I have no idea what to expect of healthcare when it's something important. Well, now it is to me...

[6packofun]

and it seems to move SO dang slowly!  Am I being unrealistic to think that almost 6 weeks between finding a breast lump and getting in to have an actual mammogram and breast ultrasound is a bit long of a wait?  It took 2 weeks just to be seen by a doctor for the referral, which wasn't a terriblly long, but when it's right before Christmas and breast cancer runs in your family it kind of sucks.  (Bad timing for finding a dr., too, so I'm trying to be patient!) It will probably turn out to be nothing major, but sheesh.  I'm not used to needing anything more than regular annual visits and OB care.  LOL

[Faithr]

That's awful!  That is too long.  I hope everything turns out well for you.  I have two sisters who are breast cancer survivors so its in my genes too.

[Jean in Newcastle]

It seems long.  Does your OB not do mammograms? 

[Word Nerd]

That's crazy! I don't have to have a referral for an annual mammogram and when I called to schedule, they gave me an appt. for the following day. The diagnostic one they wanted after seeing an area of concern was scheduled quickly too, and if an ultrasound would have been needed they'd have done it at the same appointment.

Edited December 29, 2015 by Word Nerd

[rmtzc2009]

That is not right. My OB office sees patients the same day if you find a lump. Within 2-3 days I get in for the mammogram w/ultrasound. I hope everything turns out fine!

[TechWife]

No, that's not right. You need to get a referral to a different radiologist. Tell them how long you've been waiting already, too. 

[6packofun]

It seems long.  Does your OB not do mammograms? 

 

They do regular mammograms in the same building, BUT the dr. ordered a more specialized one + the ultrasound and I need to go to the hospital for that. 

My appointment is for Jan. 19th, but I found the lump on the 13th of this month.  I couldn't get into a dr. sooner because my previous dr., unbeknownst to me, is no longer in the same practice and is now out of my network.  So I had to find a new dr. who I just saw yesterday.

Edited December 29, 2015 by 6packofun

[Jean in Newcastle]

:grouphug: :grouphug:

[Starr]

Call your doctor that ordered the tests. With doctors orders the tests can be moved up.

[SparklyUnicorn]

Yes that's really obnoxious when someone is worrying about it.

 

Sorry... :grouphug:

[goldberry]

Can you ask to be on a cancellation list?  (They call you when there is an opening.)  You can sometimes get in very quickly if your schedule allows that.

[creekland]

:grouphug:  That seems really, really long IME.  Is it totally a network thing?

[MEmama]

Agreeing with everyone else. That is unacceptable. I would call the doctor and demand to be seen earlier. Typically doctors have no idea about appointments but they can override the receptionist or whoever scheduled you so far out. I've been seen, mammogramed, biopsied and received results all in the course of a couple of hours. It's time to advocate for your needs. A month of worry isn't healthy for anyone.

 

Good luck!

[kroe1]

It seems to be regional. We are having 6 week to 3 month waits down here in south Florida for some tests and specialties, although I do not know specifically how long it takes to get the tests you mentioned. Lots of shortages in rural areas, too.

[Bluegoat]

I expect the fact that it is over Christmas vacation is part of the reson for it taking longer.

 

But wait times will typically depend on where you are, and how time sensitive the issue is.  IAs far as the first question goes, sometimes if you can go to less used hospitals, you might be seen quicker - where I live the most populated areas have longer waits. On the other hand - if there is a shortage of specialists in your area, there isn't much to be done about that.Your doctor will have a better sense of the second question - it depends somewhat on the nature of the lump. 

[NoPlaceLikeHome]

I would make sure the doctor who ordered test knows that you have a 6 week wait. Maybe he can order it stat or get you in sooner? Also, is there an alternative site in your area for the same tests? Maybe they have openings sooner.

 

All I know is that I would make a stink with the doctor's office to help get your test done much, much sooner.

 

:grouphug:  :grouphug:  :grouphug:

[gardenmom5]

6 weeks is absurd.  did your dr's office make the appointment?  someone needs a fire lit underneath them.

 

while things should be faster when a dr recommends it - sometimes you still have to push.  

 

eta: even with Christmas and new years - that shouldn't add more than a couple weeks.   tops.  this should be a higher priority.

Edited December 29, 2015 by gardenmom5

[laundrycrisis]

Too long.  Be the squeaky wheel.  You have to advocate for yourself.  If your doctor won't make things happen to get you in sooner, find one who will.  I found a new doctor on ZocDoc.  You should also have the option of going to any hospital that's in your insurance network.  Get a copy of your order and start making calls.  See what you can find to get in sooner, even if you have to driver further. 

