Lung Cancer: Seems like we're being delayed to get an appointment

Posted by fastback3000 @fastback3000, Sep 16, 2022

My name is Mark . I am trying to help my fiance, Tamara in any way I possibly can. She is 62 years young, but will turn 63 on the 19thre of this month. I am 64 . Any help expediting her acceptance to Mayo would be the best birthday gift she could receive . Here is the dilemma she's facing. After a CT scan and consultation at Avera clinic in spirit lake , ia. approx 3 weeks ago , she was referred to Avera oncology in Sioux falls for a Broncotomy. The exact dates and procedures may not be totally accurate , but I'm doing the best I can to explain in a nutshell . ever since the consultation with the doctor at spirit lake , ia . She has said to every. caregiver that she prefers to go to Mayo in Rochester. Approx. 2weeks go she had a biopsy on a suspect mass in her lower left quadrant of her lung that was blocking her airway. To make a long. Story shorter: she has lung cancer. The oncology Dr and nurse sent her info and what records they have to Mayo in Rochester to refer her to their oncology dept. This was approx. Thursday or Friday , Sept 8th or 9th. . That day the oncology dept at Mayo said they would review her info and let her know within 3 business days if and when she could be admitted. She found out through the broncotomy procedure, and Consultation she did have lung cancer. She now needs a brain scan and a pet scan , I guess to check if it has travelled. Well,5 days from the day Avera sent her records and referred her , which. was Wednesday ,9/14/ 2022. Mayo told her that they would l let her know thursday . So it's now Friday , the 16th of Sept. She called again And they told her they rerouted it and would let her know by Monday or Tues. Meanwhile the cancer is doing ? We don't know because they can't give her a straight answer . She needs to be in the hospital.

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 16, 2022

Hi @fastback3000 Mark, oh gosh. This must make you and your financé very anxious. The waiting is the hardest part. I bet it seems like this is happening really fast and excruciatingly slow at the same time.

It sounds like the referring hospital has made the referral to Mayo Clinic Rochester correctly. I'm glad that she called to follow up. Now waiting until Monday or Tuesday seems like a long time. What is likely happening during this time is that the oncology experts are reviewing her case with their colleagues and assessing next steps and schedulers are making necessary arrangements for the necessary imaging studies (PET scan, brain scan, etc). I encourage you to follow up on Tuesday or Wednesday if you haven't heard.

I know it feels like the cancer must be growing and getting worse during this time. It isn't. More important is that she gets the right appointments, the right assessment of the type and stage of the cancer to get the most effective treatment.

I have added your post to the Lung Cancer (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/lung-cancer/) group as well. I did this so you can meet other lung cancer patients and caregivers like @merpreb @kkckkjm @lls8000 @marcia115 @ta52 @aksinspringfield @linbrew @56899t52 @overcomercynth @dedehans @flusshund and many others. They know what you're going through and will be here with you and your financé through this weekend of waiting. Ask your questions.

Naturally you're both dealing with stress and anxiety, but is your financé feeling any symptoms? Shortness of breath, cough, pain? How are YOU doing?

Tom Anderson | @ta52 | Sep 16, 2022

First of all, Mark, welcome - you've found the right place, We've all been in your shoes as either patients or caregivers. From what I know, cancer doesn't move that quickly so Colleen is right: Mayo is doing what she laid out because that is exactly what happened to me two years ago. You want answers and I can tell you this: once the ball starts rolling at Mayo things will happen very quickly and, most importantly of all, at the very best medical facility in the world. You are in the best hands possible. They've done this before so trust in the fact they know what they're doing. You will have a team of the best oncologists looking after you and Tamara. As I always tell people, "Mayo doesn't hire people from the bottom third of graduating classes". They are the best and you will be amazed how they will customize Tamara's treatment specifically for her. You and Tamara are in the best hands possible. At this point it is hard to do, but for her sake and yours, be patient.

dedehans | @dedehans | Sep 16, 2022

In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @fastback3000 Mark, oh gosh. This must make you and your financé very anxious. The waiting..." + (show)

colleen you are right on the money about everything here....patience, an impossible thought, is so important now as it all takes so much time. I have said before that it took 2 to 3 months from first CT scan through bronchoscopies, biopsies, MRIs, PET scans, brain scans til surgery on a very aggressive cancer and then another 2 months after til treatment decided on. This is not unusual. If you are referred to Mayo you will be in good hands. A few weeks delay shouldn't be worrysome as long as you are in their system...
Let us know how it goes.

marcia115 | @marcia115 | Sep 17, 2022

Hi!
I had a CT scan, and from there Mayo wants a pet scan for my lung, I had lung cancer a year ago, so
they are not sure what this is till I have a Biopsy next week. I am trying not to think about it till the
time comes, it has been almost 3 weeks since I had the CT scan.
I believe in Mayo with all my heart, I go to all the doctors there, and I trust them with what they decide. I have
had a few cancers and they were right on it.
You can't go wrong with Mayo.
Good Luck to you, I hope all turns out great!

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 25, 2022

In reply to @marcia115 "Hi! I had a CT scan, and from there Mayo wants a pet scan for my..." + (show)

Hi Marcia, any update? Only if you'd like to share, how did the biopsy and PET scan go?

marcia115 | @marcia115 | Sep 25, 2022

update I go Tuesday morning for the Biopsy, but I won't no anything till Wed. Then they called
me to come back for another mammogram, the pet scan showed something that the mammogram
It didn't show.
Thank you so much for thinking of me, you're very sweet.
I will let you know the outcome which I hope is a good one.

marcia115 | @marcia115 | Sep 25, 2022

I don't know why she has not had a pet scan right away. Mayo is great and they will
get back to her, they have a team of doctors that read all her information, so they
no, how to treat her. I just can't say enough good things about Mayo.

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