1. Ultrasound
*The moment I referred lumps to my ob-gyne, she requested ultrasound for it. It was not something to think twice about so I did it once.
At the Asian Breast Center, I laid down at the bed inside ultrasound room. The assistant cleaned the area with lumps and applied KY jelly.
Then came in the doctor who performed the ultrasound. She scanned the area guided with monitor. She then asked for its history. I was looking at her face and seems something I can't tell. Since the request is on stat I waited for the result.
The result indicates the lump is malignant and on birads 1 to 6, 6 as cancer, it was on 4.b that's why I was referred to surgeon at once. Tissue correlation was highly recommended.
2. Mammogram
*This time the surgeon check the lump as how my OB did. It was awkward this time as he is a male doctor. He was thinking on doing the biopsy already but I was thinking twice and asked him if there are other options. He said we could do the mammogram first but he seems to be assured the still biopsy needs to be done.
Still believing biopsy is not needed, I did the mammogram. Normally, it was done to female above 40 that's why there are lots of question and answer again before the procedure. I was thinking it was scary at first as what I heard from the elders it's like squeezing your breast to the most.
When I get in the waiting area, I was aked to change lab gown same during the ultrasound. Then the nurse gave me overview on what will be done. She cleanse it again and said we are now high tech and no more tear jerking machine to be used. I stood up in front of a big clinical machine, it still needs to press my breast but it doesn't hurt. It was just cold probably due to room temperature. Same result with Ultrasound as it was showing irregular dense mass measuring almost 4x3x3cm.
This procedure cost P 3,300 at Asian Hospital.
3. Core Biopsy Needle
*With biopsy, I asked oponions from multiple doctors and yet all of them were suggesting Core Biopsy Needle. Since this is not availabe in all hospital, I decided to go back at Asian Hospital after 3 months. At first, she was saying to check first if the lump shrink or may not need biopsy. But unfortunately it grew bigger. She explained yo me that if we'll ignore it more. The more it might cause health issues considering my age and my young family. So I was convinced to agree with the procedure.
The following are needed prior the said biopsy:
•Members Data Record
•Certificate of Contribution from Philhealth
•Request from doctor
•All other lab results
At the day of biopsy process, I was again asked to wear the lab gown and proceed at biopsy room this time. Again it was cleansed then they cover part of my body showing only the breast. I am awake but with anesthesia. I heard 5 shots as the doctor is explaining she needs that much to check more or less all the lump area. It was guided with monitor so I can see what she's doing inside. Then she requested for formalin. I heard their conversation whether it sink or float but was not able to hear tbe answer. The operation last for 30 minutes but 2 hours of recovery. My breast was fully covered with gauze and was advised to tighten the bra though when it was removed it just show a ballpen tip at the area of biopsy done. I was limited to carry on heavy items.
The result was released after 2 weeks as the week that follows biopsy is Holy Week. It prolong the agony but gave me ample time to pray more. I do have some worries because when I asked the assistant nurse if any of the samples sink, she said it was mixed. I research on it that if the sample float in formalin then it was just fatty tissue but if it sink, it will be disgnose.
And upon explaining to me the result, it was stage 0 CA, ductal carcinoma in situ. And a mastectomy is highly recommended.
This procedure costs P 19,572 still at Asian.
4. Cardio Clearance
*Having no choice but to follow doctor's recommendation, I worked on the other requirrments. And one of those is the Cardio Clearance.
I had it done at Healthway Festival Mall issued by an Asian Cardio doctor. Before the clearance was issued, the following were performed:
• Chest Imaging
• Electrcardigram (ECG)
• Hematology
• Blood Chemistry
• Immunology
All this cost P 3,ooo at Healthway plus P 1,100 for the Medical Certificate for cardio clearance.
Then came in the doctor who performed the ultrasound. She scanned the area guided with monitor. She then asked for its history. I was looking at her face and seems something I can't tell. Since the request is on stat I waited for the result.
The result indicates the lump is malignant and on birads 1 to 6, 6 as cancer, it was on 4.b that's why I was referred to surgeon at once. Tissue correlation was highly recommended.
2. Mammogram
*This time the surgeon check the lump as how my OB did. It was awkward this time as he is a male doctor. He was thinking on doing the biopsy already but I was thinking twice and asked him if there are other options. He said we could do the mammogram first but he seems to be assured the still biopsy needs to be done.
Still believing biopsy is not needed, I did the mammogram. Normally, it was done to female above 40 that's why there are lots of question and answer again before the procedure. I was thinking it was scary at first as what I heard from the elders it's like squeezing your breast to the most.
When I get in the waiting area, I was aked to change lab gown same during the ultrasound. Then the nurse gave me overview on what will be done. She cleanse it again and said we are now high tech and no more tear jerking machine to be used. I stood up in front of a big clinical machine, it still needs to press my breast but it doesn't hurt. It was just cold probably due to room temperature. Same result with Ultrasound as it was showing irregular dense mass measuring almost 4x3x3cm.
This procedure cost P 3,300 at Asian Hospital.
3. Core Biopsy Needle
*With biopsy, I asked oponions from multiple doctors and yet all of them were suggesting Core Biopsy Needle. Since this is not availabe in all hospital, I decided to go back at Asian Hospital after 3 months. At first, she was saying to check first if the lump shrink or may not need biopsy. But unfortunately it grew bigger. She explained yo me that if we'll ignore it more. The more it might cause health issues considering my age and my young family. So I was convinced to agree with the procedure.
The following are needed prior the said biopsy:
•Members Data Record
•Certificate of Contribution from Philhealth
•Request from doctor
•All other lab results
At the day of biopsy process, I was again asked to wear the lab gown and proceed at biopsy room this time. Again it was cleansed then they cover part of my body showing only the breast. I am awake but with anesthesia. I heard 5 shots as the doctor is explaining she needs that much to check more or less all the lump area. It was guided with monitor so I can see what she's doing inside. Then she requested for formalin. I heard their conversation whether it sink or float but was not able to hear tbe answer. The operation last for 30 minutes but 2 hours of recovery. My breast was fully covered with gauze and was advised to tighten the bra though when it was removed it just show a ballpen tip at the area of biopsy done. I was limited to carry on heavy items.
The result was released after 2 weeks as the week that follows biopsy is Holy Week. It prolong the agony but gave me ample time to pray more. I do have some worries because when I asked the assistant nurse if any of the samples sink, she said it was mixed. I research on it that if the sample float in formalin then it was just fatty tissue but if it sink, it will be disgnose.
And upon explaining to me the result, it was stage 0 CA, ductal carcinoma in situ. And a mastectomy is highly recommended.
This procedure costs P 19,572 still at Asian.
4. Cardio Clearance
*Having no choice but to follow doctor's recommendation, I worked on the other requirrments. And one of those is the Cardio Clearance.
I had it done at Healthway Festival Mall issued by an Asian Cardio doctor. Before the clearance was issued, the following were performed:
• Chest Imaging
• Electrcardigram (ECG)
• Hematology
• Blood Chemistry
• Immunology
All this cost P 3,ooo at Healthway plus P 1,100 for the Medical Certificate for cardio clearance.
