How long is it safe to wait for treatment after diagnosis?

I thought Obamacare fixed the problem of denial because of pre-existing conditions when switching insurance. You might try calling your local Bar Association. They usually provide a half hour consultation with a lawyer familiar with the issues you present for $25 - $30. In your case they might even be able to do it on the phone since for them it would not be as complicated as you think.

The medical decisions are more complicated. I would not be asking the people on these forums to give you advice on how long to wait for treatment. We don't know. You might get lots of different opinions but they would be uninformed guesses and not really helpful. Do you have a nurse navigator? You really need to find out from medical people what your medical options are. It sounds like you are already set up for treatment and that your doctors think there is an urgent need. A lumpectomy is least invasive. If genetic testing would make you want a mastectomy that can be done later. The radiologist usually would not be part of the decision making team at this point. Kaiser could probably provide your followup treatment but I doubt they would just schedule you for surgery without doing their own workup. They could deal with complications that came up after the new year. You really need to feel comfortable about the urgency question before deciding about putting it off to save money. The "what ifs" are impossible to plan for. Depending on your doctor and hospital, the questions about clean margins may not even be a problem. My margins were not totally clear but no re-incision was necessary because a pathologist was on site and all was taken care of while I was still anesthetized.

What about contacting a medical social worker? How about contacting your state's Insurance Commission?

I wish the best of luck for you

I agree with both ladies. My first order of business would be to discuss the sense of urgency to have the surgery. I had IDC Grade 1. Yours is Grade 2. Regardless we aren’t doctors so it would be guesswork plus it’s not a one size, fits all BC.

I did wait a month to have my biopsy. My mammo was done in late November. Of course the real expenses would come after the first of the year. Make no mistake if my doctors had advised against waiting I would have gone ahead with it.

Just don’t let anyone rush you. It’s your call and your life.

Diane

Somewhere on this website is an article regarding growth of the tumor/tumors after one month of waiting for surgery, tests, etc. Depending on the growth rate, you can go from stage 1 to stage 2, or stage 2 to stage 3. It can also move toward your lymph area. The earlier the better, in my oncoplastic surgeon's opinion, and in my MO's opinion. I did have rads, and it was no big deal, no skin issues, etc. I worked with a great team, was diagnosed on August 8th, surgery was 29th of that same month, so 21 days later, had rads starting in October, etc. There was some growth of my tumor in just those 21 days. My tumor was not palpable, as it went from top to chest wall area. I would recommend a lumpectomy if you have a simple tumor. You can always go for more later.

Hi Zenmushroom,

I was diagnosed in Dec 2015 with DCIS - I went in since I felt a lump and a larger area of breast that didn't feel right overnight. I had Kaiser and met with a board -- team of Surgeon, Oncologist and Radiologist at the end of December. They gave me a choice of lumpectomy, mastectomy or oncoplastic lumpectomy and reduction on the other side. I wasn't ready for anything --- wanted additional opinions. Met with a Kaiser Plastic surgeon after meeting the board. I asked my surgeons how much time I had to make a decision. They said a month would make no difference in my case. Although they strongly suspected it was more than DCIS. I had another opinion from a board at a different Kasier location. Also from non-Kaiser surgeon (UCSF). I finally decided to have a lumpectomy and reduction. Surgery only happened at end of Feb --- about 2.5 months after diagnosis --- took time to schedule surgeon, plastic surgeon etc.

I recommend asking the surgeons why they want surgery so soon. Also don't hesitate to get another opinion.

My oncologist is non-Kaiser. I decided to go outside of Kaiser since I wanted to enroll in a clinical trial and the Kaiser oncologists did not approve of it.

My tumor turned out to be less than 1 cm. But they took out over 13 cms of DCIS.

Wishing you the best with your decision.

Reikion

Dear Zen:

That's alot on your plate.....you are a very strong woman.

Do you have a GP? Mine agreed to be my partner in handling all the cancer specialist issues and decisionmaking. Very useful and so comforting. I had an ally, and perhaps you can, too. They answered alot of these “noisy worries” swirling about in my mind. And explained in plain english some of the cancer stuff in reports, tests etc as well as options in treating them.

Also, could your current Anthem doctors provide treatment and make contact with your new doctors to provide seamless support for you? They can make sure that the transfer goes extremely well. You don't have to be in the middle all alone.

I doubt Kaiser can change their mind now on your insurability - maybe a state agency can be contacted to get answers to these insurance questions if you won't have access to a GP right now?

Gather up your allies - we all need as much help as possible when walking this path. Wishing you the very best of luck and health. Thinking of you. Will you keep us posted?

xx

Love,

Belle

Hi - GP is a general practitioner or the general doctor who keeps track of your health and sends you off to specialists for specific conditions and treatments. Can be a very helpful ally. x

Sara536-no really "wrong". I just knew ahead of time no rads based on my cancer type/stage if I had the mastectomy. Everyone is different. I actually saw no one until after surgery. I look back and it really would not have made a difference in my situation, but can for others.

Zenmushroom- no matter what, you have a good head on you. You are asking the right questions that will bring you to the best desision for you.

Traveling---how far? I had surgery 8 hours from home, spent 3 days in the hospital and then my husband drove me 8 hours home after stayng in town 24 hours. I was pretty much drugged the whole time. I stayed home two weeks, then traveled another 8 hours for a week vacation. I was beat, still on pain killers cause I was probebly doing too much.... I did nothing and was exhausted. My drains had a higher output and I had to keep one a week longer. Keep in mind this is a uni mastectomy, not lumpectomy which could be completley different. Get your doctors input on this. The nurse was a jerk, the doctor was ok with us making resonable desisions with travel.

I guess I don't regret traveling....it was good for my family. But I really could have cared less and would have liked to be in my own bed.

Zenmushroom,

At your appointment with the surgical oncologist on Wednesday ask as many questions as you need to. You need to feel comfortable with the Doctors and the treatment plan.

Wishing you the best. You will make the decision that is right for you.

Reikion

Here is another idea for your family:

"Many Orthodox Christians annually celebrate Christmas Day on or near January 7 to remember Jesus Christ's birth, described in the Christian Bible. This date works to the Julian calendar that pre-dates the Gregorian calendar, which is commonly observed.

Have a later date Christmas with your family, and take care of yourself now With Her2 positive, you have more treatment ahead of you in 2018 and you do not want to add to that burden by having a later stage or grade. This year, in January, I had an elective surgery which I had thought about for some time. When a date opened up, I knew I had to get the deed done. When it was over, I was glad that the surgery was behind me, and I could have the rest of the year to work on improving my health. I am glad that a date opened up for me, because the longer I would think about it, the "chicken" in me would come out. I am thankful that I chose my surgery, and I no longer worry about my reproductive health. I take Tamoxifen and am doing well on that. This year has been quite the ride, but I would change nothing about the lumpectomy, rads, hysterectomy/oopherectomy, Tamoxifen, etc. I have peace of mind that I made the correct decisions and have no regrets.