New breakthrough in HR+ & hormone therapy for breast cancer

Hi there. I am recently diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer (3 months) and my oncologist wanted to start me on palbociclib but it didn't make the PBS in June. I have been petitioning Federal MPs and the PBS about it, but in the meantime found out about the compassionate scheme for ribociclib for newly-diagnosed patients. This was for people with under 29 days of treatment with Letrozole (I was on day 26) and therefore we decided to stop my treatment and apply (a massive process). 2 weeks ago I was informed that I am one of the 30 Australian women to be granted this drug by Novartis, but we've been waiting daily for it to arrive. Two days ago I had a call from the hospital to say it looks as though it will now go before an Ethics Committee (whatever that is!) which will take up to 12 months. In the meantime I cannot take any more Letrozole or I will lose my place on the compassionate scheme. Am I supposed to take no treatment whatsoever for another year, just to qualify as 'newly diagnosed'? I don't understand why they can do this to us! It's hard enough living in a rural community, as we're a long way from the cancer hospitals as it is! Not expecting any replies, just having a bit of a vent...