Wait time between diagnosis and surgery

katiegrey · January 2014

Hello ladies -

I was diagnosed on Christmas Eve following a biopsy of a lump in one breast and don't know much other than that it's malignant and invasive. I was in shock and couldn't think of any other questions to ask. I meet with my surgeon at a breast cancer center in a few days and am wondering how long it will be before my surgery? Do they try to schedule this as quickly as possible? I just have this crazy feeling that my cancer is spreading more every minute. Thanks ~

Dancermom1999 · January 2014

Hi Katiegray:

I was diagnosed on November 17th and my surgery will be this Friday, January 3rd. Other ladies had their surgery sooner after their diagnosis and some of us are later. The holidays played a role in this as well as coordinating schedules with the BS and the PS. The wait in between is so nerve wracking, I too get crazy thinking the cancer is spreading but my BS assured me it is not. However, you have come to a great place for support and friendship through this journey. You should move over the to January 2014 Surgery thread. Hugs and love.

Kicks · January 2014

It varies greatly depending on the diagnosis. Not all types of BC are the same in how aggressive they,are or the protocol for treating them. Some will require neoadjuvant chemo (chemo before surgery). You will probably have more scans and tests before anything is done to access it and to determine what would be the best line of treatment based on type and other 'things' that are involved in your case. Different Drs also have different ideas on what is best for you personally.

Anonymous · January 2014

I was diagnosed Sept 12 and had my BMX Oct 16. That allowed my BS and PS to coordinate so that they worked together and my reconstruction process started immediately after my BS finished her part of the operation.

You will get more info at your appointment. There is a great section here on bco that gives a suggested list of questions to ask your doctor.

It will feel like forever and it will also feel like it goes too quickly! It's a great idea to start a binder and keep copies of test results, notes, business cards, etc. I think we all have that fear that you are feeling while waiting. I know I sure did! But take a deep breath and know that you do have some time to think, ask questions, make plans,...

Susie123 · January 2014

I was diagnosed three days before Christmas and my bmx was during the third week of Jan. Between the biopsy results and surgery I had a MRI and appointment with the plastic surgeon concerning reconstruction. The surgery was then scheduled based on when the breast surgeon and plastic surgeon had openings in their OR schedules at the same time. It's normal to want it out NOW when we hear the cancer word. My breast surgeon assured me that it was not going to make a difference to wait a few weeks. You should know more about what you're dealing with after your appointment. Just try to hang in there. ((Hugs))

Holeinone · January 2014

Katiegrey, it is impossible to know, lots of factors. If you decide on a lumpectomy, you will not need, a plastic surgeon. My surgeon is very pro- lumpectomy, & I had no way of knowing I would have so many nodes with cancer ( no MRI ).. The waiting is the worse part of breast cancer. ( chemo is no picnic ). I got in & had surgery 6 days after biopsy...I do not think that is common. It had nothing to do with how bad it was...just an opening at the surgery suite... Good luck...keep posting, it helps mentally...

LW0919 · January 2014

Hi Katie. I'm so sorry you spent your Christmas with this heavy burden. I had my biopsy on December 20th of last year and received the diagnosis on 12/27/12. The holidays were extremely difficult and I barely tolerated them because of the building anxiety. I had a lumpectomy on 1/23 which was almost 4 weeks later. There are other tests that they may have you do that will help determine whether a lumpectomy or mastectomy is suggested. The genetic testing usually is next as well as MRI's and possibly a PET scan. All of these tests along with your surgery and final pathology help determine a treatment plan. The waiting is excruciating. That and the not knowing was the worst part of it all. I won't tell you not to worry because anyone would, we all do but will tell you that we all understand and are here for you.

laura11103 · January 2014

I was DX'd on 6/21 and surgery was on 8/7... but like everyone says, it depends on schedules and your type of cancer... I personally needed the time to process and enjoy part of the summer... any sooner and I just wouldn't have been emotionally prepared... was glad I had the time... but I do believe they make room for the cancer patients that need surgery ASAP... they skip the line in general... GL and stay strong!!!!

dogsandjogs · January 2014

I was diagnosed in mid-November and had a lumpectomy in early February. I was worried about the long time in between, but was told the cancer had been there for 8 to 10 years so a couple of months wouldn't make a difference.

JoTro · January 2014

Hi Katiegrey - you are not alone out there, I am in your boat too. Same diagnosis on same day! I am tearing myself apart emotionally, scared, paranoid of any ache or pain I feel, terrified it has spread or is already in my bones, horrified at what I will endure and angry at some pretty poor healthcare I have received in the past 10 years that may have picked this up earlier. Every emotion under the sun I am experiencing = it feels excruciating. I have a surgeons appt on Wednesday, so hoping to find out more then. This seems to be the only place I have found that allows me to vent, with people who are telling us this is a normal reaction in the process of it all. This alone gives me a sense of wellbeing. Good luck to you and me and all of us newbies out there!

Pupcake · January 2014

I had 1st mammo 12/6/14, followed by sonogram, bx and was to have a R lumpectomy 12/30/13.so 3 weeks

A bilateral MRI 12/23 cancelled that surgery & started more mammos, sono, stereotactic BX on the L. on 12/26 got the results yesterday, its grade 3 DCIS on the L. I was scheduled for an MRI guided bx on the L for a 7 mm lump on L but that's cancelled with the dx of CA on the left already.

I'll be having a BMX sometime in January. I go 1/6/ to the reconstructive/plastic surgeon & the breast surgeon and will be scheduled after that.

This is at University of Iowa Hospitals & clinics a Very large teaching hospital. They move so fast I'm amazed!

Pup

Wait time between diagnosis and surgery

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