So I saw my doctor today about the dates for my
Surgery as I was diagnosed a week ago. I found out that
I was stage 3. He also asked if I wanted breast reconstruction at the surgery or later on. I said at the surgery if they can. He said that a 2 hour operation will become 8 hours plus slower recovery. Now I gotta wait for him and the plastic surgeon to get a mutual time for the surgery, the plastic surgeon will call me next week for an assessment. I am thinking to myself, hang on a minute " isn't my cancer cells multiplying as we speak". He assured me that cancer patients are seen straight away but how long am I meant to sit and wait for people to make decisions about my health? He says end of this month till mid July... Is the waiting time normal? I am worried my stage 3 becomes a stage 4. :-(
Waiting Time
Posted by scoombe71 on 15 Jun 2012, 09:37PM
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Most of us wait about two weeks to a month for surgery, Stage 3 will more than likely stay that way for this length of time as they believe if you discover a lump it has more than likely been growing for over 18 months anyway.
Try not to panic though we know it's hard but waiting is now what you will get used to, everyone feels that the cancer is growing at a faster rate once you know you have it so you're not one out there.
I hope all goes well for you and keep us posted and ask anything at anytime, someone is always around to help, or listen,
Regards
Cheryl.
Waiting game!!!
Hi scoombe71, yes the waiting game really sucks. Unfortunately it is something you will get quite good at. I know when I was waiting for results between biopsies I was too frightened to even wash my boob. People would tell me to go have a massage to help relieve stress but I was too scared to lay on my boob. I thought for certain all of this could spread the cancer especially after biopsies when it had been cut through without being totally removed and I wasn't prepared to take that kind of risk.
Once you have a surgery date and treatment plan you will feel more in control and proactive. Try to use your energy in the mean time to research and prepare what you are going to take to hospital. There is a great list on this site which I used and found really helpful. Also consider cooking meals and preparing the house etc for your absence.
I had bilateral mastectomies with expanders 30 May 2012 which is the beginning of my reconstructions. I was in hospital for 10 days and ended up going home with one drain which was removed at day 13. My pain is ok although I have a weird nerve problem in my inner upper arms which I have started taking medication for. I am hoping for some relief soon.
Easier said than done but try to remain positive, keep busy and before you know it you will be laying in hospital post surgery wondering how the hell you got there as it just seems like one big whirlwind in the end.
Post here whenever you need to. The ladies on this site are incredible and offer a ton of information and support. I couldn't have travelled this journey upright without them.
Hoping for a quick treatment plan
Lara x
Hi Scoombe
I waited about 3 weeks for my mastectomy.This was the second bout of breast cancer in the same breast.I had a lumpectomy 7 years before.The waiting is such an anxious time.I had visions of cancer cells escaping everywhere. Having had bc twice,I'm abit paranoid about my scarline now so won't be having reconstruction for the moment.Do your research,get all the information and then go with what feels right for you.The girls are right,a few weeks wait is neither here nor there.Keep very busy in the meantime.
Tonya xx
Waiting Time 2
Thanks Ladies, I feel a bit better..a little bit lol. Lara, youre right once a surgery date and treatment I will feel a bit better.
Hi Scoombe71
Yes, we waiting game is a suck! I to thought that the more I had to wait for surgery that the cancer will spread. But once you have the dates of surgery and the plan of "attack" for if needed chemo, radiation you will feel a whole lot better.
Please blog here at any time of day or night. As there is always someone here that will answer you. We all tend to have really weird times that we are awake. I tend to be awake at 2 or 3 in the morning.
The ladies here are fantastic, we cry, laugh, ask advice, give advice. We are all just here for each other, which is great. I can not thank all the lovely ladies here, they are here when you need them.
So blog away at any time, and welcome.
Hope all goes well and please let us know how you get along. Fingers crossed.
Julie XX
Thanks Julie., I am just getting a bit paranoid with the waiting. I have been getting on and off mild throbbing and pain ( like when u get your period) in my left breast only since they did all my tests last two weeks, ultrasound, mammogram and breast biopsy and node biopsy.. I am thinking what if they moved something they shouldn't have since the tests etc lol.. Maybe it's spread more :-(... Someone told me its probably hormones for that time of the month, but I wouldn't know.,, I have been on Depo provera for a few years now, my periods had stopped and I kinda lost touch of my menstrual cycle symptoms.. By the way, my breast surgeon recommended me to stop Depo Provera when I saw last Friday as I was due for my shot, I agreed. No sure about what protection to use now, I guess I gotta .. Improvise lol