How long is this going to take?!

ilovepugs

(Feel free to read this with a whine in your voice, the tone in which it was written)

I need to vent tonight. I am so ready to begin treatment and I feel like things aren't moving quickly enough. Am I too impatient or is this a little much? 

After my diagnostic mamm & ultrasound I was referred to a general surgeon who told me on July 8th that the lump in my left breast is cancerous or pre-cancerous and that there was some suspicious findings in the right breast. I had 3 biopsies and an MRI between July 17th and Aug 1st. My follow-up appt. to learn the results wasn't until Aug 18th. I just couldn't stand the waiting any longer, so I went and saw my GP on Aug 11th to get the news. 

In my appt with the general surgeon on the 18th, she advised me that we would start with neoadjuvant chemo and radiation followed by mastectomy of the left breast. She then asked me if I'd had a CT scan yet, like I was in charge of ordering tests for myself. So I went and had one and met with the oncologist on the 27th.  He reiterated what the surgeon said, and advised that the CT showed a small spot on my liver (nothing to worry about, of course) they'd have to take another look at by ultrasound. He also said we'd do an ultrasound on my remaining ovary (my left was removed with a fibroma tumour in 2010) and a bone scan and a heart scan. Today was my last scan....for the time being. I see the surgeon and the oncologist next week again.

I guess I just want to hear from others that it's supposed to take this long to beginning treatment. I know they're being prudent by ordering tests, but jeez louise, can we get a move on?

PoppyK

Hi Pugs,

I'm anxious to get things going, too. I don't like to sit and wait. I want to take action and get on with it!

Everyone's treatment plan is different. I was diagnosed in May, had surgery in July. Followed by more scans and time for healing. Now I am waiting to get my chemo port installed and get started on chemo. During this time, I have watched women on this board have biopsies, get diagnosed, have surgery, and start chemo... so much faster than me! It adds to my anxiety. I guess I'm trying to say I understand what you are saying!

You might check out the Canadian topic. One of my Canadian friends says she thinks it takes her longer to get appts for tests and to see the doctors.

I didn't read your post with a whiny voice, but your comment made me smile!

ilovepugs

Thanks for your response and your understanding, Poppy. I will search the Canadian strings for more info. ~ Christine

hyphencollins

Hi. I'm in the US and also have had frustrations with how long things take.  I was diagnosed mid May and didn't have surgery until July 31.  Chemo will start either the end of Sept or the beginning of Oct.  My providers have assured me there is no harm with the delays although I will say my cancer was low grade and the tumor were only about 1 cm each.  Do you know the grade of your cancer?  

ilovepugs

Hi Hyphencollins, the path report says the tumour is 4.7cm, grade 3 (architecture 3, nuclear 3, mitosis 3); however, the general surgeon, when explaining how staging is completed, told us the tumour was T2. I'm not sure if these are two different classifications...or if they're the same thing. I'm going to clarify this when I see her next week. 

ilovepugs

Thanks KayB! The surgeon did explain the TNM grading system to me, but what I'm curious about is the pathology report grading...I didn't look at the report until we left her office, so I didn't get a chance to ask what the difference is between the two classification systems, if any.

ilovepugs

Thanks for the link to that great resource, kayb! So very helpful to me and much appreciated!

jetgal23

I was dx in late April, had surgery in mid-June and started chemo on August 13th. It seemed to take forever to get tested and results and then meet with doctors, but it sounds like it is not that unusual.  Enjoy your good days...I'm missing how I felt before chemo but can't wait until all this treatment is over!  Good luck to you...

ilovepugs

Good advice and perspective, jetgal! I will focus on enjoying myself before the chemo starts! 

I just took a look at your etsy shop; your pottery is fabulous and those yarn bowls are ingenious!