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My journey started with an abnormal mammogram, and six months later another abnormal mammogram with Dr. Brian Jennings telling me I needed to see a surgeon. I was referred to a specialist by someone I trusted this doctor is in Little Rock. She described the problem area as a constellation, and we will observe this.
Six months later, now a year and a half past the first abnormal mammogram, it's mammogram time again. Dr. Jennings was very insistent that this is a problem. He had questions on why I haven't had this taken care of. I relayed what the Little Rock specialist recommended. Apparently, he strongly disagreed with her and felt something more must be done. It became obvious to me that I had not talked to the right doctor.
I spoke with Dr. Lewis Porter that day. I told him what was going on, and now the ball was rolling. He agreed with Dr. Jennings, first a stereotactic linear biopsy was done and pre-cancerous cells were found. Then I scheduled a lumpectomy with Dr. Porter but a needle Loc was needed to be done by Dr. Jennings to exactly locate that constellation that had been growing in my breast. When these three procedures were finished, I was referred to Dr. Marianne Harrington. I'll never forget her saying well it's obvious Lewis didn't want to tell you, but you now need radiation. The 20 radiation visits did take a toll, fatigue and not to mention burns (by the way, the best way to treat those burns is a cheap aloe leaf from the grocery store that is kept in the fridge).
My overall recommendation is to always rely on physicians that you know and trust. I was fortunate that I had a history with Dr. Porter having scrubbed with him for years. Why the breast specialist was delaying my care I can't imagine. Four years later I am still doing my yearly checks at Saline Memorial, and am proud to say I AM A SURVIVOR OF BREAST CANCER!