advice in retrospect?

From your experience, and in retrospect, should I be "waiting patiently" or "screaming and shouting"?

Should I be looking to have a second opinion with a second surgeon whilst I am waiting for the ultrasound biopsy?

Should I be asking to see the BEST surgeon even if the waitlist is longer or should I be seeing the QUICKEST surgeon?

I read on the internet somewhere that for a surgeon to have good results from sentinel lymph biopsies, he has to have done at least 30 with following full lymph node removal in order to doublecheck his expertise - otherwise he may have false negative results.

Would really like some input here from someone who has gone through this...mostly - should I be just relaxing or should I be shouting?

Thanks! Going nuts!

Kasey

Now, know that gma and barkyboys are both veterans who have been through this with many members and themselves as well.  I have too, and can tell you that confidence in the process is really helpful.  Having said that, the things the doctor told you about the biopsy sounds like he knows what he's talking about.  He sounds like he knows the process.  I had a needle-guided biopsy, and that was the true way to know what I had.  After my biopsy came back positive for cancer, I had opted to wait two weeks for that surgeon to return from a trip because I trusted him and had confidence in him, rather than try to get on someone elses schedule a few days earlier.  He said it wouldn't make a difference, and while I didn't TOTALLY believe that, I did trust and sure enough, my nodes came back negative, it didn't metastacize in those few days I waited.   

You'll wait for results too.  Feel free to post your worries and we'll be waiting with you. 

Good luck, and keep posting

Kasey, I too am waiting results.  I had a mammogram 5 years ago with microcalcifations, had stereotatic biopsy, found out it was precancer.  Now I'm waiting on results again from having more calcifations in same breast.
The emotional part of waiting is a true roller coaster, and having friends and family that are caring and understanding is helping me out alot. 
Not to mention ..  praying ....lots and lots of praying.  My prayers go out to you as well, and all others on this site.  I'm new here, and have found comfort in reading what others have to say.  My name is Lisa and I'm 37 with a family history of breast cancer.

Well, the best advice for me was to become pro-active. I finally got a call for the ultrasound-guided biopsy...went in and the tech did the initial ultrasound and the radiologist came in and told me I had been booked for the wrong type of biopsy for what I have!! He said I have no "mass" so the ultrasound-guided is not effective - that I now needed to be booked for a steriotactic needle biopsy in another department! Thank heavens I had gone and seen my GP by this time and asked for a second opinion...the appointment with the second surgeon was later the same day. Went and saw him... NIGHT AND DAY! The first surgeon's office didn't seem clean, the staff not friendly, the surgeon himself seemed distracted when he was seeing me, he disagreed with the mammogram people as to what should be done and then I didn't hear anything for 3 weeks before getting a call for the (wrong) biopsy. This new surgeon is closer to home, seems like a great guy, seems very competent, agreed with the mammogram people that I should have an excision biopsy (he said a needle biopsy will only tell us if I have cancer in a very tiny section...and I have a cluster of them...), said he can still do a primary node biopsy if needed after the excision biopsy (the first fellow said not)! I just have way more confidence in him and his staff - what a relief!!! I now have a surgeon that I feel good about and a good plan for "in case", have a date for June 18 for the excision biopsy, BW, EKG done, etc. already....and no more stress! I have the "best" surgeon rather than the "hopefully quickest" surgeon and I haven't stressed an iota since I met him!

And you know, the worst thing about the whole deal is that I was waiting to see how long it would take for the stereotactic to be booked and still hadn't heard anything (since the aborted ultrasound-guided on May 23) so I phoned the first surgeon's office yesterday and no...he hadn't heard anything about me needing anything new booked and the office staff seemed unconcerned - she said well, these things take time! So I told her I had switched surgeons anyway...thankyou very much!

It's all about TLC isn't it? It's all about feeling confident that you have a team working for you and you have a solid plan. Thanks so much for you support!

Kathy

What you are going through is perfectly normal.  It is a very anxious time waiting for the results, but at least you found a good surgeon.  That makes all the difference in the world.  I chose to share what I was going through with everyone in my life.  I know others who don't want to burden friends and family at times like this, but you need support and who better than them?  We each handle things in different ways and you will do what is best for you.  We are all here for you waiting to hear the news and hoping it's B9!  Either way, you will get through it.  We will hold your hand.