Has any one else had to wit a long time before treatment began?

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tgood02
tgood02 Member Posts: 26
edited June 2014 in Stage I Breast Cancer
Has any one else had to wit a long time before treatment began?
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  • tgood02
    tgood02 Member Posts: 26
    edited June 2010

    A mammogram found the cancer back in March. In April I had diagnostic mammogram and ultra sound. In May I had the biopsy, which came back IDC. In June tests are scheduled, a pet scan and MRI. I Have an appointment for July 1st with the surgeon. The surgeon's nurse told me that it would be another two weeks or so before the surgery. Is that normal? Does it usually take that long?

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  • angelwoman1
    angelwoman1 Member Posts: 27
    edited June 2010

    I was diagnosed on 5/12/10 and have went thru bone scan, ct scans,ekgs for the heart. They found something in the bronchial tube and had to have bronchialscopy done, results supposed to be today,and have had a port put in for the chemo. My treatment is supposed to start on this Thursday, I am like you just want to get this started!

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  • Luah
    Luah Member Posts: 1,541
    edited June 2010

    I suppose it depends on the facilties in your area and how quickly tests can be scheduled. I live in a major city, found my lump in August 2009, had diagnostic mammo almost immediately, then ultrasound and biopsy results within about 3 weeks (I was away on vacation for a week).   

    The waiting is the hardest part, to be sure!

    I'm not sure where you are located, but in Ontario the targeted standard of care is 28 days from cancer diagnosis (biopsy result) to surgery. Depending on the surgeon's schedule and operating facilities, that standard isn't always met, but mine sure tried to fit me in within a month and did.  

    Your surgeon will want the test results to plan your treatment. Are you scheduling reconstruction at the same time (that can slow things down)?  Do you know the grade of your cancer from the biopsy results?  Doctors often say that surgical waits aren't a problem with slow-growing cancers, as they have probably been growing for years.

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  • flash
    flash Member Posts: 1,685
    edited June 2010

    it really depends on where u live and which docs.  I hope all goes well for you.

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  • fortunate1
    fortunate1 Member Posts: 644
    edited June 2010

    I don't think everyone has to wait that long, but it happened to me too. I started out the delay myself by thinking the lump I found would probably go away. Primary care doc in Oct... Mammo in Nov...Biopsy in Dec... MRI, Pt/Cat scans, Doc visits, hard choices and finally surgery at the end of Jan. 

    My sympathies. The waiting is so hard. I was sure that it would spread while I waited, but apparently, as I was also told, it doesn't work that way. I wish you well. You've found a good place to ask questions.

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  • Mouser
    Mouser Member Posts: 245
    edited June 2010

    I had the first mammo in mid-Feb - suspicious calcs. Stereotactic in early March - DCIS in 2 sites, same quadrant. Biopsy in early April showed IDC at 1 site -- that biopsy was delayed 3 weeks because we had a hiking trip in late March. After the biopsy, which was a lumpectomy because margins were clear, i delayed the SNB until mid-May because i had a trip to Germany booked, plus a nephew's wedding. The nodes were clear, so then i delayed rads until early July for a hysterectomy that had been independently scheduled. My doctors were cool with all the delays; we discussed each step as it came up. I was also comfortable with it. However, i was 63 when this all began - not sure if younger women need to be a bit less pokey about things.

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  • ika
    ika Member Posts: 4
    edited June 2010

    My surgery was pretty quick, but it's been a long time getting the radiation scheduled. My onc is semi-retired and has me on the back burner. I'm seeing a new onc tomorrow and hopefully things will progress a little quicker with this guy.

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  • rreynolds1
    rreynolds1 Member Posts: 450
    edited June 2010

    Mine was detected in a mammo in 2/09.  Biopsey 10 long days later.  Results 5 days after that.  Met with surgeon 2 weeks after that.  Had more tests which took 10 more days.  Surgery on March 25/09.  Oncotypedx test took 2 weeks.  Didn't start my rads until 7/09 and finished in late Aug.  Imagine how long it would have taken if I needed chemo!  So 6 months from start to finish.  Chemo would have been 6 months or so longer.  YUK!

    But, now I'm over a year out and doing great.  I take Arimidex every day but other than that and periodic tests and dr. visits my life is back to the new normal.  Finally! 

    Roseann

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