Hi @lilly123
I’m sorry that you find yourself here, but we’ll get through it together. The forum is a very safe and supportive place.
I’m sorry your oncologist isn’t onsite until October, seems a bit odd. I had my diagnosis last May when masks were still mandated but it was mainly face to face. The oncologist examined me in clinic. The only time I had a telephone call was after our first meeting and to discuss extra test results. I needed an MRI to size the tumour to find another tumour in the other boob as well. Then the results of this were discussed over the phone. This consultant was a locum and went back to Spain by the time I started chemotherapy. I was swapped to another who I’ve never met. He was ill before and after my first chemo so met a lovely professor who covered his clinic. After that I met with a senior clinical nurse practitioner for the rest of my treatment. Since finishing radiotherapy I’ve had a couple of further phone calls to discuss my MUGA scan for my heart due to Herceptin.
Your breast surgeon, oncologist and others would have formed a multi disciplinary team to discuss your case. But if I was you I would like to meet face to face, so many times things are said or done and it pops into your brain to say something that doesn’t happen on the phone. Maybe you could enquire why they are not on site and that you would like to meet face to face, they may be able to swap consultant. The oncologist will work with a team with a consultant at the top and multiple junior doctors in training under them.
The breast nurses I have met always say they like to meet face to face as there are many body and facial expressions that can be picked up in clinic. Anxiety, feelings and relationships (if accompanied).
I noticed you mentioned the 62 days and they do try to start treatment within that time but many things can alter this. I found a lump in April and didn’t start my treatment until July. 3 months on because of the 2nd lump and subsequent biopsy tests. I was told most tumours grow much slower than we think and that to get it right first time is best, so waiting isn’t such a bad thing. It can be hard to hear because the waiting is the worst.
Remember you are important, when you have your call on the 2nd explain how you are feeling. You can also talk through your feeling with a BCN nurse
Helpline: 0808 800 6000 (Mon-Fri 9am-4pm; Sat 9am-1pm). Speak to our trained helpline team. No questions are too big or too small
Let us know how you get on 