How long is too long?

Options
Lindart
Lindart Member Posts: 2
edited March 2018 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

Hello,

I have been diagnosed with breast cancer her2 + back in the end of December 2017. It's now mid February, the surgeon decided on January 18 it was time to see the oncologist before surgery. Now I've been to the oncologist twice here in Austell ga. Through ga cancer specialists. She has sent me for numerous tests to rule out other pets of my body. Last week she claimed the tests were unclear, and to do another whole body scan this time with radio active dye. How many and how long do these tests go on before they start any treatment as a norm? I'm supposed to start chemo, they even started a port Feb 1, and still waiting. I'm becoming nervous as there are never any answers she gives just more tests!

Thanks

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Germangirl16
    Germangirl16 Member Posts: 97
    edited February 2018

    This sounds so unusual. As soon as my biopsy came back her2+, things moved very quickly, as my surgeon indicated it should. Had appointment with oncologist within 2 weeks after seeing surgeon to decide which course of treatment. I decided on 12 weeks of taxol and herceptin followed by monthly herceptin. My surgery was 6 weeks from initial diagnosis, then chemo and radiation. Best of luck to you.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NotVeryBrave
    NotVeryBrave Member Posts: 1,287
    edited February 2018

    Everything moved very quickly for me - within a month of diagnosis I was starting NAC with TCHP via my port.

    I'm not sure why it's taking so long for you. Have they given you an indication of stage? Are there specific areas they are looking at on the scans?

    In most cases of breast cancer - a delay of a few weeks or more doesn't make a difference in the outcome. But I certainly understand it making a difference in your piece of mind!


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • stephincanada
    stephincanada Member Posts: 228
    edited February 2018

    Hi there,

    Chemo started for me four weeks after my lumpectomy. Staging scans were done after I started chemo, as it was not possible to schedule them earlier. I think it is important to get started on the systemic therapy as quickly as possible, asHer2 is extremely aggressive. I don’t see the benefit in waiting to find out if you have mets.

    Good luck and I hope your treatment gets started soon.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Becca953
    Becca953 Member Posts: 99
    edited March 2018

    Hi Lindart,

    I am hopeful you have some answers now. This seems a bit unusual. I thought standard operating procedure was preliminary staging of the cancer via biopsy and imaging (a combo of Mammo, Ultrasound and MRI.) After that they usually schedule and start on the treatment right away, either chemo or surgery. Personally, I would obtain a second opinion elsewhere. Although, they are being thorough, they are seriously delaying treatment. If there are mets, this would delay or sometimes negate surgery, but certainly they could begin chemo and targeted therapy based upon the breast and lymph node images.

    I was diagnosed just prior to Christmas and had a fit that they could not schedule my surgery until January 30. In the interim, I obtained a second opinion at Hopkins. A second opinion would be worthwhile. Best of luck in your treatment!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories