How long is too long...Please help...
 

I found the lump on 6/6/2015. It wasn't diagnosed until 8/27/2015. I've been getting the run around from my insurance company, and even from the surgeon's office. Nobody seems to be concerned or in a rush except me, and now my husband, who is trying not to freak out, or freak me out, but he is! Anyway, I am PR+, ER+, and of course the wonderful Her2+. The tumor is in the left breast and 1.3cm. I have not felt any changes, nothing bad, other than tired, which a dose of Ensure seems to fix. I can't really say I feel any different and often forget that I have cancer. But, I am REALLY beginning to worry about the recent passing of the 4 month anniversary of finding the lump on self exam. Positive comments are appreciated but so are honest. Please help relieve me and prepare me. Thank you my wonderful Her2 sisters. God bless us all! xoxo

Re: How long is too long...Please help...
 

Hi there,

It's always scary when you get diagnosed. It can be numbing and it's easy to wait for someone to lead you. But I can tell you from personal experience that becoming "THAT" patient that nags and calls and pushes to get in sooner and persists pays off. If you are not getting anywhere with your current doctors, find ones that share the same sense of urgency that you do. If your hospital has a nurse navigator, find her/him and let them be your advocate. They can usually get things done and push the right buttons. My nurse navigator scheduled all my scans ( MRI and PET) within 24 hrs of being diagnosed. She also got me into surgery within 7 days (on the day the surgeon was leaving on vacation!). She made things happen. Don't sit and wait for others to do it...you have to take the reigns on this one and push your way through.
I am not a well liked person at my hospital. But I'm not there to be the most popular one. And because of it, they know not to dillydally with me.
Good luck!

Re: How long is too long...Please help...
 

I'd agree with the comments above, if this surgeon can't help you find one that will as it seems to me you've been waiting long enough.

Re: How long is too long...Please help...
 

Get a new surgeon asap!! Someone who will not put you off.

Everything Europa just said.

Carol Ann

Re: How long is too long...Please help...
 

I can't believe you haven't started treatment yet. Holy cow, what's the delay? I concur that it's been "too long."

Amy

Re: How long is too long...Please help...
 

SpiritualAbundance if these doctors aren't taking care of business then you need to force the issue and or seek other surgeons. From the time I was diagnosed to the time I had my port placed and chemo started was 3-4 weeks and frankly I thought that was to long. Her 2 is aggressive and thus your doctors need to be on it. Remember if you think you are pushing to hard to get treated your not. You are talking about your life. So please make calls,threaten to call the news if the insurance is holding your treatment up. You do what you have to. And yes the nurse navigator should be able to help you move on this quickly.

Re: How long is too long...Please help...
 

Thank you all for your advice. I have an appt with a new surgeon in two days. I was able to get in with her within 3 days of calling. The surgeon that is holding things up is wonderful, very qualified, and his work is beautiful. However, what good is all of that going to do me if it takes 'too long'. I'm mostly disappointed in the office staff of that surgeon. They have no concern that I first consulted with him on 9/24, and now they tell me I need a new consult because they won't be able to do surgery within 30 days of the first, 9/24, consult. They can't get me in until 10/26 for the next consult then surgery 2-3 weeks after. That means the middle of November. I have to move on. Here's to hoping the new surgeon can schedule something within a week...or sooner. Thank you all!!!!

Re: How long is too long...Please help...
 

It's great that you found a new surgeon. I don't want to muddy the waters, but have you seen an oncologist yet? You need to find one, too.

Janis

Re: How long is too long...Please help...
 

Actually, yes! I've met with two, one as a second opinion. I have a follow up apptt on Nov. 5th to discuss chemo final plan. My plan/hope was to have had surgery by then and to have pathology report ready. Surgeon misguided me and wasted weeks. I feel much more confident with my oncologist. Thanks for the great question!

Re: How long is too long...Please help...
 

There are lots of great surgeons. Being put on hold because they are too booked up is not acceptable in my book. Not sure where you live. I live in a metro area with lots of doctors. Good luck and keep advocating for yourself.

Re: How long is too long...Please help...
 

You stated that your plan/hope was to have had surgery prior to your Nov appt with your oncologist. I had chemo first. Just wondering if you were told that you should have surgery first. It isn't unusual to have chemo before surgery. Just wanted to throw that out there.

Take care

Re: How long is too long...Please help...
 

Another big thanks to everyone. First, thinkpositive, no one has indicated to me that chemo is necessary first to treat this. I met with 2 oncologists, now I've met with 2 surgeons, and even a plastic surgeon. None of them have indicated that the route for me would be chemo first. Surgery first is what I've always anticipated. That being said, I did heed the advice of you lovely ladies and instantly found a wonderful surgeon, a little bit further away in the next county. Listen, I'm not saying that a man cannot do a fabulous job but this female surgeon just gets 'it'. I got an appointment with her within 3 days of my first call. I saw her on Thursday and she talked to me for a good half an hour. Then she went out to let me change for the exam. When she came back in, she said, "How would you like to do the surgery Monday?" I was in shock. Thinking I was going to have to wait another 4-6 weeks I wasn't prepared for such an assertive response. She then was worried about sentinel node biopsy privileges at the hospital she would have to perform the surgery (thanks to Humana) so while she was out she also texted a big wig about the AMA regulations. When she came back in to see me, he texted back and told her she does have privileges. She gave me a high five and I said, "see, that's what an advocate does!". I'm so thrilled and relieved. Remarkably, my body and mind feel so much better these past few days. It's unbelievable what a little positive thinking and positive news can do for one's mind and soul.

Thanks again to all of you. I'd add my bio but I haven't figured that one out yet. I'll get to it. I'm pretty savvy just need to find time.

-Diane

Re: How long is too long...Please help...
 

Please pray for me this week. Please pray that God works His will in my life and continues to write His symphony of my life to His desires. Thank you ladies!

Re: How long is too long...Please help...
 

Glad that you have a new doctor and a plan. Getting treatment underway is the most important. After your treatment plan is in place and you get through surgery you can make more choices. By the way, there are some of us on the site that have not had reconstruction and are very happy. This is a very personal choice as I am sure you know, but there is no rush to make the decision. All the best.

Re: How long is too long...Please help...
 

What Catherine said. You can do a search here on the forum about choices and others feedback on how their recon went, what they chose and why, and how they are feeling about it once it is finished.

I had no recon and I am glad I didn't. Having said that, I firmly believe everyone should have what makes them feel the most comfortable.

And, as Catherine also said, you don't have to do everything at once; you can always have the recon done at a later date.

Carol Ann

Re: How long is too long...Please help...
 

Glad you're happy with your new doc. All my docs except for gynecologist and RO happen to be female. Just worked out that way over the years.

I'm not making gross generalizations, but my experience is that women doctors are better listeners. That's just my experience; certainly does not apply to all male doctors.

Good luck Monday. You will be fine!

Re: How long is too long...Please help...
 

Glad to hear you have moved forward.
As you say positive thinking & positive news makes all the difference.

Re: How long is too long...Please help...
 

Sounds like you've got a good plan in place. Waiting is the hardest part.

Most of my doctors were women also. Its so important that you have a team that you are comfortable with whatever the gender turns out to be. I'll be sending healing thoughts your way.

Take care