Still waiting

Question

So a week after my appointment with the oncologist and I am still waiting for my date to start chemo. &nbsp;In the meantime I had to have a pelvic ultrasound as a possibly cyst turned up when I had a bone scan in relation to the breast cancer.
What was meant to take 1 hour ended up taking 4. &nbsp;The ultrasound lady was new and was nervous. &nbsp;She had to keep checking things with her boss. &nbsp;To cap things off she didn't do the paperwork properly and so they forgot to do my results. &nbsp;After an hour and a half waiting I get the results. &nbsp;When I read them (we all sneak a look!) it says that I need to repeat in 6 weeks as there is &nbsp;a possible issue. &nbsp;Just what I need!
Off to my GP on monday for a pneumonia shot so hopefully he can put it all back in context for me and call the oncologist to push for a date for the chemo.
Finished venting.....
On a positive note, what a glorious day it was in Sydney today. &nbsp;Enjoyed some time by the harbour doing a photography course that had been put off by my lumpectomy. &nbsp;Stayed to enjoy the sunshine.
Kathy
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mich_x · Answer

Hey KathyI know what you mean about the waiting.&nbsp; I am waiting to find out when I have to have a PET scan............the waiting is the hardest part of all of this in my eyes.&nbsp; Mind you I have learnt to be patient as there is nothing else we can do.&nbsp; You just wait and wait and then wait some more.&nbsp; I just keep myself busy doing lots of anything or lots of nothing otherwise I would go crazy.I am so grateful for this site to be able to come on here and like you say vent.We are so lucky that they do all those checks before we start chemo to check everything is good with the rest of our bodies before starting the chemo and if not then they can fix it at the same time for us.&nbsp; You may have to do a heart test at some stage in the beginning but that depends on what chemo you are going on.&nbsp; Some you do and some you don't.&nbsp; I was grateful for the heart checks as I always worried that there was a prob with my heart because of a heart murmur picked up when having the kids but it seems to be all good so I was happy about that.How wonderful to get to do your photography course and at the Sydney Bridge, obviously photography is something you enjoy.&nbsp; Did you have to have special cameras to do the course or just any old camera.&nbsp; I had planned on buying a new camera after Xmas to take lots of pics and movies of my grandees and thought I might do a course but that all came to a stand still for now with hubby losing his job.&nbsp; It is on my bucket list to do though.Try and stay patient but I do know how our patience gets tested at this time.&nbsp; It is always good once you have a treatment plan cause then you can plan your life around it.Good luck and I hope your GP can get it all sorted out for you.&nbsp; Thinking of you.Lots of love, Mich xoxo

mich_x · Answer

Hey KathyI know what you mean about the waiting.&nbsp; I am waiting to find out when I have to have a PET scan............the waiting is the hardest part of all of this in my eyes.&nbsp; Mind you I have learnt to be patient as there is nothing else we can do.&nbsp; You just wait and wait and then wait some more.&nbsp; I just keep myself busy doing lots of anything or lots of nothing otherwise I would go crazy.I am so grateful for this site to be able to come on here and like you say vent.We are so lucky that they do all those checks before we start chemo to check everything is good with the rest of our bodies before starting the chemo and if not then they can fix it at the same time for us.&nbsp; You may have to do a heart test at some stage in the beginning but that depends on what chemo you are going on.&nbsp; Some you do and some you don't.&nbsp; I was grateful for the heart checks as I always worried that there was a prob with my heart because of a heart murmur picked up when having the kids but it seems to be all good so I was happy about that.How wonderful to get to do your photography course and at the Sydney Bridge, obviously photography is something you enjoy.&nbsp; Did you have to have special cameras to do the course or just any old camera.&nbsp; I had planned on buying a new camera after Xmas to take lots of pics and movies of my grandees and thought I might do a course but that all came to a stand still for now with hubby losing his job.&nbsp; It is on my bucket list to do though.Try and stay patient but I do know how our patience gets tested at this time.&nbsp; It is always good once you have a treatment plan cause then you can plan your life around it.Good luck and I hope your GP can get it all sorted out for you.&nbsp; Thinking of you.Lots of love, Mich xoxo

naturalbel · Answer

I also experienced a paperwork mistake that ended in an extra half a hit of Chemo, so I understand the frustration. &nbsp;Once I got to talk it through with my Doctor and sort the information I found relief. &nbsp;I have worked within the health industry for long enough to see professionals &nbsp;make mistakes and the repercussions are something we dont hear about but they are huge. &nbsp;I just said to myself "We are all human" &nbsp;and think back at a time when I needed forgiveness for a mistake (couldnt remember one! smiling), and took a deep breath. &nbsp;Ultimately that book "Dont Sweat the Small Stuff" &nbsp;I read years ago, never covered breast cancer ! &nbsp;(still smiling). &nbsp;What I have learnt via my main form of communication here at BCNA, is that there are hundreds of women out there going through ridiculous situations. &nbsp;Your story is one of those, that puts me on the back of the chair, often a tear in the eye, that makes me think - Wow! &nbsp;I wondered when I sat in that room during the recent seminar I went to if I was the only person who was thinking "So how many of these 200 women have had breast cancer twice?" &nbsp;I was too scared to ask........honestly. &nbsp;The fact that you stepped outside and took those photos Kathy tells me you will handle everything well. &nbsp;All I can suggest is - Take it all one day at a time. &nbsp;My thoughts go out to you, and best of luck! &nbsp;Bel

kad999 · Answer

Hi Mich,
You needed a Digital SLR camera to do the course, but really it was all just about having a camera with a manual setting and making your own decisions on settings when taking the shot. &nbsp; I had learnt it all previously, but it was nice to have a reminder.
I have the heart test this week. &nbsp;I am actually looking forward to that one, I would prefer to know about that sort of thing - even the cyst explains a lot of things.
Hopefully things will get sorted early this week and then I can begin this next phase of my life. &nbsp;At the moment I just feel like I am in limbo. &nbsp;For example, will I feel like having Mothers Day lunch at my house? &nbsp;Should I book theatre tickets? &nbsp;Can I continue with my part time work at the level I am doing it? &nbsp;Such small things but help to keep my life (and those of my family) moving along smoothly.
Kathy

kad999 · Answer

Thanks Bel. &nbsp;I am such a positive person most of the time. &nbsp;It just every now and then hits me (like when I am waiting for my ultrasound results for nearly two hours). &nbsp;Today, with the benefit of a lovely weekend, I am feeling much more positive again and looking forward to visiting the GP tomorrow for my pneumonia shot and to discuss the cysts and the chemo dates.
Kathy

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