Veteran here and I'm in the hurry up and wait mode.....

texaspride35

I didn't feel like reading through all the topics so, I'll ask here...I'm a veteran and I was diagnosed with IDC on May 15....On May 28, I had a biopsy done on my lymph nodes and I'm still waiting and for what I'm waiting on, I really don't know...

My question is: are there any veterans here that's been diagnosed (past or current) that had to go through their VA facility and if so, how long was your process to hear something or better yet, having your appointment with the oncologist? I can't get any cooperation from my PA and panic and stress mode is settling in...I don't know anything this if this is normal procedure so, any information to can give me will be greatly appreciated...

Kicks

I am a Veteran and all of my IBC care was outsourced to local facilities.

I have a FANTASTIC PA who is always on top of everything. It took me a week to see her when I found the node enlarged literally overnight (she was on vacation). I saw her at 11 that Thurs morning and she had me to the local Radiology Clinic for a new mammo at 1 that afternoon, which turned immediately into also an US and biopsies. The next morning at 8 the Radiologist called me with the path. report - IBC. VA got me into a very good local Womans Surgeon on that Mon, that Wed saw the Radiation Oncologist and on Thurs saw the Medical Oncologist (both at the local Cancer Center). Rapidly there were a lot of scans and tests and all were outsourced to locals. It was 17 days between DX and starting neoadjuvant chemo.

During the,time I was in active TX the only 2 things that VA insisted on doing was that they would send me my oral pre and post infusion meds instead of the Center suppling them. I also had to go to the VA facility the day after the A/C (neoadjuvant) as on that too they insisted they would do it. Everything else was outsourced.

There are some differences between us - I'm IBC. IBC is aggressive/rapid and a day can be critical. If I remember correctly from your previous posts, you are at a large VA - I'm at a small one. Can make differences.

Your time frame with IDC does not sound a lot different than I seen other IDCs say.

Have you gone to Patient Affairs? If not - DO.

texaspride35

Hi Kicks and that you for your response...I am going to be outsourced (I do know that much)...

Update: I called the Rose (where I get my mammograms and my biopsy was done there) and the doctor that performed my biopsy was just as concerned that I haven't heard anything...Well, I guess she must have call my PA and got chewed someone out because I just got a call from the director of the VA Women's Center and was told that my test results was going to be referred today to the oncologist and surgeon that will be seeing me and now, the ball is rolling...I think it's a damn shame thought that it took that for the fire to be lit up under them because I shouldn't have had to go though that...My issue the whole time was me not knowing anything thing and if I wouldn't have put that call in today, I'd still be waiting...

Damn shame...