Sorry I am sooooooooo mad as I have just got of the phone from the hospital where I am expecting to have my surgery and they have said the earliest they can get me in is 4th Februray.
I was diagnosed with grade 3 IDC on friday and they want to get more tissue and possibly take 4 lymph nodes so this is the best they can do?
Has anyone else had to wait this amount of time for surgery. Sorry I may be a bit panicky but they want to do this to check the cancer had not spread but you know in 4 weeks time yes it possibly could have surely?
Now what?? arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…
and of course then its another 2 weeks after that to find out the results about whether it had spread.
I had my chemo first so not in same situation as you. Am really sorry to hear about this and really feel for you as when I was waiting to start chemo and waiting to get all test results back etc I felt the same as you did about the cancer spreading. Anyway an aunt of mine was in a similar situation to you and ended up having her operation done privately and then going back on the NHS for the rest of the treatment but she lives in Leeds and things may be different up there.
If you would like me to find out any more information from my aunt I am very happy to do so.
Sending you hugs
As with Ruby I had chemo before op, but as I was dithering around a bit (second opinion and a repeat core biopsy), my chemo didn’t start for at least 3 weeks after diagnosis. I was getting worried but was assured that it was fine by the oncs.
But I was still worried that it could be growing and spreading in that time even though I was assured it would be fine. Also only started rads today and had my op on 21st Nov… It’s such a worry having to wait and wondering what could be happening in the meantime. Can you speak to your BCN and ask her about it?
Sorry can’t offer any more help, try not to worry. It might be worth looking into private op though to put your mind at rest.
Thank you so much for that. I am calling a woman at my GP sugery tomorrow who apparently can refer me to a private hospital. I am due to see my consultant and breast care nurse this friday and I am going to pin them down on this as she told me ealier today my op would be in the next few weeks. I know they had my report back about my tumour on the 24th Dec but hey cos its Christmas I can wait till 4th Jan to be told the " news". So why the hell wasn’t I put on the “list” for surgery when they knew this was my outcome.
arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh again Ruby…
its just this time factor isn’t it?? I feel I have waited for ages all the way along from Oct being told its nothing to worry about and now of course it is something to worry about and yet more time waiting…!!! I don’t expect to be put at the top but to me time is of the essence.!!
Thats it I just want my surgery asap and then yes I would be happy to have rest of treatment on NHS can’t see why not !!
I think i got a date that was three weeks after dx. I decided to go private in the end as they could fit me in within a week and I don’t regret it. I am now back on the NHS for my chemo treatment etc but for the surgery, i just felt i wanted to get started and get it out asap. Saying that, I was reassured by all the docs that another month or six weeks wait makes no difference to the actual outcome, i.e. cancer spread etc. For me, it was psychological. Carrie
Ruby, you can do like what I did and just ring your local private hospital, or go online to spire health (bupa) and look up the breast surgery consultant, ring his or her secretary tomorrow and they’ll make you an urgent appt to see private consultant. once you’ve seen them you’ll be in within a week like i was. if you’re happy to go private i’d just go for it and sort it yourself tomorrow. carrie
I had my “benign” lump taken out on 12th Dec. I have waited up till now 4th Jan to get the results, The plan of action is to do more surgery to take the tissue and possibly 4 nodes then wait 2 weeks for results from that and then approx 4 weeks till chemo/rads. That of course is if the tissue they take next has clear margins. My BCN said today if those margins weren’t clear they would go in again to take more tissue until it is clear…!! well I have had some time to think on that one but I think I would be asking for a masectomy if it comes to them wanting to go in again and again !!
I know I am probably panicking about it spreading but it is months since I first went with this. Begiining Oct and when I think surgery in Feb etc it feels like forever…!!
Thank you both for your input sorry I sound very moany…I will be in better mood later, honest.!!@+_@+@_+@_+@+
It’s so infuriating and upsetting for you and I really hope they sort you out tomorrow. Do you have private healthcare or does it mean you’ll have to pay? I remember when first diagnosed around middle June this year I didn’t start chemo until middle of July so there was all that time for cancer to reek havoc around my body which is rather worrying.
Please do let me know how you get on tomorrow.
Thinking of you
xxxxxxxx
God what a whinge bag I am anyway I called the local BUPA hospital and got the names and numbers of the 2 consultants and yes low and behold they are the consultants I am under now.!!! I will see my GP tomorrow for the referral and still kick up about the waiting time and yes if I can have surgery then we will have to go into some savings we have to pay for this and hopefully I can have other treatment back on NHS.
Will let you know how I go Ruby. How are you doing Ruby??
I had my treatment privately - it is a different world. I was dx on the Thursday and the lump and nodes were out 2 days later with the path report 3 days after that.
I was lucky to have insurance through work but I would definitely advice you to do it if you can afford it and lets face it what is " Rainy day" money for - it doesn’t come more rainy than this!!!
You are not a winge bag - you have every reason to be feeling the way you do and as you can see this website is the place to come to air your feelings.
If you are happy with your consultants then if you can find the money and gives you peace of mind then def go for it. I really hope they can get the op done quickly.
I am doing fine thanks and my life is much better than it was. I’m in a better place in my head now. I’ve always been pretty positive about this horrible disease and the fact I’m going to be ok but sometimes we all have a wobbly moment and thanks for asking.
