Posts by Grace Cruz87

So, they finally let my mom come home. The lump was removed, though the surgeon mentioned he had to take out some surrounding tissue as well. He also cleared away a spot on her breast while he was at it... He said we should have the pathology results back in about 7 to 8 days. Now, I suppose all that's left is the waiting.

Angela Wright said:A doctor making claims like that just isn't being serious, and honestly, I doubt they're even a specialist. Without a pathology report analyzing the tissue after surgery, it’s impossible to give an accurate diagnosis or claim whether something is malignant or benign.
It could be anything, even a benign lipoma, but you won't know for sure until after the procedure.
I'd suggest the mother doesn't worry too much ahead of time; stressing out like this isn't going to help at all. Once the results come back, then you can deal with the reality of the situation, whether it's malignant or benign. You can't solve problems by guessing or jumping to conclusions.
And she should know that regardless of what it turns out to be, cancer isn't a death sentence. It's a fight, and more people are winning that fight today than ever before.

Thanks for the response.... my mom has been through it all before, she's always been a fighter. I remember how well she handled her thyroid surgery; the doctor told us later that her energy and positive mindset did 90% of the work during her recovery.... and don't even get me started on how the hospital in Miami sent us to a psychiatrist instead of actually running the tests to figure out how many nodules there were and what kind they were😲... eventually, once we managed to get her to the Mayo Clinic, they operated on her the very next day.... a few months later, we ran into that doctor in town, and when she asked my mom how she was doing, Mom couldn't take it and snapped back that she had just returned from a mental asylum.... I suppose there are unprofessional people in every field... but encountering someone like that in medicine, where lives are literally on the line, is something else.... you just have to keep a cool head.... she has two appointments scheduled with surgery in two weeks... I just pray to God that everything goes well, and if we have to fight, we're ready.👍

Hi everyone, I’m posting here for the first time. My mom has developed this lump on her foot—right between the ankle and the foot—that’s incredibly hard. The skin over the mass looks really tight and, honestly, pretty unpleasant, with this reddish-purple tint. Her doctor referred her to a surgeon, and they’re actually going to remove it today. I was wondering if anyone knows what the typical next steps look like after a procedure like this? Some well-meaning people we spoke to suggested it might be metastases 😕😕... as if avoiding the topic makes it any less real, but we aren't stalling anymore. We’ve decided to move forward with the removal, so... I guess we'll just have to see how it goes 😢.... On top of that, she noticed this spot on her chest, almost like a mole, but it’s orange and has these irregular edges. Her doctor told her straight away that it looks like skin cancer and needs to be removed as well, so she's facing two procedures today. What’s really bothering me is how a doctor can be so certain and deliver such a heavy diagnosis right then and there. It completely rattled my mom. And more than anything, it's just hard seeing her so anxious; I get this nagging feeling that she's already accepted the worst. About ten years ago, she had her thyroid removed because it was full of benign nodules, and she’s always been such a fighter, but now... I don't know, it feels like she's flagging. I’m just not sure how to help her or what I should even be doing.

Hey everyone. It’s been over a year since I first posted here. Back in February of last year, I finally went through with my rhinoplasty at Vinogradski under Dr. Ivkić. I had wanted this surgery for so long; I used to be pretty miserable about how my nose looked. It wasn't exactly a disaster, but it definitely took a toll on my self-confidence—I guess my headspace played a big part in that. Now, looking back about a year and a half later, I can honestly say I was incredibly lucky. Everything went perfectly, from the actual procedure to the recovery process. It all unfolded exactly as it should have. My nose turned out just the way it was meant to look (I used to have a bump, and the tip was shaped a bit like a potato :-P ). He straightened everything out and reshaped the tip beautifully. I actually get the feeling that as time passes, it keeps looking better—it seems a bit narrower and more refined every day. I'm genuinely happy with the results... and honestly, it feels like things have finally clicked into place mentally, too. Everything just feels right now. As for the surgeon, I am extremely satisfied with Dr. Ivkić. For me, the experience was flawless. Of course, choosing which doctor to go with is a deeply personal decision, and what works for me might be different for someone else. I had heard good things about him beforehand, so I chose him to play it safe. It worked out great for me, but I don't want to tell anyone else what to do. You really have to think long and hard when picking a surgeon; you need to keep your eyes wide open and do your homework. Wishing you all the best of luck!

