Frustrated and Waiting

I'm so sorry to hear that you're at the awful waiting stage. Even in the U.S., it seems to take forever to get tests scheduled! I am wishing the very best for you and for now, all I can advise is realizing that the odds are in your favor, and doing any kind of exercise or stress-relieving activity that works for you. Keep us posted.

Wish I could say I'm surprised, but I'm not. I'm in Vancouver and had a very similar experience, I was 32 at the time and it took nearly 8 weeks to get diagnosed.

When I went to the doctor about my lump, she immediately gave me a referral for an ultrasound and mammogram. When I called the imaging clinic, not only did they refuse to book the mammo, but the first ultrasound appointment they had was just over three weeks away. During that appointment, they also did a mammo right away, then told me I needed a biopsy, no more information, wouldn't answer my questions, nothing (I didn't see the radiologist), just dumped me with the booking clerk. Earliest appointment I could get?? Another three weeks away.

I waited for that and was never given the results of the imaging tests. I was told in the biopsy that I had a 5-50% chance of it being cancer due to "some irregularities," but of course, it was, and when I requested copies of all the reports afterwards, I discovered that I had actually been given a BIRADS 5 score (which means they're basically sure it's cancer and just need the biopsy to confirm) and STILL had to wait 3 weeks for the biopsy (and was misled about the seriousness of the situation right up until I was given the official diagnosis).

The system here seems more than a little broken, I wish it was better, it leads to a lot of extra stress and anxiety than we already have to deal with and that seems so unnecessary to me.

You're not alone in your situation, not at all. I know that doesn't fix it and doesn't relieve your stress, but sometimes, it helps to know that you're not falling through a crack, it's just the way the system as a whole works.

(And fingers crossed for you that it's totally benign!!)

It was a total nightmare for me, and if I'm honest, it didn't get any better after my diagnosis. I seem to be the exception to every rule and have fallen through every single crack in the system, but every step of the way during (and after!) treatment for me has been way more difficult than it should have been, often made so by people who seemed to really not want to have to deal with me. If I had a nickel for every time someone ignored me and my questions and concerns, brushed me off, refused to talk to me, talked down to me condescendingly, gave me bad information, cut me off when I was asking for help, treated me like the World's Biggest Inconvenience, or misled me and made a bigger mess of things, I'd be a wealthy woman now and not still fighting for some short-term disability coverage from my insurance company to stay solvent while I put my life back together.

I totally get what you mean about feeling like you're bothering them, but if you step back and think about it, that's exactly what they're there for, to assist patients. Never shy away from asking questions, voicing your concerns, getting the information you need, and pushing to get things done. Don't let them make you feel bad about that, this is your life, your health, your wellbeing (mental and physical!), and you have every right to stand up and advocate for yourself. You're not doing this for fun, you're doing this because you have to, and they are there to manage that, don't let them intimidate you, you have a right to know what's going on and keep pushing for the things you need.

I struggle with putting myself first, too, and I have a lot of anxiety about it (it's just the way I'm wired, I generally feel unimportant), but at the end of the day, if you don't look out for yourself, then nobody else will (I mean, yeah, loved ones will, but for medical things, you usually have to handle that yourself because of confidentiality concerns). Be the squeaky wheel, chase down the information you need, and take care of yourself.

You're worth it, I promise.