Longstory short---I had a biopsy done came back positive for cancer. I then was scheduled for a MRI last Friday and a lumpectomy was to be done today. Well the MRI came back and they found 2 more "suspicious" areas. They want to have those biopsied before any sort of surgery. If those are cancerous, I will then need mastectomy
I am going for a second opinion next Tuesday. I am supposed be leaving for Vegas on June 4-7th. My question is what am I to do? Will doctors work with you? I am obviously not going to risk my health over a trip. But if the biopsy would even be until late next week or early the week of the 19th.....surgery wouldnt even be until end of May(based on my guessing)
Would a doctor delay a surgery a week? I hate to miss my trip. Its been planned forever. And its really what I need to get my head cleared before I deal with this long--crazy journey.
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shiny Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 100 |
May 6, 2008 03:05 pm
shiny wrote:
Sarmcl, The oncs will work with you if they can. They would rather you come to the "table" rested and most recognize the benefit of keeping your holiday time "if possible". Just ask them about it asap,so you know where you stand. They should be able to give you a straight anwser based on your specific stats quite quickly. They will not put you at risk. There is often a few week's flexibility. I sure hope so for you. (In my case they delayed initial app due to a very special birthday celebration I was preparing for my daughter (4). In my friend's case, they delayed a few weeks so she could go on hols. It will all be based on your stats. You take care of you. Sorry you've had to become a member of the club. Big canadian hugg. You will find help and support here. take care of you. You are in charge. All my best. Dx 5/2007, IDC, 2cm, Stage IIIb, Grade 3, 1/16 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2- |
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lvtwoqlt Joined: May 2007 Posts: 2947 |
May 6, 2008 03:09 pm
lvtwoqlt wrote:
Sarmcl, I was dx on April 27 last year and did not have my surgery (bilat mast) until June. If you explain to your surgeon that you have had this trip planned, I think that they will delay your surgery. My mom knew the end of June 2001 that she had a problem with her breast but she also had a trip planned the end of July to New England, she did not tell my dad until they were on their trip that she had this sore spot on her breast. they agreed that the best thing they could do was enjoy the next 2 weeks and as soon as she came home she was in the doctor's office beinging scheduled for diagnostic mammo. She had her mastectomy Sept 18. She is doing well now. Sheila We are like tea bags, we don't know how strong we are until we were thrown into hot water. Eleanore Roosevelt
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roseg Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 7660 |
May 6, 2008 03:34 pm
roseg wrote:
Go to Vegas! Breast cancer is critical, but it's been brewing for quite awhile, most likely for years. A week's delay won't make a difference. If your Doc had a vacation scheduled that week do you think he'd cancel it to do your surgery? Personally I"d try to schedule my surgery after Vegas, because it's a bit hard to hoist luggage around with a recent incision. Rose
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lewing Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 299 |
May 6, 2008 04:49 pm
lewing wrote:
Add me to the chorus saying, "go!" I was in a similar situation, and am so glad I scheduled my tests and surgery around my trip. Spending a week hiking and relaxing in Puerto Rico was the single best thing I did for myself in that whole whirlwind period between diagnosis and treatment. It felt like a much needed "time out" from cancer. (A few friends and relatives raised their eyebrows at the delay, so be prepared for that . . . but for me, it was absolutely the right call.) Linda Dx 1/15/2008, IDC, 1cm, Stage IIa, Grade 1, 1/14 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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sarmcl Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 44 |
May 6, 2008 05:14 pm
sarmcl wrote:
I want to thank everyone for your responses. You dont know how much it means to me. Its hard because I dont want to come off shallow--or people thinking "Is that all she cares about is her trip to Vegas". But honestly its the one thing I have that I know I will enjoy and will allow me some time away from all of this craziness. |
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MinAZ Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 299 |
May 6, 2008 06:42 pm
MinAZ wrote:
Mine was diagnosed in Oct. 06 and I did not have surgery til early January of 07. My surgeon said it would not be a problem to wait that long. As long as your doc agrees, go and have a great time! Minz |
