Monday, January 23, 2012

The "Good Breast"



This is a quick update. I must rest. But I wanted you all to know that a lot of things happened today that made me laugh. But I will save those silly things for another day.

Today, the good doctor at Sloan Kettering Hospital in NYC (the catstir experts), told me that she disagrees with the Greenwich Hospital radiologists findings on my mammogram.

Yes, I have catstir in my right breast, but my left breast, the "good breast," the one labeled "no suspicious findings" by a doctor associated with Greenwich Hospital, is, in fact, suspicious.

DID NOT SEE THAT COMING RIGHT?  Neither did I!

So I had yet another mammogram done on my "good breast" and because her suspicions were confirmed, I am scheduled for a biopsy at 9:00 am tomorrow morning.

There is no messing around at Sloan Kettering. I like that.

My good doctor at Sloan Kettering also informed me that when the doctor at Greenwich Hospital did the biopsy on my right breast (hereby labeled the catstir breast), she put the metal clip - the clip that marks the catstir site - in the wrong spot.

SHE PUT THE MARKER THAT MARKS THE CATSTIR IN THE WRONG SPOT.

This is why you go for second opinions.

Now, I have fight in me. This is exactly what I needed. YOU made a mistake Greenwich Hospital Dr!  It's no longer about me wearing an underwire bra's, or me being an asshole, or me doing this when I should have been doing that... For today, this was about YOU misreading a mammogram and miss placing a clip that would mark my catstir spot.

The palatial ambiance of Greenwich Hospital - the marble floors, the giant fish tank, the baby grand piano - all that is nice, but I want to know I'm receiving the best possible care.  I listened to my gut and I was right.

Thats one giant leap for MOnkey!!!

xoMonkeyME

P.S.  As far as dumb-ass comments go... cross off, "At least you only have catstir in one breast!"




33 comments:

  1. that looks just like my cat i had in university--though not so fat! lol
    i had two, brother and sister

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes, cat is cute... cat is in sink... life is in toilet

      Delete
  2. Good instincts going to such a reputable hospital. They have the experience and you will get the answers. My husband and I like the word "bonafide" and Sloan is indeed that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "bonafide" ... I like that too! hey.. maybe a tattoo...... hmmm?

      Delete
  3. Second opinion, always a good idea. Smart lady, Monkey. Smart.

    Love and power to you!!!

    xoxoxox

    MG

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just wish my SK (Sloan Kettering - a sign?) was on board with me with regard to my treatment. but we will talk about all of this this weekend.

      Delete
  4. OMG, Shannon! You are just hittin' 'em out of the ballpark! You are on such a roll! To be so funny, and such a fighter, and kicking ass! "They" GH Doctor...and Catstir...don't know who they're messing with, do they??!! Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Becky.. you're the BEST... but I didn't even know I wrote the silly stuff yet..... I'm funny and I don't even know it. This must be a catstir side effect! this feels good!

      Delete
  5. That is just horrific. I'm glad you went to the second hospital, too bad that baby grand's not going to work out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Laughing..... oh, laughter is good! yep, no fish tank, no baby grand, no valet parking, no marble, but...some of the waiting rooms have snacks! and I'm hoarding them. :)

      Delete
  6. Jeez, thank god for second opinions. And it was never about you doing something wrong honey, it was about crap luck. (I hope that's not a dumb-ass comment).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. you are to spot on to ever say anything dumbass. but even so... sarah, i did lots of dumbass...but i am not a dumb ass. what is the quote... I am guilty but it is not my fault.

      Delete
  7. Second (and third) opinions are what saved me years ago from having Youngest sent to a mental hospital at FOUR years old, for what as it turned out, was nothing more than a food allergy.

    So glad you got yours. And now that the fight is in you, I am ever more confident that you'll be fine.

    Not that this will even be an issue for you, but when my friend's mom had Catstir, and was told she'd have to lose them both, she opted for reconstruction which surprised us all. Turns out, she was tired of sporting her DDD's and went with a nice set of perky C's. Seriously, after three kids, she could finally leave the house without a bra! <--- OK... there's your new crap comment. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm also looking at a double mastectomy. it's what I want. and yes, reconstructive surgery

      Delete
  8. Damn you're funny. If humor is the great medicine then you may be the cure for catstir. And to think they thought it was going to be a drug! I saw this woman live. I think this is a short version, but you'll get the gist. I see you, I see her...same ring, same spirit. Fight Monkey, and we'll fight with you.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_yivlcCpB4

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'll watch it but why don't I know when I'm funny anymore?

      Delete
  9. I know you're a fighter and I send you all my fighting energy too. Glad you're now getting care in a place that is competent.

    I feel like I can't express my concern enough. You're making a difference in my life and strangely I'm understanding my mother a little better. She had catstir, a mastectomy many years ago. After all these years, I think I'm grasping what she must have gone through.

    Love you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Myrna.. really? that really feels good. although I doubt your mother was as unstable as I!

      In my mind, I see followers tuning out... this, THIS monkey tale is wayyyy to depressing! thanks for sticking with me.

      Delete
  10. Replies
    1. I am putting the report, along with the doctors signature in a fire proof box. saving for a rainy day. I hate the idea of a lawsuit, but I will do what needs to be done if need be.....(not that I have any idea what that is at this point or possibly in the future)

      Delete
  11. Who better to advocate for your good care than YOU? Very smart to get that second opinion, and I trust that you'll continue being smart. Stay mad, too, and keep fighting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. its like a roller coaster ride and I have never liked roller coaster rides... hell, I don't even like the "its a small world after all " ride.

      Delete
  12. Huh. Not bright enough to be shocked. There's a pun there somewhere. I hate puns.

    I had a thirty pound cat once. Never had to dust mop the floors. I think that's why he was thirty pounds. Mostly hairballs.

    Some Dr.s are dumber'n a Yugo full of anvils.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hope you at the very least, did my obit outline!

      Delete
  13. FINALLY I can comment! keep at it Shannon!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. what happened! what was the major shift! GREAT ... Wander is here!

      Delete
  14. freaking doctor... you always have to watch what they're doing. Good for you for getting a second opinion. Keep 'em on their toes, Shannon! Will keep you in my thoughts tomorrow and every day.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I don't have the energy to post, but I'm home now... I was feeling good for a while there but now I'm back to loathing being needy, weak, less of the woman that I was. I want my spunk and spit back.

    physical pain feels secondary to mental pain...

    ReplyDelete
  16. Shannon, I hope you have someone going with you to the appts.-there is so much info. thrown at you regarding the tests, location of disease, gene detection, treatment, etc. I went to everyone one of my sister-in-law's appts and took notes and we went over everything after each appt. and compared notes. It really helped get everything straight and appropriate questions answered later with (Johns Hopkins in Baltimore)Drs. and Phys. Assts. so she could make the right decision for herself. Her husband was not available and I was and we made a day of it w/lunch or dinner -- and I think I could talk enough to keep her mind off herself for awhile (ya think??) Anyway, Take a buddy...it helps from what I hear.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes and I recorded the conversation. and I've done so much research at this point that my head is spinning. I'm also talking to BC survivors. via discussion groups and in person.

      Delete
  17. A second opinion is a VERY good idea. I wish I had known this. I am glad you do.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for encouraging my JOY of writing. By reading and commenting you are feeding my soul, stroking my heart, and in the end...making me a better writer.

Thank You For Encouraging My Joy of Writing

Thank You For Encouraging My Joy of Writing
greenmonkeytales@live.com

Shannon E. Kennedy

***

Photo by Joan Harrison