So, 18 years ago aged 34 I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I underwent a right sided mastectomy, reconstruction using a muscle flap from my back and an implant, 6 months of intense chemotherapy, (CMF, I think it was called) 4 weeks of radiotherapy, then 5 years of Tamoxifen. We all breathed a sigh of relief and life sort of went back to normal. 3 years ago I was admitted routinely to have my implant renewed, and low and behold the nasty little vermin had returned, so once again , surgery to remove the tumor and more radiotherapy. 11 weeks ago I discovered a lump, I have to say the hospital were very quick to see me, I phoned on the Wednesday and was seen on the Friday where they scanned the area and surprise surprise, the lump was clear, but the radiographer found two areas that she deemed to be a worth investigation. She biopsied all suspect areas and the original reported lump,but was not at all positive and was very sympathetic towards my husband and I, her words on leaving were, ‘God bless you’, as you can imagine, this really did put the fear of God into me!! Anyway, we returned to see the Consultant straight after the scan and he made another appointment to return in three weeks, on our return I was told that I had stage 2 ductal breast cancer (again), he then recommended a CT and full bone scan, 3 weeks later these were carried out, two weeks later I returned for the results, luckily my bone scan is clear, but the CT scan showed what he thinks is a Heamangomia which are quite harmless, but, to be safe, he then advised an MRI, two weeks later the MRI has been completed and after phoning my breast care nurse for a rough idea of when I will get the results and a treatment plan I was told it could be another two or three weeks!!! How long does one normally wait for treatment???
Hi Louise
Sorry hear of your recent troubles… The problems with MRIs is only certain people can read them and often they have to be looked at by two people so if somebody is on holiday or off sick there may be a delay… But i would have thought 2-3 wold have been enough.
Haemangiomas are pretty common and basically like birth marks but can appear in the organs like liver and lung, as well as the breast but are entirely normal.
Like o i have had BC a number of times at 37, 40, 43 and most recently with lung mets last month now 45… The last two were picked up by MRI but needed further investigations to confirm… In 2011 i had my mammo on the thursday 11th aug but i got a call a week later to tell me i needed and ultrasound and biopsy of a suspicious area in my chest the following tuesday… I had an FNA and they confirmed it was malignant that day 23 august.
This year i had my MRI on fri 9th aug… But had no call so i phoned a week later and was told its been read but not fully reported… Took that to mean it was normal… But on the monday i had a call to say there was a suspicious lesion in my lung and had an CT that friday which confirmed it was malignant… It was 23 august… Diagnosed the exact same date two years apart… All done pretty quickly and efficiently… I had surgery on sept 14th the last time and this time i had a bronchoscopy to confirm the type of cancer on the 12th and have my results and treatment plan set for friday.
Personally i would be phoning PALS (patient liaison) to find out whats taking so long… That must be about two months since you were diagnosed… Think id be asking for a second opinion or moving hospitals if they cannot get the results any quicker.
Good luck and hope the MRI is normal and you can get on with treatment xxxx