I feel like i have been going in circles. With test and options but no action. Just wondering how long others waited?

@Lulu28 I remember being nervous about every day which passed prior to treatment starting properly so I completely understand your feeling there!I’m a public patient and got my initial biopsy back on 28 December last year. I started chemo 5 February (I’m doing surgery after chemo, we wanted to wait for BRCA before operating)... the “delay” was due to staging tests and a round of IVF.I was kind of forced to take private referrals during staging, as public clinics were closed until mid Jan. I then got referred by those specialists into the public when everything re opened, but armed with test results and a vague plan of attack. If your delays are due to specialist availability, perhaps try and see them in the private, if the cost isn’t prohibitive? Alternatively, could you seek a second opinion if you feel your team are not making decisions? Or seek the help/guidance of a Breast Care Nurse through either the hospital or Mcgrath? Good luck to you with your treatment x

Hi @Lulu28, I also went private. Diagnosed 20/7/16, referral to surgeon 25/7, surgery 1/8/16.I had a left nipple sparing mastectomy with immediate silicone implant and fortunately my cancer was low grade with clear nodes so no chemo needed. It can all be a bit clunky at this stage but once a treatment plan is worked out, things will start to move fast and you will be on a roller coaster you can’t get off. Do you have a GP who can give you some advice? Definitely seek a second opinion if you aren’t happy - you are the most important person at this time. Being confident in your medical team is so importanf. Glad you have found us. You will have a lot of support from everyone here. All the best, Jane x

The hookwire biopsy will be good.as they will definitively be able to sample your lesion.Unfortunately sometimes the best advocate for a patient is themself. It's great to luck into a well oiled treatment team but it doesn't always happen that way. Remember the squeaky wheel gets the oil! If you have a good GP and/or Breastcare nurse, enlist them to keep at the surgeon & oncologist on your behalf. You could also ring the BCNA helpline to see if they could assist you in any way. 1800 500 258.Best of luck & let us know how you get on. K xox

Hi I was diagnosed on a Wednesday through Breast Screen saw my GP on Friday, the following day Saturday I saw the Breast Surgeon has a lumpectomy on Friday as a private patient out of pocket expenses was $3000.00 at the time the wait as a public patient was a month I had my radiation treatment has a public patient I also are on tamoxifen fortunately no side effects It was has been a roller coaster journey for the last 11 months

Hi @Lulu28,What a pain in the butt it is waiting and chasing things around. I went public.Diagnoses 29 sept. Surgical apt the following Friday. I could have been operated on on the Monday if I had opted for mastectomy but I wanted lumpectomy if possible. My surgeon said that it had probably been there for years so a couple more weeks wasn't going to make any difference,Chased the primary breast tumour around for a month as it couldn't be felt (orignal lump I had found in LN) 2 x mammos 2 x us couldn't find it. The MRI did, It was well hidden and deep.2 core biopsies as the first one missed. Went to a different place and they were able to hit it. The doctor there said "sometimes its like shooting for a grain of sand in a bowl of jelly" LOLSo it ended up one month and one day since diagnosis to surgery.

How long after being diagnosed with BC did u have/start treatment?

20 Replies

arpie
Member
7 years ago
Hi @Lulu28
My GP found my lump (tiny) in late Nov after I attended for a pap smear. I had an ultrasound & mammogram in early Dec. The Mam STILL missed it, even tho the GP gave the exact location! (I have NO faith in Mammograms now!!) The Ultrasound was 'undecided' & recommended a biopsy, which I had between Xmas & New Year.

I was diagnosed with Grade 2 Invasive Lobular Cancer on Jan 5th (one of the more difficult ones to find 'early' as it is in amongst the 'grapes' of the boob, so tricky to feel by hand - so I was VERY lucky my GP has such GOOD HANDS) but because most of the surgeons were still on Xmas Holidays til Jan 15th, saw my surgeon in Sydney on Jan 15th, had Sentinel Node Biopsy on 16th & surgery on 17th Jan. I went private & whilst it did cost $3500 out of pocket - I didn't have to wait for it & I reckon I had the best surgery EVER & it is currently difficult to tell which boob was done at this exact moment!! (My Rad Onc had to check her notes last week to see which boob it was - and the Onc yesterday was in AWE of how 'natural' my boob looks and will be keeping the name of my surgeon handy!) He is Dr James French, working out of Westmead and HSS hospital Baulkham Hills.

I went on to have 4 weeks radiation (public at no cost) in March & am now seeing the Oncologist (public no cost) and started Letrozole as of yesterday.

All the best with your treatment & surgery - this is the BEST FORUM to be on for good old fashioned honest discussion on EVERYTHING! If you have ANY questions, fears etc - raise them hear & you'll get helpful, informative advice. xxxx
Anonymous
7 years ago
The user and all related content has been deleted.
tigerbeth
Member
7 years ago
@Lulu28 @Joannie ,yes it was all amazingly quick ! I have my GP to thank for organizing my biopsy for me so quickly . I had the mammogram & us one afternoon ,he called me at 9.15 the following morning to tell me to go for the biopsy @ 11.30 that day ! I didn't have time to think or prepare (probably a good thing ) I've been extremely lucky .

I was very impressed with the care I received ,the team was a well oiled machine & everything flowed nicely.
What a shame that all hospitals /centres cant provide the same level of service ,making it even more stressful during the wait time .
Anonymous
7 years ago
The user and all related content has been deleted.
smokie08
Member
7 years ago
I was diagnosed on 10th April first oncology app 1st may started chemo on 5th saw surgeon on 3rd may but as very aggressive oncologist recommend chemo first surgeon happy with that as said would do breast conserving surgery . Op was 24th oct started rads 27th nov all in public system
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
@tigerbeth I think that's how our guy likes to operate!
Lulu28
Member
7 years ago
@tigerbeth thats amazing. How quick. Your right about a whirlwind.
tigerbeth
Member
7 years ago
Ultrasound/mammogram 22/3
biopsy 23/3
surgeon appt 4/4
lumpectomy , sentinel node biopsy 26/4
radiation starting 12/6. All public !

A veritable whirlwind !!
Cant believe its happened some times !
Starts to be a bit bearable once your on the merry go round !
I also had the hook wire procedure before my surgery as lump was deep & couldn't be felt .
Good luck & I hope things run smoothly for you from now on .
It's crap but we all know how you feel .
xxx
lrb_03
Member
7 years ago
You're making me feel lucky with the smooth run I had 3 years ago. 21st May, diagnosed. 4th June 1sr appointment with surgeon - private, recommended chemo 1st, pending a couple more results, saw her again 11th June. Saw Oncologist around 15th or 16th. Port inserted 19th , started chemo 23rd of June, public. Surgery (done privately) was 3weeks after last chemo, radiation as a public patient just over 6 weeks later
Lulu28
Member
7 years ago
I have my timeline haha. 26th Feb mammogram/architectural distortion.
Surgeons app sent away for ultra sound. Sent for stereotatic. 27th March core biopsy. 29th March confirmed cancer. MRI 18th April. 23rd April surgical appointment. 4th may core biopsy 10th may oncology appointnent which was cancelled due to no results. 11th may core biopsy. 14th may surgical appointment waiting now for 1st June excisional biopsy. You guys responding are my real life angels. I do feel good now they have at least admitted defeat on the core biopsies.