Newly diagnosed. Am I being mucked around by the hospital?

Thanks everyone and thanks @Carissa_BCNA for that handy timeline guide. My surgeon spoke about doing the surgery first but after my biopsy (finally) tomorrow (Thurs 16/12) and then seeing her on Tues 21st I’ll have more of an idea of what we’re dealing with! Must admit that I’m in the denial phase of them having made a mistake and it’s just a fibroadenoma -of which I have a 40 year history! 🤦🏻‍♀️

Hi @Nattyv63 I just wanted to let you know that often surgery is the last, not the first step in treatment. I had chemo, then radiotherapy, then surgery. This was because the tumour was large and close to the skin, so they wanted to shrink it down as much as possible before performing a mastectomy. This worked really well and I had a Diep flap reconstruction with minimal scarring (of the breast anyway) as they were able to save all the breast skin apart from the nipple. The scar is barely visible now and it's just a circle where the nipple and areola used to be (they put the transplanted tissue in through that hole then used skin from my tummy to replace the nipple/areola).

Hi @Nattyv63

This is a link to the Optimal Care Pathway for breast cancer. It's a reference guide that outlines optimal timelines for diagnostic testing, surgery and connecting with health professionals. Feel free to take this with you to appointments or use it as a reference point when talking to your treating team to help make sure you are receiving the most optimal care possible. https://www.cancervic.org.au/downloads/health-professionals/ocp/CC%20QRG%20Breast%202021.pdf

Take care
@Carissa_BCNA

Hi @Nattyv63,
Oh yes AllyJay, the squeaky wheel gets the oil! Sorry this is happening to you Nattyv63- the waiting is vey stressful. A core biopsy should be done fairly soon after mammogram bc diagnosis.I think I waited about a week. My surgery was then booked in 2wks later(the first time 2003) and 3wks later( 2nd time in 2010). I was private hosp for the first time and public for the next time but had my private surgeon.Unfortunately things can slow down abit at this time of year.I personally think your biopsy wait is a tad long as it means your surgery could be fobbed off till the new year?You should get biopsy results within a few days and see your surgeon. Perhaps take someone with you and don’t allow your surgery to be delayed- have a meltdown if you have to! You seem happy with your surgeon and the hospital is convenient so stick with it- you’ve come this far.Big hug xx

Thanks @FLClover. I saw this pic the other day and it really resonated.

@AllyJay I had a similar experience where I wouldn't budge nor go away.  I was in the hospital for the "education session" for my chemo to commence the next week, but earlier that morning one of my breasts was so hot and inflamed, and I thought I had an infection, so not stressing, I thought I could get it looked at whilst there with the nurse for the education session.  She said I don't think we have a doctor that can see you, and said to go to the emergency department.  Um, hey, I am in the oncology breast clinic department and you can't get a doctor to look at my breast?  Is my surgeon here?  I held my ground, wouldn't go, she called the NUM, and the same response go to emergency and wait in line there.  No, I said, I won't go, I want to see a doctor, this went on for over nearly two hours.  I said I am happy to wait, but I won't leave without seeing a doctor!  The nurse even took a look to see the state of my breast, but still wanted me to go down to emergency and line up there, and said it could be a long wait, or even to come back the next day she said. They then finally rang my surgeon who has in his room, and he was happy to see me.  Turned out my infection was so bad, that he put me on an extra strong dose of antibiotics, and was quite disgusted they were going to fob me off to emergency to wait to see a doctor there.  

The nurse and NUM just kept saying we don't have a doctor to see you!  I wanted to say should I go to McDonald's to see if there are doctors there!  Lol, a hospital without doctors, what a joke.  

Stay vigilant and stand up for yourself everybody!  

Love your new profile pic @Cath62! Totally agree 💯💯

Hi there @Nattyv63. As has already been said, the grindstone that is public medicine can sometimes be a bit ponderous. One's natural instinct is to get rid of the cancer now...preferably yesterday...or last week, but behind the scenes the wheels are turning. Having said that, I've been known in the past, when getting the general run around waiting to see someone other than a minion still using their training wheels, to dig in my heels. On this occasion I was getting the old "Dr So and So is busy with his clinic right now, but give me your name and number, and his clerk will give you a ring to set up an appointment". This was the third time around with this not-so-merry-go round. I said, "Not to worry, I've bought a packet of sandwiches, a banana and a bottle of water from home, and I also have my knitting and kindle...I'll be happy to wait". After about an hour of watching me munching and yarn flicking...lo and behold...I was called in to see The Great Man himself. The squeaky wheel gets the oil.

Thank you and hi yourself! 😀

Just wanted to say hello.  Everyone has given you great advice.   Be kind to yourself.