Hi there,I was diagnosed with breast cancer 5 weeks ago. I am now 4 weeks post surgery after a lumpectomy. I had a grade 2 invasive ductal carcinoma. My specialist informed me last Thursday that I will definitely require radiation and hormone therapy, however chemo is still undecided as I am borderline but it is likely to happen. He said he was going to do a referral straight away for the Oncologist, I have heard nothing yet. Is it normally to take a while ? I have a lot of questions about the chemo and I am frustrated with not being able to get some answers. I do not normally go out much but I have quite a few events booked for Jan to March 2018 and am wondering how chemo may affect these events. Am I going to be able to attend ? Will I be too sick ? How bad are the side effects ? And so on. Not to mention being able to get back to work, how long ? I am a FIFO worker which makes the work situation even harder.Any help with answers or advice would be greatly appreciated as I know very little about breast cancer thank you.Kind RegardsJazz

Thank you ladies for your comments it is greatly appreciated. The more posts I read the more I realise I may just have to try it and see how I go, hopefully I won't be too sensitive to it. I do have a breast care nurse whom I emailed last week with my concerns but I have not heard back from her as yet. I will get onto my specialist on Monday and find out what is going on as waiting is no good when I want to get back to work ! It doesn't help that it is almost Christmas too which I'm gathering will delay my treatment too ? Rach I would be very interested to see how your journey goes as it is very similar to mine and at a similar stage also. I'm still trying to understand the lingo everyone is using and figure out how to read the pathology report properly to understand more details of the findings. This is the first time I have even talked about my diagnose in detail as I guess I just didn't think it was real. I just though the lump is gone now I'm all good lets move on. It was the discussion of my treatment that made reality hit me like a freight train. :-( Anyway talking to those that have experienced the same makes me feel a lot better so thank you all. :-)

Thanks for your helpful comments ladies I really appreciate it. I'm still in a bit of a head spin as everything has happened so fast since the appointments. I have a pile of brochures to read and just can't find the time so far in between the appointments and trying to continue my study. I will be going into tomorrows 1st session a little blind unless I get some reading done tonight ! @Unicornkisses I will certainly check out the websites you suggested thank you. @ Salpal good luck with your surgery on Thursday, it's a bit daunting but it is actually a breeze once it's done. There is a sense of relief because you know the BC has been removed. Talk to you all soon about the treatment.

I'd be on the phone Monday and ask the specialist who he referred you to and a contact number and get on to them...pointing out it's 5 weeks since surgery. As to how you will be...well it's not something you can know in advance. It depends on what chemo they offer and how you are affected. I was really unwell and unable to work. I had good weeks though snd hood days. Many women though are able to continue to work throughout and continue most activities.I was able to travel away for short trips when timing right and drugs sorted. I went out for meals for many family events. I just got tired easily and ready to be home by 9. I hope this helps. Does your hospital have a Cancer Care Coordinator or do you have a breast care nurse. Either can also assist in hurrying along your oncology appointment. Kath x

Hi Jazz, all the waiting and all the unknowns do your head in, that's for sure. It will get easier once you have some idea of what you're dealing with. As Kath said, get onto your breast specialist and see what's going on with your referral. Having no plan in place 5 weeks post surgery must be frustrating. When it comes to chemo, we're all extremely different. Some work comfortably all the way through with minimal side effects and others are literally bed-ridden for weeks at a time. I think we all have good and bad weeks too. It's impossible to speculate. It's a bit of a case of try it and see. Wouldn't it be nice if the oncologist tells you don't need chemo?!! Here's hoping xxxooo

Hi @Jazz26, there is an excellent booklet you can read and download called Your Guide to the Breast Cancer Pathology Report on www.breastcancer.org the main breast cancer website in US. It has places you can fill in your own details and refer to the description. This will help a lot with understanding the pathology.There is also a fact sheet on pathology that is helpful on the main BCNA website here under resources.One thing I have realised through all this is that you have to take control of the process if you want peace of mind. You will learn what questions to ask such as - when should I hear back from the ....... Insert specialist here ...... With my appointment?That way if the call doesn't come when you expect it, you can ring straight away.I would want to know who the referral was to and their contact number before leaving the specialists rooms. You will find the receptionists are usually very helpful with that information.

Waiting for oncologist ?? | BCNA Online Network

32 Replies

Molly001
Member
8 years ago
Hi Jazz, all the waiting and all the unknowns do your head in, that's for sure. It will get easier once you have some idea of what you're dealing with. As Kath said, get onto your breast specialist and see what's going on with your referral. Having no plan in place 5 weeks post surgery must be frustrating. When it comes to chemo, we're all extremely different. Some work comfortably all the way through with minimal side effects and others are literally bed-ridden for weeks at a time. I think we all have good and bad weeks too. It's impossible to speculate. It's a bit of a case of try it and see. Wouldn't it be nice if the oncologist tells you don't need chemo?!! Here's hoping xxxooo
primek
Member
8 years ago
I'd be on the phone Monday and ask the specialist who he referred you to and a contact number and get on to them...pointing out it's 5 weeks since surgery.

As to how you will be...well it's not something you can know in advance. It depends on what chemo they offer and how you are affected. I was really unwell and unable to work. I had good weeks though snd hood days. Many women though are able to continue to work throughout and continue most activities.

I was able to travel away for short trips when timing right and drugs sorted. I went out for meals for many family events. I just got tired easily and ready to be home by 9.

I hope this helps. Does your hospital have a Cancer Care Coordinator or do you have a breast care nurse. Either can also assist in hurrying along your oncology appointment. Kath x

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Waiting for oncologist ??

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