It’s new so I’m new

I was only 6 days from path results at GP till surgery. My GP had already made me an appointment with a breast surgeon the following day, before she had even told me the results. That was a for a Thursday, and I had my first surgery the following Monday.

Hi I was told at Breast Screen on a Wednesday it was B/C on the following Friday I saw my GP the next day Saturday I saw the Surgeon and was operated as a private patient on the following Friday at the time I was told there was 6 week wait to be treated as a public patient, by that stage I was freaking out and wanted the cancer out ASAP It was the right decision for me but I had major out of pockets expenses

It's a shame you had a shitty time @Joannie but not all public patients have to put up with that.  Yes, the reconstruction waiting list is very long I agree and really needs to be addressed.  If you feel you are not getting the best treatment all you need to do is speak up. Nobody has to put up with it. There are processes, nurse unit managers, nurse navigators,  liason officers that will get it sorted. 

 To lump the whole public system and all hospitals into the same category is not appropriate, especially for people to read who have no other option than to go public. We are incredibly lucky in Australia to have the public system that we do and the breast cancer treatment train is a very well oiled machine here.  

I have heard some shitty stories from the private sector as well, it depends who's running the show I guess, like everything.

I am not sure which hospital you went to (which sounds like it needs an overhaul) but Cat 1 where I am goes on the urgency of the referral not after the planning. If you have cancer you are cat 1 from day 1. It may take a few weeks to get any extra scans, tests etc sorted out but as soon as you are ready you are in. Theatre lists are shuffled and rearranged to make room for urgent cases.

No, it's not the Hilton but all our ladies and gentlemen with breast or prostate cancer will be give a private room (we have 17) unless there was not another single bed available in the whole hospital . In wich case the bed manager, NUM's of the surgical wards, breast care nurses and theatre booking department would all work together to fix the problem.  Never would a female be put into a shared male room for something like that or vice versa.  Everything is planned the afternoon before for the next day as to what patients are having theatre and where they need to be on the ward in relation to the surgery they are having and any other existing health problems they may have.

There are many  surgeons who work both public and private as do some  nurses.  I am sure they don't go to work saying "I don't care about these patients because they are public patients but tomorrow I am working private so I'll care about them" . 
The vast majority of nurses (sure there's a grumpy one here and there) I have worked with or been treated by in any hospital are good, hardworking, caring people who really don't get paid enough for the job they do and some of the asshole patients they have to deal with.  

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I have gone public and I cannot praise the system here enough. BUT, it does depend on the individual hospital/state/etc. I am in Geelong. I had appointments/tests 9 days out of ten straight after I was diagnosed and then straight into chemo. Public patients here have the option of having their chemo at Epworth Private at no charge. I am so happy with the public clinic I stayed rather than move on to Epworth even though it is the same distance from home. My Public provided Oncologist jumps in to fight for me even when I don't need it. The main problems I have encountered came from the private breast clinic where I paid to have my initial testing.

My public oncologist is the most wonderful caring person I have met, I have received calls from her at home and can call her personal mobile anytime if I have any concerns and when I had my first round of cancer I went as a public patient and was treated wonderfully by everyone and I had a private room even though I was  public patient in a country hospital.

My long wait was due to being transferred to a totally different hospital and because I wanted recon from plastic surgeon not breast surgeon and they had never seen me before there was a bit of waiting due to clinic days having to start the process as they run it and trying to fit me in to see both surgeons. They were lovely. There was a few glitches which I prefer to go into denial about and not talk about, but I am happy with the end result.
Delays at original hospital were because it was actually closing down and the department being transferred to the new hospital at the time so they were a bit disorganised as to be expected. Alls well that ends well.

@FreckledGalaxy
I'm very new to this forum as well but reading everyone's messages has been very encouraging. 
I was diagnosed on the 10th August, met with the surgeon on the 13th August and she wanted to perform a lumpectomy the following day. For other reasons this was not possible but I ended up having my first surgery on the 21st August.  11 days after diagnosis.  I've since had a double mastectomy on the 4th September due to the cancer having spread further than originally thought.  It all happens so fast and the roller coaster just doesn't seem to every stop.  It's an emotional one that's for sure. But with support from all areas, family, friends, medical, these types of forums, counselling, whatever you need to get by each day, you will make it through.  Be kind to yourself and know that you'll have good days and bad. The tears will come, but so will the laughter. 
I wish you all the very best and sending love and hugs your way xoxo

Hello @Joannie
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