i am due to start chemo fairly soon, or so they keep telling me. First initial consult with my gp was 8 weeks ago. I then had mammogram and ultra sound, two weeks later had 3 biopsies, 10 days after that had assessment, another 10 days later had to have clip/marker inserted into tumour. Another week later (which will be next Monday) I have appointment with oncologist. My tumour is huge, 5.5 cm, so been told I will have chemo first for six months , followed by surgery then radiation for 5 weeks. I am priority 1 but feel like I am playing a waiting game. So will I have to wait another two weeks before chemo. It just seems to go on and on. I am however, upbeat, positive and keen to get started but the waiting is beginning to annoy me. Has anyone else had this wait? I am very lucky with great support from family and friends but they can't understand why everything takes so long. My mother in law seems to think it's because I am a public patient but I feel in this situation you are seen to by priority not how much money you have.

Hello:) I was a private patient,and from first GP appt to chemo was almost 6 weeks .In between I had surgery.I remember asking my surgeon if it would make a difference having to wait a few weeks.He replied' a few weeks now is not going to make a difference'.Be guided by your doctors,they know the best.I am 18 months past treatment and feel great.Cheers Robynxxx

Hi, I can understand where you are coming from, the waiting is terrible, I remember coming home from the diagnosis appointment and thinking awful things about the tumours growing every minute of every day. I had to wait a few weeks for surgery and I asked if the waiting was making things worse and the surgeon said 'no' it wouldn't make a difference. Try to keep busy to take your mind off things, all the best for your treatment, Hazel xx

Hi Lindyloo, I live in a rural remote area, and had to wait 3 weeks for the mammogram and needle biopsy after my GP appointment, then another week for the results. We have had private health insurance for years, so was able to have my surgery a week after my diagnosis. Otherwise I would have had to wait another month for surgery. I had a mastectomy, and auxiliary clearance. They found a 6cm lobular tumour and a ductal tumour. There were also 5 lymph nodes that had cancer. I'm currently having chemo, with 1 treatment to go, then will see the radio oncologist for 5 weeks of radiation, but have to travel to the city for this. I'm lucky that I have family to stay with for the radiation. We live 5 hours travel from the city, so that makes it difficult. I'll have to go onto some aromatise inhibitors for 5 years as my tumours are oestrogen reactive. We are all different, so the order of our treatments vary. It doesn't make it any less overwhelming for any of us. I hope that your surgery and treatments go well. Don't forget to log into our network, as you'll gain great comfort and support here. Take care, Tracey B ??

Hi Lindyloo i was public too... It seemed like a 2 week wait between every step - but it was surprising how efficiently it all got done. i think Cat 1 in public is within 30 days so as long as they get it done within that time frame they are ok. the waiting does suck especially when you just want to get it done so that you can put it behind you. And anything cancer related is given priority. Try not to stress too much and be guided by your doctors. Do you have a breast care nurse you can talk to if you are concerned about anything? wishing you all the best regards chris

Hi Lindyloo, You make me feel lucky. I saw my GP 11/5. Mammogram, US, FNA & core biopsy 21/5. She rang. & advised me of the results on the evening of 22/5. I saw a surgeon on 4/6, and had some more tests. Went back to her 10/6. She recommended chemo 1st, so referred me to a medical oncologist, as a public patient. On 12/6, I had a missed call prior to leaving for work. Recognising it as a hospital number, I called straight back, at 9:40am. They had a cancellation, & could I be there for a 1030 appointment. I jumped in my car and headed across town, getting there just in time. I was referred for insertion of a portacath, which I had done as a private patient 19/6. Started chemo 23/6, for 6 cycles. If I hadn't checked my phone before leaving for work, I would have missed that opportunity, & might still be waiting, like you. I think someone else has said it, but as a Cat 1, you should be seen within 30days, is my understanding. Hope it all goes well for you, will be thinking of you Lyn

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Anonymous
Not applicable
10 years ago
Hi Lindyloo, I live in a rural remote area, and had to wait 3 weeks for the mammogram and needle biopsy after my GP appointment, then another week for the results. We have had private health insurance for years, so was able to have my surgery a week after my diagnosis. Otherwise I would have had to wait another month for surgery. I had a mastectomy, and auxiliary clearance. They found a 6cm lobular tumour and a ductal tumour. There were also 5 lymph nodes that had cancer. I'm currently having chemo, with 1 treatment to go, then will see the radio oncologist for 5 weeks of radiation, but have to travel to the city for this. I'm lucky that I have family to stay with for the radiation. We live 5 hours travel from the city, so that makes it difficult. I'll have to go onto some aromatise inhibitors for 5 years as my tumours are oestrogen reactive. We are all different, so the order of our treatments vary. It doesn't make it any less overwhelming for any of us. I hope that your surgery and treatments go well. Don't forget to log into our network, as you'll gain great comfort and support here. Take care, Tracey B ??
Hazel_M
Member
10 years ago
Hi, I can understand where you are coming from, the waiting is terrible, I remember coming home from the diagnosis appointment and thinking awful things about the tumours growing every minute of every day. I had to wait a few weeks for surgery and I asked if the waiting was making things worse and the surgeon said 'no' it wouldn't make a difference. Try to keep busy to take your mind off things, all the best for your treatment,

Hazel xx
Robyn_W
Member
10 years ago
Hello:) I was a private patient,and from first GP appt to chemo was almost 6 weeks .In between I had surgery.I remember asking my surgeon if it would make a difference having to wait a few weeks.He replied' a few weeks now is not going to make a difference'.Be guided by your doctors,they know the best.I am 18 months past treatment and feel great.Cheers Robynxxx

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