reasonable time between diagnosis and surgery?

MamaZu
MamaZu Member Posts: 1
edited March 2016 in Just Diagnosed

I'm new to this :(

Just diagnosed 3/2 with IDC grade 3. MRI yesterday showed 1.6 cm tumor and no others (thank God). Plan is for double mastectomy with reconstruction. I have a breast surgeon already and have consults with 2 plastic surgeons next week. My worry is, it seems like they won't get me on the calendar for at least 4 maybe 5 weeks. That seems like forever to wait!! I want this damn thing OUT! Will this grow or spread in a month? I did make an appt with another breast surgeon for a second opinion and to see if she can do the mastectomy sooner. But I love my doctor and don't want anyone else to do it.

Advice? Thank you.

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Comments

  • Warrior_Woman
    Warrior_Woman Member Posts: 1,274
    edited March 2016

    Hi Mamazu,

    I'm trying to find an article I read that addresses this and I'm not yet locating it. I actually had 3 months between Dx and BMX because I needed additional tests and 2nd opinions. I can not recall what the article states as the optimal time period but I want you to know that many others on here had some delay. I asked my MO & BS and both said I'm OK...who knows? But, had I moved through the process quickly without careful examination, I'd have had a lumpectomy rather than BMX because of misdiagnosis. In my case, I am very very very glad I took the time needed for an opinion from someone with greater qualifications and expertise. I know how you feel. It would be great if it were over yesterday.

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  • Smurfette26
    Smurfette26 Member Posts: 730
    edited March 2016

    I waited about 4 weeks as the surgeon I chose was going away. Of course he gave me the option of having someone else do the surgery but as he's the best in the area I opted to wait. When I asked him if waiting was ok he said in his professional opinion; physically it wouldn't make any real difference. He then went on to say as long as I could cope mentally and emotionally as waiting is so very difficult. He suggested that I see my GP for something to settle my nerves. It really helped.

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  • msphil
    msphil Member Posts: 1,536
    edited March 2016

    Hey honey i was diagnosed in sept biopsy in oct n had chemo3months before Lmast then 3months chemo after surgery got married cause we were planning our wedding at diagnosis then rads n 5yrs on tamoxifen Praise God i am this yr goin to 22yr Survivor. msphil idc stage2 Lmast chemo and rads n 5yrs on tamoxifen.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited March 2016

    Warrior-Woman - is this the article you're referring to?

    Timely Breast Cancer Treatment Improves Survival

    Momzu -- we hope this helps! Please keep us posted on your treatment plan and keep asking questions and coming back here for support!

    Welcome!

    --The Mods

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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited March 2016

    Grade 3 is the fastest growing, so you shouldn't be comparing yourself to someone with Grade 1. You should start treatment as quickly as you can after you decide your plan.

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  • JoniB
    JoniB Member Posts: 346
    edited March 2016

    Wow, this sure upset me. I waited for my doctor to return from vacation as well. Hope this does not affect my prognosis.

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  • etnasgrl
    etnasgrl Member Posts: 650
    edited March 2016

    4 to 5 weeks seems like a long time, but really, it's not too bad.
    I remember when I was first diagnosed and all I wanted was the cancer OUT.
    I was diagnosed on November 5, 2015 and my surgery was December 10th, so I waited a little over a month. I thought that was SO long to wait and was convinced that it would grow out of control before surgery!
    It didn't grow at all between the time I was diagnosed and surgery.

    Yes, Grade 3 is faster growing than Grade 1, but even so, I really think waiting a few weeks for your surgery isn't going to hurt anything or change your prognosis.

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  • hummingbirdlover
    hummingbirdlover Member Posts: 421
    edited March 2016

    Hi Mamazu,

    I'm SO sorry you have to join us here but it is a wonderful source of support. My tumor was also grade 3 (which was upgraded from grade 1) after final pathology following surgery. I was diagnosed on September 23 and had my BMX surgery a month later on October 22. I know it seems like forever when you just want it out of you. Hang in there.

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  • CatsRus
    CatsRus Member Posts: 310
    edited March 2016

    I, like you Etnasgrl, just wanted it out as quickly as possible. I was dx'd Friday, saw surgeon on Tuesday and had surgery Thursday (she happened to have a cancellation) so six days from Dx to Mx. I felt so much better knowing 'it' was out. That was 12 months ago - last Sunday was anniversary of Dx and this Saturday anniversary of being cancer free.

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  • grammakathy
    grammakathy Member Posts: 407
    edited March 2016

    I was grade 2 and it was a month between diagnosis and MX. The timing seems slow but I used it to take notes at each appointment. My life seemed to go from appointment to appointment and each time I learned more. Take care.

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  • Fe_Princess
    Fe_Princess Member Posts: 245
    edited March 2016

    Warrior woman, were you diagnosed with cancer in both breasts? Have you decided on what kind of reconstruction you would like to have? I was grade and waited six weeks between dx and mx. I went with the mx so I could skip chemo & radiation.

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2016

    HI I was diagnosed on Feb 12 and will be having my surgery on March 22... I opted for a lumpectomy with breast reconstruction and breast reduction on the opposite side for symmetry... I would have preferred to have the surgery sooner but this was the first available date that both my breast surgeon and plastic surgeon were available.. I also wanted the first appointment of the day for these reasons: 1) if I had to wait until later in the day my anxiety levels would have gone through the roof. 2) I wanted both doctors and all supportive staff fresh 3) since fasting was required after midnight did not want to wait all day without eating and 4) wanted to be able to have same day surgery and if surgery started late in the day I would not have had to have stayed in the hospital over night which I did not want to do... I asked the breast surgeon if it was more important to do it sooner and she said it didn't matter in my case since it was contained and not going anywhere Obviously each case is different so it is best to discuss this with your doctor. Good luck!

    DX; 2/12/16 IDC 2 tumors 1.4 cm and .8cm... Stage 1 Grade 1 ER+ PR+ Her2 - (FISH)


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