My wife got diagnosed with breast cancer just about 5 weeks ago now, to say the words cancer and chemotherapy changed or lives instantly would be an understatement.
The unbelievable thing now is that it’s not the cancer that has my wife stressed out the most but it is now they way we have been treated by the hospital. My wife had a biopsy the day they told us she had cancer and we would get the results within 7 to 10 days. After 10 days she phoned to see if they had the results, getting to talk to someone is unbelievably hard, many unanswered calls before being through only to be told it takes 2 weeks, why can’t they just tell us that in the first place. We wait 2 weeks and still don’t hear anything, we phone and phone to no answer, leave messages but they never get back, got through and get told they will get back to us and they don’t. Finally after 3 weeks we get told the biopsy must have gone too deep and there is nothing showing, she will have to get another done. So another is done a few days later and we have been told that it will take 7 days to get the results, we’ll the 7 days have come and gone and nothing, again for the last few days she been phoning but never gets through. I know it’s just a job to some people in the hospital but it’s peoples lives at the other side.
She was told from day one that she would get surgery within 4 to 6 weeks, we’ll its a couple of days away from 5 weeks now and we have been told nothing except that she has cancer, we don’t know what type, what grade, nothing.
Lies might be a bit harsh but to us it is what they have been telling us with how long results take and the amount of times we have been told someone will get back in touch with us.
They must realise what it will be doing to her, stressed out would be putting it very mildly. I’ve had to take time off work now because her head is just bursting, she’s down most of the time, can’t sleep, crying, each time there’s no answer or she’s told someone will get back in touch it just knocks her down another bit. Tomorrow we will try again, hopefully she gets to talk to someone but we won’t hold our breaths.
This is absolutely appalling, your poor poor wife and you, what a terrifying and frustrating position to be in. I can imagine the effect this is having on her mentally, which is entirely understandable, it must be emotionally agonising for her . May I suggest to you that you ring the website number at top of the page and ask their advice on how you can get some assistance with the situation? Also there is your local hospital PALS service, which I think you should contact today as the lack of urgency of the hospital you are at, and having to push the m the whole time is unacceptable… website link below.
I am surprised she was told she had cancer if they have not had the result of the biopsy? Did she have another test before this? When I had my call back after the first mammogram showed “something” they said that they would need to do another mammogram, ultrasound and Biopsy. That it was unlikely to be anything to worry about and they would phone me when they got the results back from the lab - cancer nurse. They get the results here one a week, so the wait time is dependant on how many tests get sent, and phone people as soon as they can (after 4pm as they still have normal appointments too). Unfortunately, mine was positive and we took it from there. Hopefully your wife has had more information by now. If not or she is not sure of the process in your area, speak to the cancer nurse - or if you have a Maggies near you, they are very good. Hope things turn out ok, or as good as they can do.
She had the mammogram and was called back in within a week. She then had ultrasound and fine needle test on her breast and node and that’s when she was told she had cancer. Also got the first biopsy that day but the went too deep, 3 weeks to find that out before getting another biopsy.
So basically the first test was unsuccessful and now they have to redo it! Hmm. Sounds like the turn around time in your area is 3 weeks, although I would have thought they should do it quicker, due to the circumstances. The extra stress will not be helping her, or you, either. That’s why Maggie are so good. They are a charity based organisation but a majority of the people involved have had cancer. Getting out and being able to talk to some “outside” the situation doesn’t seem like much but it does help. Surprisingly so. If you haven’t got access to one, even speaking to someone from Breast cancer care on 0808 800 6000 can help. Unfortunately not open Sunday but Monday - Friday 9-5 and Saturday 10 - 2. I used them (after treatment question) and they were helpful.
*after treatment is post radiotherapy - was looking for the edit but can’t find options drop down on this thread.