Time Frame from Diagnosis to Surgery Question

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teaka123
teaka123 Member Posts: 95
edited May 2019 in Just Diagnosed

Diagnosed with DCIS on 4/15/19. Will have MRI on 4/29 and will meet with the plastic surgeon after MRI and genetic testing results are rd'd. The only certainty is I will have a mastectomy (left breast). What is a typical time frame from diagnosis to surgery? Would I be looking at surgery being scheduled for May, June or July?

DCIS, Stage 0, grade 3

Comments

  • bravepoint
    bravepoint Member Posts: 404
    edited April 2019

    I had surgery (lumpectomy) 2 weeks after diagnosis was confirmed. My genetic testing was after surgery but before chemo started. Good luck to you!

  • Ingerp
    Ingerp Member Posts: 2,624
    edited April 2019

    I've always scheduled surgery as soon as I can. A couple of weeks is typical--certainly May sometime unless there's a reason to postpone it.

  • SuQu31
    SuQu31 Member Posts: 160
    edited April 2019

    I scheduled everything as quickly as I could, but my BMX was 4.5 weeks after my meeting with PS. The waiting was awful, but two surgeons’ schedules had to be coordinated and of course there are others going through the same thing. And my surgery was about 5-6 hours, so I suppose scheduling that is more difficult. If I could have chosen, I would have done it the next week, but it was good to have some time to prepare

  • Solobroker
    Solobroker Member Posts: 22
    edited April 2019

    Diagnosed in 10/30, had surgery 01/23. Like stated earlier, it is all about the scheduling between  breast surgeon and PS.

  • Beesie
    Beesie Member Posts: 12,240
    edited April 2019

    As much as it might feel like an emergency to us, in most cases a breast cancer diagnosis is not a medical emergency. Breast cancer tends to be slow growing.

    From what I've seen on this board and from my own experience, usually it takes 4 - 6 weeks to get into surgery, particularly for those who are having a mastectomy with reconstruction, who need to coordinate schedules between a breast surgeon and a plastic surgeon. With DCIS, being pre-invasive, even 8 weeks is not unusual or a reason for concern.

  • teaka123
    teaka123 Member Posts: 95
    edited April 2019

    Thank you. One of those questions I didn't think to ask. Went in thinking I would be a wait/watch and came out knowing I'm having a mastectomy (or two). I have a vacation mid-June and it seems a bit too optimistic to think I would be fit for travel by then. Of course, my health comes first and will reschedule if need be.

  • ipenelope
    ipenelope Member Posts: 301
    edited April 2019

    Depending on the area you live you might be able to get it done sooner then later. My surgery was just over 2 months after diagnosis though would have been quicker but I didn't have a local PS so had to switch surgeon and get my PS. Best of luck!

  • FrenchPorsche
    FrenchPorsche Member Posts: 75
    edited April 2019

    I had my mastectomy 18 April and hoping to go on holiday 24 May. My surgeon said this will probably be fine so long as there are no unexpected complications. (Touch wood) so far so good, and a holiday seems like a lovely way to de-stress after the whirlwind of the past six weeks. I hope you will be able to enjoy your holiday.

    Just a thought - if you need radiation you may possibly be able to squeeze your holiday in between the surgery and the rads

  • teaka123
    teaka123 Member Posts: 95
    edited May 2019

    I meet with the breast and plastic surgeon next week and should have a date set then. I have not cancelled my flights yet, but am leaning that way. I will be having DIEP directly after the mastectomy and am thinking I could be uncomfortable siting on a plane or in a car for hours. Health first and foremost.


  • msphil
    msphil Member Posts: 1,536
    edited May 2019

    hello sweetie I was diagnosed in Sept then scheduled for biopsy couple wks later then within next couple wks got 2nd opinion then oncologist thru American cancer society starts 3mo chemo before surgery for Lmast got married was engaged at time then 3mo chemo after then rads 7wks and 5yrs on Tamoxifen.

  • msphil
    msphil Member Posts: 1,536
    edited May 2019

    oh and for Inspiration with Hope and Positive thinking that I will get thru this. I am this yr a 25yr Survivor. Praise God. msphil idc stage2 0/3 nodes Lmast chemo adriamycin cytoxin 5fu, rads and 5yrs on Tamoxifen. Stay Positve it will help get you thru

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