Worried/Frustrated

Hi geek,  First of all, welcome to this ILC group.  I hope your mother is recovering well from her surgery, and, of course, the shock of diagnosis. I also hope that no more cancer is found in the nodes; it doesn't sound like there will be with such a tiny bit found in the sentinel node.  Chances are that your mother had at the very least a mammogram on her "good" breast.  Chances are that your mother had an EKG on her heart and a chest x-ray prior to surgery, too.  This is standard.  The other scans, such as an MRI on the other breast to see if there is anything there before any treatment begins, or a PET/CT to be sure there is no spread of cancer cells elsewhere (unlikely with so little node involvement, but the size of the tumor might be considered), these scans can be ordered by the oncologist.  If the oncologist recommends chemotherapy he/she may order a MUGA scan to check her heart, too, before starting treatment.  

I'm sorry that they are telling you 3 weeks before seeing an oncologist.  That seems like a long time to me, and the waiting is so hard.  I'm not familiar with Kaiser, but I know that others here are.  Have you considered getting an outside opinion (outside of Kaiser that is) just to have as much information as possible?  Will Kaiser pay for this?  In my view, it is a good thing to have lots of input, and if they are making you wait, maybe you could get this opinion while you are waiting. 

Edited to add: You are able to ask for your slides and mammogram films, and copies of every report from the surgeon, hospital, and pathology lab, then take this information to other oncologists for input. 

Hi Geek,

Just wanted to share my timeline.  I had an excisional bx, followed by a segmental mast(partial).  I had to ask for a second look at my "good breast" during my pre rads mammogram.  A suspicious area was found, leading to a stereotactic bx on that side which thank goodness was negative. However I did have an MRI between my first and second surgery. 

 It is routine procedure to have an EKG  and bloodwork (cbc, sma 12 ) done pre op, but routine CXR are usually done on folks over 60 or someone with an underlying problem, so I didn't have one either.  

My first onco appt was 3 weeks post 2nd surgery (segmental) also.  The incision needs time to heal, and most treatments from rads to hormone therapy can't be started until there is significant healing from the mastectomy.  Here is  some info about the acceptable time for starting chemo post surgery.   http://meeting.ascopubs.org/cgi/content/abstract/23/16_suppl/660   The one thing that you may want to ask the surgeon about is sending the tissue for an Oncotype DX test to determine if chemo would be a benefit.  Here is the Oncotype DX site for more information on the test.  Note that it takes 10-14 days to get results back, which would then be available for the first onc appt. http://www.oncotypedx.com/

I am also a proponent of a second opinion, especially if your Mom is in the grey area for any treatment options.

Good luck!

MM

I had my diagnosis based on a mammo/ultrasound combo.  Then I saw a surgeon for a biopsy.  The surgeon ordered a cat schan and mri of both breasts as well as a bone scan.  All were clear.  They checked my nodes during the surgery and they were clear.  There was no chest x-ray or heart tests but at my age, I have some tests done routinely during annual exams.  Your mom may have had prior tests on file with her primary care doctor.

My tumor was 1.8 cm and because it was so close to 2 cm my surgeon said she wanted to get as much info as possible before deciding on treatment.  Had it been found in my nodes, I would have had chemo but the OncotypeDX test was 18 and I decided against it.

My Timeframe:  Lump discovered mid Feb., Biopsy 10 long days later, Surgery March 31, Radiation in May.  It does take several months.

Roseann