I was very disappointed to be told by the breast unit that I am treated exactely the same as someone who has not had BC before.
Gp was astounded to find i had to wait 2 weeks for an appt at rapid assessment clinic.
The Breastcare nurse is ringing me tomorrow which should be interesting.
Has anyone else been seen earlier or treated before the 2 weeks?
The waiting is so awful, hence me being up late, i just cant relax and sleep.
Rx
Do not think you should have to wait this long, you should be seen straight away. I found it very annoying when I had my first mammo after dx, in March, I was told to ring in 4 weeks which is the same as a routine mammo. In fact I have only just received a letter from my onc (yesterday) to say that there was nothing to cause concern on the mammo, so that is 6 weeks. All my breast care nurse said was that if there had been anything wrong they would have contacted me sooner, but that is not good enough, the waiting is awful i know. I hope you get some help from your breast cae nurse tomorrow
good luck
Dawne
I waited for 3 months for results of my yearly MRI scan and only got the results due to my GP chasing them and having to argue to get them. I had phoned up several times to chase them up myself.
I wanted an emergency appointment so called my onc’s secretary to make one and was told that the earliest I could have an appointment was a month!!! My appointment is tomorrow, at last its here and I can go and be checked over, I have been having real problems with my back and neck and my GP wanted me to have a bone scan but got no joy at having the appointment brought forward either. I have now found a lump in my remaining breast in the same side as my neck problem, I just hope that it turns out to be nothing.
Neenie xx
I think I am quite fortunate in my area, if I have any concerns I can ring my BCN directly and she will see me.
I do have a friend who lives in Preston who, if she needs to see BCN now has to go to GP first to be referred…taking between 2 - 4 wks.
karen
I would have thought that previous BC patients would have got an immediate appointment. Not sure what the procedure is in my area as I’m only just out of rads and as such still in the system.
Thanks for posts. Talked to BC nurse and she actually agrees with me that ladies who have had BC shouldnt be treated the same as new patients. As she said about 90% of the ladies who attend the rapid assessment clinic will be fine.
She said they had been talking about having a ‘drop in’ service for Bc ladies who have concerns.She said it was organising and staffing it which would be difficult, not the cost of it which i always think with any NHS dept it comes down too.
Anyone in Liverpool who attends the LMC?
We have such wonderful BC nurses and Surgeons and Oncs but i feel they lack a facility for us patients to have a voice.
We desperately need a secondaries support group. I will bring this up with the BC nurses but hope to God i wont be part of it.
I MUST write to my BC unit and be more pro-active
I have not been able to bring forward my appt but i think this is right as i am remaining positive and I am sure I will be fine.
Lovely to see you posting Karen ( an old face hey) Hope your well.
Rx
I was due a routine follow up on May 12 but due to unexplained arm pit pain my GP referred me back in early April. Had to wait two weeks and when I got there everyone was very confused cos I had been referred as a new patient. Anyway explained my worries had mammo and scan both of which were clear so very relieved. Could choose to be seen again in 6 months or 12 so asked for 6 and said would probably go to 12 next time. Was then told I would get an appt in a new Mon PM clinic being set up for post DX ladies so we don’t have to join the masses in the new referrals clinic, great I thought the wait shouldn’t be quite so long and stressfull. Appt came through last week for Weds AM again so obviously back with the masses, oh well. Still had no contact with BCN since July last year.
AJxxx
Some 2 yrs after dx I had a long ropey lump (about 2") on the top of my breast and was very worried as I had a non palpable 2 cm tumour below the aureole. Rang my bc nurse (pity she retired in Dec last) and she got me an urgent appt 2 days hence on a Saturday morning in clinic. I was amazed that there actually are clinics on a Saturday. Only problem is that you have to see whichever bc surgeon is on duty, and unfortunately, it was not mine. My lump turned out to be Mondor’s disease, which thankfully, is not malignant, but at least it put my mind at rest that it was not a recurrence. The clinic was absolutely packed that morning, with some women standing, so I guess they were just trying to clear a backlog of appts. Not sure if it is a regular clinic, but glad they had one when I needed them.
Liz.