Forum Discussion
Newly diagnosed
Hi there, I've recently been diagnosed with stage 2. I'm rather stressed that I haven't been able to get in sooner to see a specialist. It'll be a month from diagnosis to appointment. I've read of so many of you seeing someone within the week. Is this the difference between public and private?
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- Thanks ladies! I called the bcna phone line and had a chat to someone who was very helpful.
- Sorry to see you both here, @Mahjah and @Mareealso ... but you are in the right spot for answers from those who've 'been there, done that'.
It is always so stressful when the lump is first discovered & then more MG and US (mammogram & Ultrasound) prior to the biopsy ..... and the waiting for the scan results is like sitting on a razor's edge ....
Being diagnosed This time of year can mean delays in being seen .... as most Drs/hospitals are gearing up for the Xmas 'break' and most surgeons don't come back to work til Mid January.
That's exactly what happened to me back in 2017, just 4 months after a clear mammogram .... my lump was found by accident by my GP in Oct, so I then had another MG & US - and it was still 'undecided', so the radiologist suggested a biopsy being done.
Being rural/regional, It took forever to get an appt for the biopsy - which ended up being done the day after Boxing Day ...... I got my results on January 5th & I contacted one of the surgeons suggested by my GP (I chose to go private for surgery, so I could get in quicker) ..... and I got in to see him on his first day back from Xmas Holidays in Mid Jan. I had a Sentinel Node test the next day (to see which nodes the tumours were draining to) and I had my surgery the day after. So it was almost 3 months to the day, to my surgery, since discovering the tumours. :( NOT IDEAL! My brain was going off in tangents!
It is easy for me to say @Mahjah - but try not to get too stressed by the time interval from discovery to your first surgeon appt. Did your Biopsy identify which BC you have?
Try & keep as busy as you can in the mean time, doing things you love doing. That keeps your brain busy too! You could start cooking up some meals & freezing them, for easy dinners when you get out of hospital!
If you are feeling stressed/worried, please call our helpline on 1800500258 and have a chat (Mon-Fri) xx
In the mean time, check out this post for lots of info on the forum - including 'tick sheets' to 'self assess' how you are going both physically and mentally xx. Sometimes, It is just easier to fill the sheets in & give it to your team, than to talk about it :( Also, tips on what to take to hospital & all sorts of other stuff, too. Even some 'funnies' to read - god knows we all need a laugh! ;)
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-our-new-members#latest
Take care & all the best Well done, Mahjah, for picking up on that. Understanding the timing of the appointments, tests, and surgeries was something I needed clarity on too. My surgeon mentioned that if I'm under public health, the surgery would be scheduled within a maximum of 4 weeks. However, it actually took 6 weeks after the diagnosis. Nonetheless, both my MRI and CT scans were conducted in the first week following the diagnosis.
Following the lumpectomy surgery, I had an appointment with the surgeon after 12 days. During that meeting, I was informed that a re-excision was necessary, which was then scheduled for another 6 weeks after the initial surgery. The waiting time worried me considerably, so I sought clarification from my surgeon, McGrath nurse, and GP. They all reassured me that it was acceptable. While the waiting period is longer under public health, I don't believe the medical team would endanger our lives due to that fact. And I still do not know what my treatment would be after the re excision. I just try to be patient. I also believe that the type of cancer plays a role in determining the treatment schedule.
It's crucial to ask all questions to your surgeon, GP, and ensure you have the support of a McGrath nurse. and of course always get in touch with us, other women on this network as we are on the same boat.
- Unfortunately Mahjah, I think it depends on where you live. I am in rural Victoria and am in the public system. My testing (mammogram, ct scan and ultrasound) were all spaced approx a week apart for each one in a town 45 minutes away. My surgery was relatively quick from the first appointment with the surgeon to the surgery was a week apart but in a town 1 and a half hours away. I am still waiting to find out what treatment I will be having and it has been a fortnight from my first after surgery appointment. You may find that you will need to be proactive in ensuring that everything is being done in a timely manner. Our public health system does struggle at times ..
