Forum Discussion

eddiek's avatar
eddiek
Member
13 years ago

feedback re surgeon

Hi lovely ladies

My name is Kylie, I am 39yrs old, two children and a hubbie.  I was diagnosed last week with invasive carcinoma (of 'no type'), Grade 2 - tumour size 2.5 x 2.4 x 2.2..so decent size!? 

At this stage I am wondering if anyone out there went through a surgeon (public system) called Dr Tim Elston (Cairns based) and what your feelings are about his treatment.  If he reads this I hope he doesn't mind me asking but I don't want to just get pushed through a system because they think we don't/can't make it happen through a more skilled surgeon.  We will sell what we need to if it means paying for a better surgeon.

Just a quick one and appreciate anything anyone can tell me, thank you

kind regards

Kylie

7 Replies

  • eddiek's avatar
    eddiek
    Member
    13 years ago

    Hi Tonya, thank you for saying hi and sharing your knowledge.  Surgery next Wed, so just hoping like everyone else the results of that indicate it was only in my breast.

    Many good vibes to you also xo  Thanks again.

  • eddiek's avatar
    eddiek
    Member
    13 years ago

    Thank you Louie, appreciate your advice.  You look so beautiful though, hard to imagine you have been through what you have.  Not sure I will be looking as good!  Best of luck and hope your journey is over asap! xo

  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    13 years ago

    Sorry about your bc diagnosis but welcome to this network. Your question was about your proposed surgeon.I can't help you as I live in Sydney but you could talk to a breast care nurse if your hospital has one.You could also ask the surgeon if he has photos of his"work".You could also contact a breast cancer support group if there is one in your area.They will soon tell if he is a good surgeon or not.You can check on this network for support groups.I'm sure there would be one in Cairns.By the way,my first bc lump was 2cm(2003) and my second time(same breast in 2010) it was 3cm. I'm doing fine now.

                                                Tonya xx

  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    13 years ago

    Sorry about your bc diagnosis but welcome to this network. Your question was about your proposed surgeon.I can't help you as I live in Sydney but you could talk to a breast care nurse if your hospital has one.You could also ask the surgeon if he has photos of his"work".You could also contact a breast cancer support group if there is one in your area.They will soon tell if he is a good surgeon or not.You can check on this network for support groups.I'm sure there would be one in Cairns.By the way,my first bc lump was 2cm(2003) and my second time(same breast in 2010) it was 3cm. I'm doing fine now.

                                                Tonya xx

  • LouiseTurner's avatar
    LouiseTurner
    Member
    13 years ago
    My tumours were grade 2 multi focal, 2cm and 1.5 cm, plus several areas DCIS discovered with MRI. If you click on my name you can read all about my experience. Should be details of the pathology there. I was diagnosed June 2012. Sounds like a long ime go now, but till in treatment and my 4th surgery next Friday. Cheers Louie
  • eddiek's avatar
    eddiek
    Member
    13 years ago

    Hi Louise, wow that was so quick, thank you for taking the time to reply to me and for the words of encouragement to keep looking and only expecting the best (well as good as I can) folk to make me better.  I sincerely hope your results come back as: lymph nodes clear; tumour completely eradicated!  Mine are going to read the same after surgery!  Can I ask what size your tumour was at initial diagnosis please?..xo

  • LouiseTurner's avatar
    LouiseTurner
    Member
    13 years ago
    Sorry you are joining us on this forum. I did not have this surgeon and it appears he only works in the public hospital in Cairns. I live in a regional area of NSW and found I was only really given the choice of local surgeons initially, until I became savy of the system. Its not that they weren't skilled enough, in fact the breast surgeon I had was great, but when it came to reconstruction they simply did not offer what I wanted locally. So I shopped around until I found the surgeon I wanted for the procedure I wanted. I went totally public. To go public shouldn't mean we are given second best treatment or procedures or benefit from lower level skills. I did have to travel to Sydney for the surgery, mainly to have access to the microsurgical facilities, in fact I have a online friend who travelled to Sydney from Coffs Harbour for the same surgeon. The advice I was given was to go to surgeons who have done the procedures multiple times. I did feel initially when seeing surgeons that the assumption was made that I perhaps did not have the means to pay for MRI for example, or the recon I wanted. But like you, i was prepared to do or sell what it took to get the outcomes I felt were important for me and my family. Good luck, shop around till you find what you are looking for. I used my GP to give me referrals to the doctors I wanted to see. Xxxlouie