[Kathy in Richmond]

Wow, that's too long to wait, even over the holidays.

 

The waiting is the agonizing part, I know.

 

I found my lump on a Tuesday evening last summer.  On Wed morning, my OBGYN worked me into her schedule & referred me right away to an excellent breast surgeon, who saw me Wed afternoon & did an immediate biopsy. By Friday I knew it was cancer, and a week later I had a breast MRI, followed shortly by lumpectomy surgery. It was all very fast! At the moment I'm between chemo & radiation. I had to call three different doctor offices for various appointments over the past two weeks, and each one worked me in efficiently.

 

Is there anyone else you can go to?

[Lanny]

My wife and I feel *very* strongly about this, because we knew 2 women (with different health care plans and income levels) whose doctors thought the problems in their breasts were nothing. In both cases, their treatment was delayed for many months. My wife's best friend is dead and I'm not sure about the other woman.

 

I put a page on our family web site (which is now a WordPress blog) years ago.

 

YOU MUST NOT ASSUME THAT IT IS NOTHING AND YOU MUST GET A MAMMOGRAM EXAM DONE IMMEDIATELY AND HAVE IT INTERPRETED BY A BOARD CERTIFIED RADIOLOGIST

 

I know it is the holiday season and many offices are closed or working reduced hours, but you need to scream and get this done immediately. You have waited far too long. Hopefully it is nothing. That is the normal case. But, if it is something, every day counts.

 

GL

[Corraleno]

I found my lump on a Tuesday evening last summer.  On Wed morning, my OBGYN worked me into her schedule & referred me right away to an excellent breast surgeon, who saw me Wed afternoon & did an immediate biopsy. By Friday I knew it was cancer, and a week later I had a breast MRI, followed shortly by lumpectomy surgery. It was all very fast! At the moment I'm between chemo & radiation.

 

:grouphug:  :grouphug:  :grouphug:

[Happy]

Wow, that's too long to wait, even over the holidays.

 

The waiting is the agonizing part, I know.

 

I found my lump on a Tuesday evening last summer.  On Wed morning, my OBGYN worked me into her schedule & referred me right away to an excellent breast surgeon, who saw me Wed afternoon & did an immediate biopsy. By Friday I knew it was cancer, and a week later I had a breast MRI, followed shortly by lumpectomy surgery. It was all very fast! At the moment I'm between chemo & radiation. I had to call three different doctor offices for various appointments over the past two weeks, and each one worked me in efficiently.

 

Is there anyone else you can go to?

Hugs from one survivor to another.

 

My process wasn't quite that fast, but I went from 'come back in for another mammogram',  to a biopsy, a diagnosis, surgery, and the start of chemo with eight or nine weeks.

 

OP, I hope you are able to get in and get information fast.

[NoPlaceLikeHome]

I forgot to add that I would be pushing for a biopsy as soon as possible even though many lumps are benign since from I know a biopsy is more definitive than a mammogram or ultrasound. Will a biopsy be done when you get an ultrasound if needed? My mom had hers done in the doctor's office the surgeon without ultrasound or mammogram.

[LMD]

My sister was less than a week from finding a lump to diagnosis, including mammogram and biopsy... She was in surgery within a fortnight and starting chemo within the month.

Hope you have good news.

[OnMyOwn]

Yes, I agree with others that you should be seen sooner and do what you can to make it happen. If nothing else, it's too much stress for you to have to deal with for that long. My mom was just recently diagnosed with a recurrence of cancer two weeks ago. She was in for a biopsy a few days after it was initially detected and she started treatment this week.

 

Hugs to you. I hope it turns out to be nothing and that you get peace of mind quickly.

[6packofun]

UPDATE:  I went in to the dr. office, got a copy of the orders and called around.  I have an appointment for both procedures on Tuesday 1/5, so that is better!  Thank you for encouraging me to get the ball rolling.  This is the first time I've really had to wrestle with getting specific care for something important like this, believe it or not!

[Ottakee]

That is great. My dd has had several lumps and we can be under 2 weeks from initial appointment to surgery

[Tammyla]

Op :grouphug: I'm glad you were able to get an earlier appointment and hope all goes well.

 

 

Kathy in R,  :grouphug: .

[prairiewindmomma]

Glad you are able to get in sooner!