Forum Discussion

Elvenwishes's avatar
5 years ago

Waiting for Radiation Therapy

I was diagnosed in late November 2019. Had surgery on the 22nd January 2020 was told that 99.9% it was gone.. Yeah I thought why not tell me 100% (I lost my plot that day). 
I was then told to have another mammogram the following week but as there was so much bruising and swelling and it was painful it was deferred for 2 weeks. I had that one and it was ok I saw the surgeon who was awesome and she told me that they will be in touch for the bone density test before I start treatment... 
I had the bone density test and then the wait started...
I had another mammogram in August and was told I didn't need to see the Dr.. so off I went home which I was kind of happy about thinking that treatment will start soon...
My question is how long does a person have to wait to start treatment? I am going through Fiona Stanley Hospital here in Perth so I guess being a public patient that might be the delay....
I cannot fault the Breast Clinic at the hospital they are wonderful but it is the waiting that is driving me insane.
Hugs to everyone xx
  • To everyone who replied to my message I had the surgery in January this year then was told 2 weeks after surgery that I had to have a mammogram but they couldn't do it that day it was still swollen and tender. So the week after that I had one and they were happy... Today is a year since being diagnosed just feels like yesterday in my opinion. Anyway I received an appointment letter last week with a date 23rd December to see the Breast Clinic now I wonder if I have to have another mammogram and be told the Dr doesn't need to see me or they are going to tell me when they are going to start radiation therapy... I was told that I have to have it because I have the positive receptor gene and then then hormone blocker after that treatment is finished.. I will ask to see the doctor on that appointment and get some answers...
    Everyone that I know says the same thing doesn't matter what type of cancer it is I should have been given answers... I may only have DCIS grade 1 but hell this is my sanity going into craziness...  I have never suffered so much emotionally like this I guess it is not knowing that is the worst.... 
    I would reply to everyone of you but I can't figure out how to comment individually ...
  • @Elvenwishes , not meaning to sound negative, but I waited for 2 months and 1 day for surgery through the public system, despite being Stage 3 at diagnosis.  So then by the time I started chemo it was just under four months from the diagnosis.  Got to laugh, but I am alive, so I guess they knew what they were doing, but it really has messed with my sense of people telling me we have a good public system in Australia... yeh, right!  I really wish I could get over people telling me our public system is the best in the world.. albeit as long as you are prepared for a long wait.  My decisions would have been different regarding work arrangements had I known I would not start chemotherapy until about 4 months after being diagnoses!  Sorry for the rant, but people really need to know the truth!  It isn't like this for everyone, but it was certainly the reality for many at the very busy hospital I attended at the time.  

    What it teaches us is patience!

    I wish everyone the best and timely treatment. 
  • I think it is time to start calling and harassing until you get an answer, if not to start treatment, at least to know when to expect to.  If you don't have a breast care nurse then start with the surgeon.  Even with Covid, I don't think you should wait that long and WA prides itself on breast care treatment.
  • @Sister my radiation oncologist gave me a choice, because of COVID, I could start nearly straight away or wait for COVID to settle down. I chose to get it down ASAP, which with Victoria’s problems was a good choice. And the parking was easy cause not as many people were at the hospital. 
  • I suspect that treatments have been disrupted by Covid but @Elvenwishes should have a proposed date for treatment to start.