Meeting My Surgeon Finally
After a very long 3 weeks, I finally met Dahlia Sataloff and was duly impressed. I had heard she was very competent, knowledgeable, but not warm and fuzzy. I heard she was attractive and a great dresser. I went in with a lot of expectations.
First impression: She walked the patient before me and her family out of her office into the waiting room. I thought that was very warm, if not fuzzy. she then went back into her office for a few minutes and personally came out with a folder to get me. I think that is very warm and welcoming. I never went to a doctor who came into the waiting room to get me. A nurse or secretary always gets the patient to take you back. That is a very personal and friendly gesture. She is warm and fuzzy enough for me. She was caring and encouraging as well as efficient and smart.
She was wearing a great outfit and very stylish high heeled shoes. How does she walk in those shoes all day?? She definitely cares about fashion and is well put together!
She is very efficient and explains everything carefully. She was very optimistic about my case, barring any surprises in further testing. I have to get a bone scan, chest x-ray, MRI and blood work which someone in her office helped me schedule for July 2 and 3. I set the date for surgery for July 11. She made recommendations for a medical oncologist and an oncological radiologist. It is a lot to take in. I called the nurse navigator at Pennsylvania Hospital. They have many services to help you there. I think I will be using them as I get further into the process. I can see it becoming more and more overwhelming. Now I am still in denial. It is getting harder and harder to stay in denial. Reality seeps in more and more. Tests, doctors appointments, surgery… real life!! Cancer here you are front and center!!
toooldtodieyoungblog 
I sent you a message via Facebook – we have some friends in common. I will tell you that one year ago plus a few weeks on June 1st 2011, Dahlia Sataloff did my surgery. She not only got it all, but she and her office have helped shepherd me through this process. I think Dahlia is amazing, and what I did not know until AFTER my surgery is she is one of the best breast surgeons out there, period. I am wishing you the best today which I think might be your surgery day. One day at a time and listen to Dr. Sataloff :<}
PS LOL, Dr. Sataloff also wears beautiful jewelry. I can also tell you over a year later exactly what she was wearing the day of my surgery. I adore that woman and went to see her with no pre-conceived notions. She is, like many medical professionals, professionally reserved, but I have to tell you she called me personally the day my biopsy came back as breast cancer so I did not hear the news from anyone else. And she was clear across the country at a conference but did not want me to wait in addition to wanting to make sure I heard the news and would be able to handle it. After she told me she quietly said “we will get you through this.”
And she did.
I adore that woman and wish I could walk in heels as well as she does. I see her still as I am only a little over a year out from surgery. She does beautiful work and I had a partial mastectomy and have very minimal scarring. She won’t lie to you, and she plays it straight. You are literally in awesome hands.
amazing. carla! yes, she is the “it” breast surgeon in philadelphia!!