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	April 19, 2010 HVRA Teams Up with Yale Diagnostic Radiologists to Enhance Subspecialty Expertise Learn more... April 12, 2010 HVRA’s New Milford Office Now Offering Diagnostic Ultrasound Learn more...

WHAT OUR PATIENTS SAY
Patricia Wilkes' Testimonial

Patricia Wilkes I remember my first visit to the Housatonic Valley Radiology office in Southbury. I was going for my annual mammogram, and naturally, I was a little nervous. I had been getting annual mammograms faithfully for the past 10 years, but this was my first visit to this facility.

When I walked through the doors, I was pleasantly surprised. The receptionist greeted me as soon as I entered, and immediately I felt at ease. It was not the typical office and waiting area. The reception-waiting area was a large, tastefully decorated room with soft lighting, comfortable chairs, and current magazines. Needless to say, all of this made this year's annual mammogram a pleasant experience.

I convinced my sister to come with me for a mammogram, and promised her a manicure if she went. That was four years ago, and every year since then we have our "M&M" day. It is something we both look forward too.

The best part of the mammogram experience is when you receive that letter in the mail from the office saying that all is well and "see you next year!"

This year the note didn't come for me. I had my mammogram on a Friday, and received a call from HVRA on Monday telling me that my radiologist, Dr. Conrad Ehrlich, had reviewed my films and wanted me to return for additional, magnified views of my left breast. I was very impressed by how fast HVRA responded after the first exam, and also the fact that Dr. Ehrlich made sure he would be available for my follow-up exam.

In comparing my previous year's films with the most recent views, Dr. Ehrlich detected some changes. Apparently there was a new region of irregularly branching micro calcifications in the left breast that was not showing on last year's films. With the magnified views, these micro calcifications and branching were more defined. I know this because Dr. Ehrlich showed me my films and explained them to me the day the magnified mammogram was done.

Dr. Ehrlich also explained to me that I had very dense breasts and that this increase in the irregular micro calcifications could just be part of that, or it could be the very early stages of breast cancer. Dr. Ehrlich sent a copy of his report to both my primary care physician and my OB/GYN, and advised me to call my doctors to see that the appropriate action was taken.

My physician determined that a biopsy needed to be performed. The day after the biopsy, my surgeon called to tell me that is was confirmed: I had breast cancer. Because my cancer was found so early, my surgeon recommended a lumpectomy, and I had my surgery shortly thereafter.

I truly believe that Dr. Ehrlich's dedication to his work saved my life. I told him so in a note that I sent to him along with a dozen long stemmed pink roses.

I also believe that it is the consideration and kindness of the entire staff at the Housatonic Valley Radiology office in Southbury that helps make a mammogram a pleasurable experience.

Patricia A. Wilkes
Southbury, CT
Breast Cancer Survivor

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