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

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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  • dreaming
    dreaming Member Posts: 473
    edited June 2010

    Get a second opinion, I demanded surgery asap, 10 days after mastectomy I started chemo.

    The doctor works for you, and if you think this delay is not call for, tell them,

  • tgood02
    tgood02 Member Posts: 26
    edited June 2010

    By the time I finally have the surgery 4 month will have gone by. I am really not even sure of the actual size of the tumor. The pathology report led me to believe that it was only stage one but the Oncologist said it could be stage two. The not knowing and lack of care are driving me up a wall. I had a pet scan yesterday, hopefully, when I see the Oncologist I'll get more information.

     Thank you for caring

  • Sheila1958
    Sheila1958 Member Posts: 7
    edited June 2010

    I had a MRI April 19th and was called back for an ultrasound guided biopsy the next week. One week later I had my diagnosis of IDC 1cm and I am scheduled for surgery July 7th. It took a lot of phone calls to keep this process moving and I have found it to be troubling. I am hoping for the best in July and putting my faith in my doc. I'm a nurse so I know the system has major problems but these delays are torture.

    Dx 5/2010 IDC ?stage 1 ER+PR+

  • tgood02
    tgood02 Member Posts: 26
    edited June 2010

    yes, torture is a good description. One thing that makes me kind of angry is that the doctors don't seem to care. My IDC is in an early stage, just 1.2 centimeters and the doctors act as if that is nothing. No one seems to understand that I am frightened and am getting depressed by all of these delays. I will see the surgeon on July 1st and then, maybe, the surgery will be scheduled.

  • jessamine
    jessamine Member Posts: 322
    edited June 2010

    I had a lot of trouble getting things moving at the beginning also, and it was just the worst part, really, of all of it. I think you should really push to move things along (or at least find out if they have a reason for the delays) but also I want you to know that despite the time it took with me, even though I had a large, fast growing tumor, things worked out ok. I finally got into treatment (I had to have chemo first, but wasn't able to start for nealy 2 months after dx) and responded really well. And I'm sure you will too.

    Hopefully the pathology has shown your cancer to be very slow growing and that's the reason for their casualness, and not just because they're awful. I really hope you can find out and get taken care of!

  • lizinmontreal
    lizinmontreal Member Posts: 46
    edited July 2010

    tgood, I really feel for you because I also had to wait a long time and that waiting is torchure. I was told by my GP (on April1st) that I needed surgery and to make an appointment with the surgeon. The appointment that I got was for May 20th. I went back to my GP and he phoned to make an appointment but due to the surgeon moving her office and taking a vacation, I couldn't be seen earlier. He then phoned another surgeon who I saw on April 20th. I was happy with that. He gave me all the referrals for the endless tests. However, the earliest that he could book me for surgery was June 30th. It was a long, agonizing wait because I wanted that blank blank out of me. The only thing I knew was that my cancer was grade 1,IDC in one breast and inconclusive in the other breast.

    I hope that you are having your surgery soon. Wishing you well! 

  • tgood02
    tgood02 Member Posts: 26
    edited July 2010

    Thank you so much. Hopefully I'll have the surgery the end oft this month, but that is doubtful, as I still need an appointment with my cardiologist. I am so discouraged. I am wondering at times whether anything will ever be done.I have been waiting since March, when it was first found.

  • Ondagrow
    Ondagrow Member Posts: 349
    edited July 2010

    I was diagnosed June 2,...Biopsy June 21, and Lumpectomy June 30th...Could it be you insurance... The only people that I know who took that long had problems with approvals from their insurance carrier...

  • Shrek4
    Shrek4 Member Posts: 1,822
    edited July 2010

    I had diagnostic mammogra, end of July last year. Stereotactic biopsy mid-August. Meetign witht he BS beginning of September. Diagnostic MRI middle of September. Surgery on the 21st of October. It took a while for the surgery as I wanted immediate reconstruction and the BS and PS had to coordinate.

  • encoremom
    encoremom Member Posts: 186
    edited July 2010

    I had MRI in May, ultrasound in June, biopsy in July, results in August and masectomy in October, then oncotype (no chemo) and started Arimidex in November.  I was somewhat concerned but was told that the tumors had taken a long time to get where they were and that waiting a few months would not make a difference.  I know the waiting is hard, but was told it's better to have all the information to decide treatment, etc than to rush into something.  Thinking good thoughts for you.

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