Lump - Chapter 4

Finding a doctor is not easy. For one thing, I'm not exactly sure what I'm looking for. Do I need to see a specialist? Do I need to see a surgeon? Do I go to a radiologist and just get the biopsy? Normally, I go through NYMag's best doctors and cross check it against the doctors who take my insurance. There's no category for "breast specialist" or "breast surgeon". There's OB/GYN - which could be anything from STDs to having a baby and there's Surgery which could be anything from plastic surgery to removing gallstones. I'd be calling surgeons and their assistants would say that they don't handle breast surgery. I was getting nowhere.

I almost blew off this coffee meeting and thank goodness S came looking for me. It turns out that S and her mother both had breast issues and she had a breast surgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering. The fact that Memorial Sloan Kettering is a CANCER CENTER really terrified me but as another friend put it, they would know what isn't cancer. The doctor there did not have any availabilities for a month but my friend would try and call her for me. It reminded me of the Sex and the City episodes where Samantha sat in the waiting room everyday.

I reached out to my Wellesley friend who worked at Memorial Sloan Kettering and she told me about a place that did needle and core biopsies.

Then my camp friend who's an OB/GYN referred me to a surgeon at Columbia - I called too late and will have to call tomorrow.

My cousin said her fiance who is an internal medicine doctor would be happy to consult so I will reach out to him later tonight.

Lastly, my doctor emailed back saying that she wanted me to see a specialist and the specialist would decide what biopsy to get. So I guess I'll be back on the phone trying to get an appointment with specialists tomorrow morning.

Everyone has been so great - offering great information, advice and support - even offering to go with me. I'm really blessed to have such a team on my side.