Not sure what to do about long wait time to surgery.

MoonRabbit

Hi, I have had a number of delays from DX of "almost stage 0" IDC/DCIS/AHD in my right breast to scheduling surgery and am now reconsidering my options.

Option 1 (Preferred, but may be > 10 weeks since DX): Mercy Medical Dr. Friedman/Dr. Chang for MX of right breast with DIEP flap reconstruction. Consult is 6/16/15 (8 weeks post DX).

Option 2 (No more waiting, get it out sooner) Surgery locally for MX of right breast with Tissue Expander, then Delayed DIEP flap in the future.

Any opinions, or issues for my consideration? I am going crazy with not having enough information to make an informed choice. The problem is that each consult takes another week away and then I need another consult. If I get to the 6/16 consult and they then schedule me a month later I don't know what I'll do.

My journey so far:

3/30 Screening Mammograms microcalcifications

4/6 More Mammograms confirmed microcalcifications

4/15 Stereotactic Biopsy 2 locations

4/21 ADH in site 1, IDC grade 1 1mm and DCIS grade 1 in site 2; ER+, PR+, HER2-, Ki67 <10%

4/30 MRI

5/5 MRI Biopsy left breast came back negative

Plus lots of consults.

I_Spy

Hi MoonRabbit: I'm concerned about giving my opinion because it seems it should be a medical opinion; however, generally bc is not an emergency and is slow growing, so go with your preferred choice. They are all saying MX though? I guess cuz of the variety and location of the bc in the affected breast? And have they said if it is safe to wait?

MoonRabbit

Hi ispy,

Thanks for replying.  Basically it is two biopsied spots of over five multifoci microcalcifications that are far apart, and if everything is removed in between it still may not get it all, and it is more than a quadrant so it will not be a good result to try for just a lumpectomy.  Part of the delay was getting two opinions on this, and I'm confident that the surgery is the best way to go. 

The response I have gotten from the BS regarding the wait is underwhelming.  Even though it took three weeks for the initial consult with one of them (I had two opinions), she is saying that four weeks is the standard of care between DX and surgery, and she cannot say whether waiting longer is OK or not.  Only will say that as soon as possible is the way to go.  Fearful statements such as "metastacies can occur even with early stage" only increases my anxiety.  And she took 4 days to return my previous call, which also extended the time to my next consult.  I know it is true, that sooner is better, but I am not considering just sitting around and waiting for no reason, or going on vacation.  I have no choice while waiting to see the most appropriate surgeon for my reconstruction. 

OK it felt good to vent.  I realize nobody can predict what will happen, but perhaps there are some women who have waited and can provide their experiences or outcomes to help me decide. 

shelleym1

I had one lump so I had a lumpectomy but I had to wait from 12/1 diagnosis to 1/12 for surgery. Felt like eternity. I wanted it out the week of my diagnosis but that didn't happen. They said it's not considered an emergency and won't grow in that time frame.

MoonRabbit

Hi shelleym1,

Thanks for posting. I found a website that said the average time between diagnosis and surgery is 41 days, which sounds like your situation. Waiting is very hard! Must have put a big damper on your holidays. I decided last night to go with my option 2, but this morning I'm still not sure. Ugh!