
    jonib Member Posts: 94
    edited December 2016

    I had radiation at MSK BR in 2008 when they first opened. The place was pretty empty then. My friend's husband is being treated there now and they have had physician turnover and not enough doctors at times. Don't know if it has improved now, but at one time there was more demand then they could handle.

  • scaredashell07
    scaredashell07 Member Posts: 143
    edited December 2016

    well k for my apoihtment so in hoping it isn't a mistake.

  • KarenZ0305
    KarenZ0305 Member Posts: 345
    edited December 2016

    scaredashell have you tried the new location in Middletown? I started at MSN in NY but had my MO switched to BR. Maybe try that?

  • KarenZ0305
    KarenZ0305 Member Posts: 345
    edited December 2016

    Lexbelle not sure where you are but maybe check out Susan McManus at St. Peter's in New Brunswick. She did my original biopsy and I know a lot of women (sad to say) that have gone to her

  • roche
    roche Member Posts: 36
    edited January 2017
    H
    I must be in la la land for real. I'm very new to this website but I am first noticing a NJ forum. I'm not that familiar with the site but it seems like the postings go back a few years, so guess I overlooked it somehow. Anyway, I live in Freehold and its great to see a group of relatively local members to communicate with.
    Roche
  • sandcastle
    sandcastle Member Posts: 289
    edited January 2017

    Roche....This, Thread is good to get information about Hospitals, Doctors and such for the Tri-State Area....Liz

  • roche
    roche Member Posts: 36
    edited January 2017
    I agree. Glad I found it
  • roche
    roche Member Posts: 36
    edited January 2017
    Hello sandcastle,
    I've read several of your posts in which you say you are very satisfied with your choice of doctors, but you don't mention them by name, unless I've overlooked the info. I'm in Monmouth County and I'm getting mixed recommendations from RO and MO and need to make a decision as to whether I really need radiation or hormones as my Reports came back low reoccurance. Does it take a village before being able to feel comfortable with a doctor's proposed treatment? Thanks
    Roche
  • scaredashell07
    scaredashell07 Member Posts: 143
    edited January 2017

    Roche. I agree. I for different opinions form doctors in same practice Msk. And now they say they don't take bloodwork for markers and won't do an oncotype. I'm not so sure why

  • roche
    roche Member Posts: 36
    edited January 2017

    Very frustrating

  • roche
    roche Member Posts: 36
    edited January 2017

    PS: maybe $$ facto

  • juneaubugg
    juneaubugg Member Posts: 517
    edited March 2017

    Dandelion725 - Dr. Leah Gendler out of Morristown Medical Center is AMAZING! She performed my mastectomy and Dr. Renee Comizio did my reconstruction. You would never know it's not my natural breast (I had nipple sparing mastectomy).

  • s3k5
    s3k5 Member Posts: 411
    edited March 2017

    I am looking for a medical oncologist to obtain a second opinion for my treatment. Live and work in Central Jersey. I have been seeing the same dr since 2008 and love my doctor. But with a stage IV diagnosis, I feel like a second opinion might be in order.

    Any recommendations? I called MSK in Basking Ridge 3 weeks ago and so far, I haven't received any call back for an appointment. Is it worth pursuing MSK? Wait times seems to be very long here.

    Thanks for your help!

    S3K5.

  • dtad
    dtad Member Posts: 771
    edited March 2017

    S3K5....Hi there. Are you willing to go into the city? IMO a major university teaching hospital is the way to go. I also contacted MSK in Basking Ridge and never got a call back! My suggestion if you want to stay in NJ is RWJ in New Brunswick but my first choice is NYC. Good luck to you.

  • jonib
    jonib Member Posts: 94
    edited March 2017

    I went to Dr. Gorsky at MSK BR with my first diagnosis in 2008 before switching to a NY oncologist. This was 2008 when they just opened then. I switched because of their aweful billing but i liked the doctor. I've heard good things about a MO at Morristown - she is a woman and I can look up her name if interested.

  • cfeld
    cfeld Member Posts: 1
    edited April 2017

    Hello all,

    I am also from central NJ. Have been diagnosed with DCIS and am BRCA1+ and am likely going for bilateral matectomy with DIEP reconstruction.

    Not sure if this response is too late, but I was referred to Dr. Toppmeyer in RWJ for an MO.

    I would love to know if anyone heard of Dr. Richard Agag for DIEP reconstruction?


  • s3k5
    s3k5 Member Posts: 411
    edited April 2017

    Hi everybody,

    Thanks for your responses.

    Welcome to the board, cfeld. I am curious to know why you decided to get the BRCA test? What are the pros and cons of getting this test? Would this help or hurt the next generation in terms of health insurance?

    I did get a second opinion from a S.Jersey doctor and his opinion was for me try the newest drug from Novartis (Kisqali). My oncologist had also suggested the same one - so we will have to wait and see if this works (without too many side effects!)

    I need another help from you all - I need a recommendation for a neurologist/pain specialist for my bone pain. The Pain specialist I am seeing is wonderful but she is not a neurologist so she doesn't do any procedures to reduce the pain. I am not a candidate for radiation therapy, since I have reached the maximum allowed dosage.

    Has any one been told that the healing bones can also cause pain? My PET scan shows reduced SUV for many spots on my spine but my pain is not getting better.

    S3K5.

  • sandcastle
    sandcastle Member Posts: 289
    edited August 2017

    Bump!

  • jenmaryland
    jenmaryland Member Posts: 1
    edited August 2017

    I'm looking for a new PS as I've had two failed reconstructions in one year. I went to a pretty highly regarded surgeon at Penn but she turned out to be the wrong choice.

  • dtad
    dtad Member Posts: 771
    edited August 2017

    Jenmaryland....not sure exactly where you live but I would highly recommend Dr. Christine Rohde from Columbia University Medical Center in NYC. Good luck

  • scaredashell07
    scaredashell07 Member Posts: 143
    edited September 2017

    anyone use a Plastic surgeon at Sloan they were happy with? I went flat after mastectomy and considering a diep flap (???) for recon

  • roche
    roche Member Posts: 36
    edited September 2017
    I'm reading this post rather late, but I was able to make appt with doctors very quickly at Sloan Kettering in Middletown. Appt when they first opened last year and just last week.

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