Newly Diagnosed Had to Switch Doctors When to Start Treatment

@clfa1949,

Welcome to Mayo Connect. When diagnosed, the immediate reaction usually is how fast can I get cancer removed. The correct treatment plan is more important then how fast you have surgery. Everyone situation is unique. The onocologist may recommend gentic testing to help determine treatment plan.

It is important to have a care team that you trust, and sounds like you have made that change.

Have you had a biopsy to determine the type of breast cancer you have, would you care to change result of biopsy?

Hello @clfa1949 I am very happy to hear you have gotten a team you can trust to give you the best care.
To expand on what @roch offered. There is probably a period of testing and gathering information and reviewing it, some that might be from the previous team and some new. This is important so that your team can help you make an informed decision about your treatment plan.
Honestly the best time once there is an agreed upon plan of action is as soon as you can get started, but alas there is usually some anxiety producing waiting in there too. Take heart that most cancers do not get out of control in that short time. I know this is hard, but I find it is better to try and remind myself that this is treatment free time and I might not feel this great once I start the next thing so I try to make the best of this time.
Do you have an appointment yet to discuss your treatment plan?

My providers said it's more important to get it right than get it done fast. I push things along the best I can, but waiting weeks on pathology makes it hard to speed things up. Take this time to read, get a full blood panel done, if needed, and try to breathe deep and relax. Whittle down your lists of what you have planned for the next few months and get things done or assigned out so you'll be freed up, since you'll be tired. Try to talk with someone who has been through it & can help educate you. Best wishes for a smooth journey to health.

Sorry to delay in responding. I've been getting a good care team lined up. I appreciate your kind words of reassurance. I see a surgical oncologist and plastic surgeon tomorrow in New Orleans. I will be asking about comprehensive care post-op as well. Thank you!

Yes - I will be driving to New Orleans tomorrow with my husband to discuss a comprehensive care plan. Thank you so much!!!

This is so helpful!!! Thank you so much!!!

Ok! Thanks again for all your replies. I met with the breast surgeon who will do my mastectomy and my plastic surgeon who will do my reconstruction. Both surgeries are scheduled for August 7, approximately 77 days after my diagnosis. I had the chance for an earlier surgery, but my son will have a difficult time getting away from his job - and my husband, who is almost 80, needs help in learning to care for me - as needed. (I do plan to recover as quickly as possible.)

My next question is follow-up care. This Center specializes in breast surgery and reconstruction. They are very good at it and have an international/national clientele. However when I asked about treatment post-op - monitoring medication etc. I did not get an immediate answer.

I have one more set of appts on the 14th with Ochsner's Breast Center (New Orleans) which is associated with MD Anderson, They are not as well known for their reconstruction. But I'm wondering if I may have been hasty. And maybe leaving out an important component in comprehensive care.

I did make it clear to the breast surgeon I would need help in finding an oncologist who would be a good team player with the Center.

Thanks ahead for your answers.