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carolsd Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 264 |
May 6, 2008 08:35 pm
carolsd wrote:
Hi, I was diagnosed September 22, 2004. I was supposed to leave on a trip to Florida the last week of October (with my kids). My doctors all told me to go ahead and take the trip, as it wouldn't make any difference outcome-wise. I decided to postpone the trip, only because I knew I would be a nervous wreck and be unable to enjoy myself (or be a good companion to my 9-year olds). The airlines waived the resheduling fee because of my diagnosis, and I was able to take the trip in 2005 without paying the added fee. Dx 9/22/2004, IDC, <1cm, Stage I, Grade 2, /0 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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AnnNYC Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 2035 |
May 6, 2008 08:41 pm
AnnNYC wrote:
What RoseG said really hit home with me! I had results of surgical biopsy on March 9 last year, but my mastectomy had to wait until April 16 because of breast surgeon's planned family vacation and plastic surgeon's planned trips to conferences! (I couldn't get much nonmedical time off of work, but I did go to Atlantic City for the weekend of March 24 and had a great time!) Dx 3/9/2007, IDC, <1cm, Stage I, Grade 2, 0/5 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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Shirlann Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 6686 |
May 6, 2008 09:13 pm
Shirlann wrote:
Honey, your best bet is to talk with your doc/onc. If this appears to be a normal, slow growing thingy, then that time will not be that critical. Or, you could probably have the surgery and be fine in a month. So this is not an easy decision. Can you move the Vegas trip? I bet you can work out something. Gentle hugs, Shirlann |
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sarmcl Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 44 |
May 7, 2008 10:49 am
sarmcl wrote:
Shirlann Trip could definitely be moved but I am going with a group of 10 so they wouldnt be able to rechedule on my behalf. Continental charges you a "change fee" $100 per ticket. Plus if/when you reschedule and the airfare is higher, you have to pay the difference. So all of my friends would not be willing to do that----and who could blame them. But yes I will be talking to doctor Tuesday as I have second opinion set up---and I will be mentioning it. |
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janet11 Joined: Jul 2006 Posts: 459 |
May 8, 2008 05:11 pm
janet11 wrote:
Go if you can have a good time! I postponed starting chemo for a week until a favorite aunt could come and be with me my first week. It didn't make any difference on treatment, and it made a world of difference for my morale. But if you're you're going to worry and be upset and simply not enjoy the trip, then don't spoil it for yourself and the others. Plan to make a 'post-treatment' trip as a treat for when you're through. Just make a plan that fits your personality (*smile*). Dx 7/21/2006, IDC, 1cm, Stage I, Grade 3, 0/4 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2+ |
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Lori15 Joined: May 2008 Posts: 2 |
May 11, 2008 10:30 pm
Lori15 wrote:
I am glad you posted your question regarding a vacation. I am in the exact same position. Diagnosed with DCIS (high grade) and was supposed to have a lumpectomy with radiation. Already had to cancel one trip because the radiation was to fall within that timeframe and I couldn't miss the radiation treatments. However, my MRI just showed another suspicious spot and hopefully tomorrow I get it biopsied. I do have a trip to CT planned for June 12-16th and had the exact same question you did. If the second spot shows to be cancer, a mastectomy will be in order and I don't know the recovery time. Would hope to have the surgery this week or next..May 22nd at latest. Would I be okay to go on a trip June 12th. I was hoping I would only have to have a lumpectomy, but with the way my luck has been I am sure a mastectomy with reconstruction (immediately) will be in order. Would 3 weeks be enough recover from a masectomy and go on a trip. I would prefer to get this over with before my June vacation, |
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rogam Joined: May 2008 Posts: 21 |
May 12, 2008 01:15 pm
rogam wrote:
Ladies this exact same thing happened to me. I was scheduled to go to Vegas the week of April 13th. After hearing the doctor say grade3 and its aggressiveness in young women. I made a decision along with my husband that Vegas will alway be that. I really wanted to go but most concerned with getting on with my treatment process. Take care. fyi I was able to get a full refund for my airline ticket. I had to fax a note from the doctors office. Ro Gamble
Dx 4/3/2008, IDC, <1cm, Stage I, Grade 3, 0/7 nodes, ER-/PR-, HER2- |
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