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Pancreatic Cancer Group: Introduce yourself and connect with others

Pancreatic Cancer | Last Active: 13 hours ago | Replies (1382)
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@vlny2018

Hi Colleen,
Thank you for reaching out to me.

We haven’t gotten an appointment with Mayo yet, the intake person said we needed a diagnosis before they could set up an appointment. My husband had a biopsy of a spot on his liver two weeks ago that came back negative. Now we have an appointment tomorrow for a biopsy on his pancreas. Also, his left kidney is being blocked by a mass pushing on the tube going to his bladder. They are going to put a stent into the tube to open it up.

Our frustration is the length of time between the biopsies and the oncology appointments. We waited a week for the oncology appointment just to find out the first biopsy, of the liver, was negative. Now two weeks later before we get the second biopsy. Is this normal? Wouldn’t there be quicker appointments between biopsies? It feels like the cancer is just expanding while we wait for diagnosis. Time is not on our side.

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Replies to "Hi Colleen, Thank you for reaching out to me. We haven’t gotten an appointment with Mayo..."
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Apr 2 2:17pm

Hello @vlny2018

I just noticed your post directed to Colleen. I agree, with you that quicker appointments would be better, but unfortunately the medical system seems to be overwhelmed and waiting weeks between appointments is more the norm, now.

How is your husband feeling? What are his most bothersome symptoms right now?

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markymarkfl | @markymarkfl | Apr 2 7:55pm

"the intake person said we needed a diagnosis before they could set up an appointment."

That was a big frustration trying to get my dad into the Mayo, and an area where I think they could improve.

Two local doctors knew my dad's case was cancer, but argued endlessly over what type it was. Local labs botched tests. We tried getting him into Mayo ASAP so a more competent lung specialist could sort it out, but they wouldn't see him until the locals settled their debate. All or nothing.

You'd think Mayo could set up an "oncology gatekeeper" program -- somewhat of a generalist, but with expedited access to the detailed experts and the ability to direct you to the right one(s).

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