I guess I’ll weigh in too... it’s been a little over six months since my surgery and I am honestly beyond satisfied. It actually feels like as time goes by, my nose looks better and better. Of course, there's no more 😁 and I can breathe perfectly fine, all five airways are clear... the only thing is that it still hurts when I touch it. It’s not intense pain, but the area around the bridge and the tip is still pretty sensitive. If I had known this was how the process would go, I wouldn't have waited ten years 😉... there was minimal bruising, recovery was great, and after about ten days, I felt like a new person
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placidwolf43 said:Are you seriously suggesting that Dr. Ivkin is actually any good? I don't know. Maybe I'm being too cynical, but I just can't wrap my head around that assessment.👍

I ended up seeing him based on a recommendation from my son-in-law, who had an incredible experience—the surgeon basically rebuilt his nose from scratch after a car accident left him with nothing but basic nasal structures. Everything else was just a mess. In my opinion, he was truly fantastic. He took the time to answer every single question I threw at him. He isn’t one of those doctors who acts like they're infallible, nor is he the type who just churns out the exact same look for every patient. He actually listened to what I wanted. I also had this tiny little skin tag removed—nothing major—but the nurse mentioned that the final aesthetic really does depend heavily on the surgeon's touch. I don't want it to sound like I'm trying to promote someone or anything like that here; I just genuinely wanted to share how happy I am. Honestly, I couldn't be more satisfied with the results or how the recovery has gone. At least, that's how it feels to me. And the best part? It was all covered by my insurance, so I didn't have to pay a single cent. Hehehe.👍👍

I figured I’d chime in here too... It’s been nearly six weeks since my surgery, and honestly, I couldn't be happier with the results. At first, there was quite a bit of swelling, and it felt really strange trying to get used to my new look (for context, I used to have a prominent hump and a bulbous tip). Now, the bridge looks much slimmer, the tip is just a tiny bit—and I mean tiny—lifted, and that hump is completely gone. Everything looks smooth and balanced, both from the front and in profile. It’s still a little sensitive at the bridge and the tip, but that seems to be fading a bit more every day. My doctor suggested I start some light nasal massages after four weeks, so I’ve been doing that daily. He performed the procedure exactly how we discussed, and everything went incredibly smoothly. I had the surgery at Vineyard Hospital under Dr. Ivkin.

Maria Diaz79 said:Grace Cruz87, how long has it been for you? And do you have a bump on the bridge of your nose?

I actually had my surgery last Tuesday, so it’s only been about ten days. My nose is still swollen—nothing crazy, I guess—but it feels like the area right at the bridge is a bit more puffed up than the rest. I could swear there’s a little bump there and maybe a hint of bruising, but my husband keeps insisting he doesn't see anything. My doctor also mentioned there isn't really a bump, just that it’s normal since they worked most heavily in that specific spot, and everything should settle down in a week or two. I don't know, I feel something when I touch it... or maybe I don't... it just looks a little bluish to me.

I finally took the bandage off and had my stitches removed yesterday. Honestly, everything feels great—I’m actually really happy with how it looks. Of course, there's still some swelling, but it’s mostly smooth now; that weird little bump on the tip of my nose is gone, and I think it looks wonderful. The tip is still pretty sensitive, but I suppose I just have to be patient and let things settle into place over time.
@Jesse Taylor7, I suspect it’s probably just lingering swelling, so don't sweat it too much. I’m sure it’ll all turn out fine :-), since my doctor mentioned yesterday that it takes about six weeks to see the actual final result.....

Bryan Gomez27 said:Grace Cruz87, what was it you had surgery for again? I think it was some issues with your nose?

I had a deviated septum, and they actually ended up doing a reconstruction on my crooked nasal bone along with narrowing the nasal passages via RF submucous resection... I guess I was bracing myself for the absolute worst, but honestly, things couldn't have gone any better. I just hope I'll feel this same level of satisfaction once all the swelling finally goes down...🙂

I figured I should jump in here since I just wrapped up my own nose job. Honestly, it wasn't nearly as bad as people make it out to be. I woke up from general anesthesia feeling totally fine, and there’s really no pain to speak of. Even getting the packing removed was surprisingly painless and over in a heartbeat. I honestly can't find a single thing to complain about—not the staff at Mayo Clinic, not the accommodations, and certainly not the way my nose looks (so far, anyway, haha). I just got home from the hospital, so I'm going to go try to get some rest. There's almost no swelling, and I have this tiny little bruise near my eye that you can barely even see. I guess I'm actually pretty happy with how everything turned out!