I totally think you should go privately if you have savings. I only wish i had done. I used to have yearly mammograms at my local private hospital and this time they found something, i decided to have the biopsey on the NHS as i really did not think it would be BC. Worst mistake i ever made as the private hospital i went to told me that once i left private care to go back on the NHS i would not be able to switch back again to private care! I am so hoping that this is not right and the other ladies out there are correct and you can have your surgery private and treatment on the NHS. I also have no private medical insurance so would have to pay myself but i really think it would be worth it after the dreadful experience i had on the NHS (another story). I would definately use my savings and go private in the future if i was allowed too, yes i agree this is what ‘rainy day’ money is for!
All the very best and if it is not too personal i would love to know approx how much it would all cost as i would also be a self payer.
I am sure you will feel much better already knowing something is finally being done and I do wish you all the very best.
I am calming down now…pheweeeee poor hubby !!!anyway I will see how I get on tomorrow and keep you posted and if I get a price etc then I will post that too for you Suzzanne
Ruby I don’t know your’e story but I am glad you are doing ok.Even since Friday I have found this site and the fab ladies on it a real comfort and such a help.!!
Thank you so much
(((((((((((((( hug )))))))))))))))))))))
xx
A 4 week wait does seem for ever…I guess its the seasonal backlog. Might be worth making a fuss about the time wait…ring the hospital and speak to someone more senior. Pushy patients get taken notice of. In terms of spread a wait of 4 weeks will probably make no difference at all ( I know that doesn’t sound right but a few weeks here and there really don’t make any difference…bit scary I know.)
If you do go private make sure you get a quote for everything…the surgeon’s fees, the anaesthetist’s fees, the hospital room may be invoiced separately. Then there is paying for associated blood tests, the pathology report etc. It all adds up.
I think it feels so long as I had the lump removed 12th Dec so I then waited till 4th Jan to be told and now having to wait another 4 weeks for more surgery just panics me.
I will defo get a full quote if I do go private…hubby will make sure of that also.!!
Thanks for the best wishes…having a wobbly morning so best get kiddies ready and then of to Docs.!!
The time length does seem long. Ring the sec at hospital and explain circumstances ie the wait before xmas and see what they can do.
I was treated NHS all the way and my care was fantastic - could not fault it.
Think we might live nearby as on another thread saw you mention PRH Haywards Health. I did not have my treatment there but live in West Sussex near the surrey end.
Hope you manage to resolve things and yes it is infuriating when the nhs consultant is the same as the private ones.
Hi - Sorry you find yourself here and having to make such horrible decisions
I waited 4 weeks between diagnosis and surgery. This was my choice, I had booked a trip with my daughter. Knowing I was going to be laid up for months I really wanted a final fling so to speak. My surgeon and oncologist said leaving it another 2 weeks would make no difference to the final outcome, breast cancer is a slow developing tumour.
As it was I had great mini-break in Brussels and went into the whole thing with some nice things to think about and mega stash of Belgian chocs.
I know it is a terrifying situation to find yourself in but try to hold on in there. Perhaps it is worth talking to the BCC helpline. You may feel that it is worth saving the money that private treatment would cost and using it for a really good holiday or something. However in the end you must take the option that you feel happiest with.
Good luck with your treatment what ever you decide - hugs Swanie
Had very low day today. Started out okish but then after dropping daughter of at school just in floods of tears on and off all morning. I got a call from my GP ( I have 2 as they both work part-time) and he was very apologetic about the “news”. I then spoke to a very nice lady on this helpline number and got less teary.
It just comes in floods and to be honest I just feel like I have lost confidence in my consultants etc. I am trying to understand how a grade 3 tumour doesn’t show up on any tests until it is removed? I thought IDC could possibly mean it has travelled but yet it didn’t show up in this thorough tests.!! My BC nurse said yesterday for all weknow you could be cured but we are giving you an insurance backup by checking the lymph nodes, taking more tissue and giving you chemo and rads. You know when she said that I felt " yeah could possibly be " and then the horrible negative dark thoughts come in and I am trying hard to tell them to ****er off.
My surgery as it stands is 1st feb but having pre-op assessment next week. I am going to see consultant tomorrow to discuss if they found anything in the enlarged lymph node plus I do have some questions for him.
I know its early days but already it feels like ages. I had so much hope and very little worry as they really did not seem concerned by this lump for the last 3 months and now I have more waiting and worry.
I have one friend at school who keeps giving me a very pitiful look and it makes me feel awful as if I am about to keel over there and then. I think I may have to say something as I dont think I can cope with that every day. I know she means well but she is pretty dramatic by personality anyway.!!
I am a stay at home mum which doesn’t help in as far as I don’t see any friends here where I live unless its at school. They work, go to Uni etc. I walk most days as I have a dog so my 14th month gets wrapped up well and put in pushchair and we set of for a good walk most mornings after school run.I do belong to a gym so will head back there for a few times if I can before I really don’t feel like it. My mum comes round most days just to be here and give me some comfort.
My hubby is very positive which is great but I think I need to snap out of this and get more positive. I will turn this mindset around to being more positive soon. I will not be a victim of bad luck as I have many things to be very happy and thankful for. When I was trying for baby number 2 a specialist in fertility said I had less than a 5% chance of conceiving naturally and well I proved him wrong. I have a gorgeous healthy baby boy and I had a wonderful pregnancy all natural.
Well I will try and get some sleep tonight and head of to hospital tomorrow.
Thank you for thinking of me…sorry for being rather low.!!
I used to live in Surrey can I ask where you were treated Anne?
Love P xxx
Just a quickie to say hi and that I’m so sorry to hear you are feeling so low at the moment. I know I had days like that and it’s hard to pick yourself up. Some days I didn’t want to speak to anybody and had my phone on silent and other days I talked a lot.