The long wait for tests is emotionally exhausting
This will be my fourth post about what is becoming a never ending nightmare waiting game for a tests and diagnosis.
A quickie summary: I had a screening breast MRI (strong family history of breast and ovarian cancer and very dense breasts) on Sept 14th last year that showed a non-palpable BIRADS 5 spiculated nodule in the axillary tail of the left breast. I had a targeted US on Oct. 3rd and ultrasound-guided CNB on Nov. 25th. The result was discordant benign (likely a fibroadenoma). There was no radiology-pathology correlation addendum done so my GP ordered a Priority 2 breast MRI to confirm clip placement to check that the correct area was targeted and adequately sampled (this was suggested in the targeted US radiology report.)
The earliest date I could get for the repeat MRI was May 10, 2025 which the hospital rescheduled to May 17th on April 14th. I got a notice today that the test was rescheduled again. At least it will still be on the 17th, just later in the day.
Adding to the stress, I learned in December my GP was retiring in April. After January, she kind of stopped checking in or advocating to speed things up. I was super lucky to find a new GP in March, but it's taken her some time to get up to speed on my case due to delays in getting my medical records transferred. I've voiced my concerns about the delays to the patient quality care office at my health authority but they say they have no control over appointments. (I live in British Columbia, Canada)
Now that my May appointment is approaching, I find I'm exhausted and stressed, and I worry I won't have the resilience to deal with what will happen after the MRI. I read on the BC Cancer Agency breast cancer website that a surgical biopsy is standard care after a discordant benign biopsy result. My new GP wants to wait until after the MRI to decide how to proceed. I plan to ask for a surgical consult since I've lost confidence in the care I've been getting through the hospital's radiology and primary care systems.
Sorry for the long vent. I just feel overwhelmed at present. I've looked into getting counselling, and even contacted the cancer center in my town for counselling suggestions. The social worker said their mandate prevents them from providing counselling to patients waiting for a diagnosis and she suggested I contact a private counsellor. Just looking through the many dozens of local counsellors was overwhelming so I stopped looking.
I know folks here will understand how I'm feeling. Thanks for letting me vent.
Comments
-
I'm really sorry to hear about your situation. Waiting is absolutely one of the worst parts of this mess. I hope you get your appointment soon. Try to just take things day by day, even hour by hour, and minute by minute. Once you get your results (very hopefully it's "nothing") and some sort of plan, you will feel much less anxious and stressed. Take care.
1 -
@threetree thank you so much for the kind words and suggestions. ❤️🙏
0 -
You are very welcome!
1 -
I was in similar boat & the waiting & not knowing was the worst. Once you have the MRI you’ll move forward (being in neutral is uncomfortable). My best wishes to you. Breathe slowly…it helps:)
2 -
Hello @arabrab22. You have had such an unusually long waiting period. I’m so sorry to hear you are still waiting! I really hope the MRI sheds some light on things and you can move forward. What an ordeal! Hang in there a little longer. I’ll be thinking of you.
1 -
Thanks so @marshy1 and @needs.a.nap for your kindness. Knowing folks here understand how hard the waiting and not knowing can be and can relate to how I'm feeling really helps. I think so many months of going about life acting like everything is fine when really I'm not, has been the hardest.
0