Thanks so much for getting back to me so quickly. To be honest, she’s terrified of even touching it because a friend of hers had a similar growth removed from her arm, and she passed away less than three months later. They mentioned that these kinds of growths on the extremities can sometimes be linked to lung cancer... and her grandmother actually died from lung cancer. I know I probably sound a bit irrational, both my mom and I, and we're fully aware of how this sounds, but we're just really scared right now.

That’s great, I’m really glad to hear you’re happy with how things turned out.

Hi everyone, I’m hoping someone might be able to offer some perspective here. My mom found this little lump—it’s hard, a bit larger than a pea, and the skin turns red when you touch it. It’s started getting uncomfortable whenever she tries to put on her shoes. Her surgeon is pushing for an excision (because, let’s face it, that’s usually all surgeons 😁 want to hear), but her primary care physician—who, frankly, seems totally indifferent to her concerns—is saying she shouldn't touch it at all and that it's nothing to worry about. A few years back, my mom had surgery on her thyroid; it was riddled with cysts, so they ended up removing everything during a procedure in Washington, D.C. Back then, this same doctor insisted my mom was just imagining things, only for my mom to end up in surgery four days later after I practically dragged her to Washington, D.C. for a second opinion. I'm wondering what you all think. Since this doctor won't even write a referral for further testing (like a biopsy or something similar), does anyone know of a good private clinic or specialist we could visit? Also, if anyone knows which specific tests we should request, that would be great. I just want to get her some answers so she can stop worrying. Thanks in advance!

Emily Campbell36 said:Is that just for function, or does it include the cosmetic side too?

Well, I have a deviated septum, and I recently found out I can get the surgery covered by Medicare at no cost to me. Since I broke my nose back in the day—it’s not exactly a disaster, I’ve seen much worse 😁—it’s mostly about my profile. That little bump and that tiny 'lump' on the tip have always bothered me... I asked the surgeon if he could touch up the aesthetics while he was at it, and he said he could. So, here we go... just two more weeks until the big makeover. 😂

Grace Hernandez66 said:Just stay brave. In most cases, everything turns out fine—unless you’ve spent hours digging through every single post from girls who have already gone through this, in which case you pretty much know what to expect. For me, those threads were my only way to find some footing; without them, I think I would’ve had a heart attack both before and after the surgery.🙂So, who did you end up choosing?

Initially, I was leaning toward Glumičić, but I eventually moved on from that idea. Then, by total chance through a friend, I found my way to Dr. Ivkica over at Mount Sinai, and I was honestly really impressed with him (it also helped that he did an amazing job on her nose 😁 )... so, after two consultation appointments, I finally have my surgery date scheduled 👋 ..... I’ve read everything there is to read, and what’s keeping me sane is the realization that it (in most instances) isn't actually that terrifying. You deal with a little discomfort, but it's worth it in the end.....

It looks like you guys have all gone through this already, while I’m still just sitting here waiting. I had my final consultation yesterday, and they gave me an appointment for February 3rd... ugh. I was really hoping it would be sooner, but I guess that’s not happening. Now I just have two more weeks of constant worrying ahead of me.

Laura Castillo7 said:Hey ladies, what kind of tests should I get done before surgery?

When I went through it, I did a full blood panel and a urinalysis, then checked my blood type along with some other minor stuff at the transfusion lab (I can't quite recall everything the doctor ordered there 🙂), followed by a chest X-ray for my heart and lungs. After that, I took all those results to an internist so they could run an EKG and write up a formal clearance... I guess I hope I didn't miss anything important 😁

Thanks for the updates, Jerry Torres7. You’re honestly keeping us from spiraling into a total panic here 🙂 .....so you're saying the root is really swollen? Hmm... I guess that's what they told me might happen after my collarbone fractured 🙂

I know this is a bit of a long read, but I think it’s actually pretty useful. :-))) Thanks a million for sharing your experience. I already have a specific surgeon in mind that I want to go with, though I have to admit, I'm feeling a little bit of those pre-op jitters... but hopefully, everything turns out just fine.