Mid-August At some point in mid-to-late August I was doing something routine like changing my shirt and felt a hard lump. I went to my Primary Care Doc, she confirmed it and sent me for a mammogram.
Friday September 2, I had a mammogram and ultrasound.
Friday September 9, I had another ultrasound and biopsy of the lump and a low compression mammogram. The doctor, Dr. Ott, who did the scan and biopsy said that the lump did not look like it was going to benign, and did I have a breast surgeon in mind. When I gave her the name of my breast surgeon of record, Dr. Pennanen, her face lit up, and she said, “Very good!” Make an appointment with her right away. So I did.
Tuesday September 13, Dr. Ott called me with the results of the biopsy saying that it was cancer and that she’d contact my primary care doc. Primary care doc did not respond to me – turns out Tuesday is her day off. There was no out of office message, two sessions of 1/2 hold each did not yield a human being. I called Dr. Pennanen’s office. A human being answered right away – they had not yet received the results but would inquire.
Wednesday September 13, Primary Care doc by Zoom at 3:30pm, The primary care doc sent me the lab results from the biopsy and we talked about where she should refer me.
Wednesday September 13, 4:00pm, Richard and I went to see Dr. Pennanen, She spent time with us explaining the stuff above called “technical stuff” and explained the course of treatment. After agonizing about going in-network using the referrals from Primary Doc, decided to go with Dr. Pennanen.