Taking too Long to see an Oncologist

jonimb

Hello all:

I was wondering how long it is taking for most women diagnosed with Breast cancer to see an Oncologist. I have to wait until Dec 22, and my mastectomy was way back in October.

Did anyone else have to wait two months in order to see an oncologist?

I guess I'm just starting to get worried. Thanks for any help here.

Joni

scarednancy

I was dx on 10/9, surgery on 11/8, saw a radiologist 11/28 and finally getting to see an oncologist tomorrow. It has seemed like a long wait.

fancy2

Depends on what your diagnosis was. I was diagnosed Dec 6, had a bilateral mastectomy Jan 11, and got to the first onc in February, the second onc in April and the third (the one I kept) in May. YMMV

DragonladyTina

I was diagnosed Dec 2/04, saw surgeon and plastic surgeon, had bone scan, chest xray, liver scan within 3 days of diagnosis. I had bilateral mast. Dec 21/04 and saw the Oncologist Jan 10th/05. I started chemo Jan 30th/05 so, all in all, pretty timely.
With all the complaints about health care here in Canada I have never had to wait for or pay for anything at all.

Tina

Sierra

Hello:

I just saw your post and am not here often
at this forum. Appreciate your concern, as
I remember calling the hospital when I was
out of the country re my onc visit.

Seems to me I did wait for a long time,
but I had requested a certain oncologist
(big waiting list) finally I did see him
and never was his patient
I had an excellent onc, and the other oncologist
ended up going to the U.S.

I would have to check my files to be precise
here, but believe it was a few months

Today, I am near 7 yrs,
Lord willing
and had a high grade, er-pr-
write if you need more detail

I send you healing and best wishes on
your journey.

You have to keep after them. PHone to make
sure .. everything is in order. They get busy
too.

Hugs

Ontario

I had my surgery January 12 and waited until March 22 to see an Oncologist. The wait times are horrid and I think part ofthat is just the sheer number of people with Breast Cancer. Waiting room was always packed solid when I was there.

Sherri-Canada

I had the ultrasound and mam on Dec.23, 2004 at 11:30 AM and I saw my oncologist the same day, my family doctor called him; he was at a lunch party, he came to see me at 1:30PM. If it's urgent they arrange it for you right away.

skirk

Hi Joni,
My surgery was October/04 and I didn't see my oncologist until December/04 and my chemo started Jan/05 at the Tom Baker. Do you know who your oncologist is yet?

baldeagle

Joni,

I didn't see my oncologist for almost 2 months post surgery - then things happened immediately. You will have great care at Tom Baker - one of the best in the country.

Have you heard of the doctors at breastcancersupportive care? Drs. Coulter and Lindsay. See if you can get to see one of them - they are truly supportive and have helped me walk through every part of my treatment journey. They are in the South Tower at Foothills. They are also really good about helping re wait times, etc.

Keep posting and let us know how you are.
Jeannette

Beesie

My surgery was Nov. 30th of last year and my appointment with my oncologist was January 2nd. I thought that was very reasonable, especially considering the holidays.

I do think that the wait times in Canada are generally a bit longer than they are in the U.S., but personally I've never found them to be unreasonable. Considering all the tests, surgeries and appointments I've had, and considering the high quality of care I've received, all at no cost to me, I'm willing to accept an extra few weeks wait for an appointment and an extra few days wait for my test results. I do think the wait times vary depending on where you live, but I think that's true in the U.S. too. I also think that cases that are really urgent probably get scheduled in sooner.

raluca63

I had the appointment with the surgeon March 15th and I'saw the oncologyst the same day at surgeon's request. My situation was really bad, because the tumor was 13 cm and I had many swollen nodes, so the surgeon didn't want to waste any precious time, as I was given neo adjuvant chemo before surgery. So, even if I live in Canada where thinks seeem to move a little slower than U.S., I haven't have to wait at all to see the oncologist.
As Beesie said, the cases which are very urent are looked after immediately or in a very short time.

Calipso

KBB

Hi Joni
I am in Sask. and am waiting to go to the Allan Blair Cancer center in Regina. I was Diagnosed Sept 20/06 and had my second surgery Nov. 7. Wide excision and nodes clear. Have to have radiation and maybe chemo depending on the grade. I am tired of waiting but they also took my little friends away "hormone replacement therapy" so the patience level isn't great. I cannot complain about my care at all. Anyone else from Sask. going to Regina? The waiting is the worst.
KBB

wallan

I had my mastectomy April 2, 2004... three days after I was told I had breast cancer. But then I didn't see an oncologist until June 7, 2004. I was told by my oncologist that you can safely wait up to three months after a mastectomy before you start chemo. I don't know how true this is .. but I bought it at the time.

Waiting sucks, doesn't it?

HUGS
Wendy A

Beverley

Yes, waiting does suck so I guess I am lucky in one sence that I didn't do much of it. The time frame from Mamo to biopsy, to lumpectomy, to scans, to chemo was exactly two weeks. This was in October 2004. I had already had my second chemo before Christmas. I am glad it moved quickly, it gave me less time to think.

Take care

Bev

sharon56

I was diagnosed with BC Oct 4/07 but did not see the oncologist until Dec . But did see the surgeon , had a biospy , chest x rays before . Surgery was done Oct 19th. i also had to have a colonoscopy after my BC surgery and found out I also had colon cancer that surgery was done nov 27th . The oncologist was the last Dr I had to see and she could not even say what chemo i needed until all the reports came back . I had my bone scan , CT heart tests and port catheter implanted while i was in the hospital for the colon cancer .
For me no problems with getting care I have been very blessed , thank god for small miracles as my colon cancer is only stage 2 and all i need further treatment for is the BC.
I also have the benefit at being so close to the best cancer centers .

Dragonfli

I had my core biopsy Sept 28/03, test results Oct 4th. I met my surgeon for a consult and chose lumpectomy with lymph node removal and had my surgery Ocotber 17th. I met my Onc Nov 13, and had my first chemo Nov 18/03. I remember thinking that the month between surgery and chemo semd like an eternity, and how dare they make me wait more then a week.!!
I soon relaized that you need those 3 - 4 weeks after surgery before starting chemo for your incisions to heal up properly.
I always recommend contacting your primamry physician and or your surgeon if you have any questions or concerns. Someone may have misplaced your requisit.
Also in Canada, contact Cancer Connections. Their number is 1 888 939-3333.

Hugss
barb
http://www.freewebs.com/bcdragonfly/