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Can one reduce time from symptom discovery to treatment?
January 7 PET ct scan showed abnormalities in stomach.
Oncologist recommended EGD of stomach.
I didn't review scan with a doctor till February 2. Mean while I had an pacemaker January 22,
Pacemaker was not implanted by local Cardiologist but later moved
services to local. To get EGD a CIED form was needed which may
get done February 24. Than an EGD can be scheduled.
When a biopsy may get results could be sometime in March.
Three months can go by with an aggressive cancer before any treatment might happen. Don't forget the 7-10 business days
for insurance to clear. Am sure I've spent at least 10 hours on the phone to do someones job to move things along. Is easier to just give up. Have had two stage 4 cancers already.
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I’ve been so very fortunate in Australia on private health insurance to have had very quick debulking surgery after a PET CT scan showed a large mass in my abdomen. Less than a week. Stage 4. I then had to wait just less than 3 months (before starting chemo and immunotherapy) for the tumour to be biopsied and the hospital peer group to determine I had appendix cancer not ovarian cancer. The treatments are different so the wait was worth it.
It sounds like where you’re at the healthcare system is overloaded? I’m so sorry if that’s the case. I hope others can help you navigate the system.
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2 ReactionsYes our healthcare system is lacking in so many ways. Quiting sometimes seems like the easiest solution, but think about a time when you or someone you know didn't quit and was rewarded handsomely.
Denise
@denisestlouie Thank you for your kind words. I make the most of each day and
look forward to some improvement each day. We all have set backs but come out
stronger for that and learn. Wish you the best..