Wow--Have to wait months for possible cancer to be checked

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m sorry you’re getting this response, OP. I know what it feels like to have to wait.

No, it isn’t okay that you have to wait a month. It isn’t okay at all. But as you can see from previous posters, we’ve decided as a society to think it’s acceptable.

I hope you get an earlier appointment.

Thank you. I'm not going to bother to read the rest of the replies. People here have mental issues. And the fact they think waiting this long is normal is disturbing. So many sheep just doing what they are told and thinking it's normal.

OP

Good call, OP. Unfortunately, this site can be rather unhelpful at times.

I wish you the best of luck. You’re correct in thinking it should be easier and quicker, and I’m sorry you got as much negative feedback as you did. It wasn’t deserved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“Suspicious” according to whom? If that’s based on a screening mammogram, IME they should be able to get you in sooner. Otherwise, agree with PPs - waiting a few weeks (not months) is pretty standard.

According to the radiologist who wrote the report on my breast MRI film.

OP

Is it an MRI biopsy?

What is the BIRADS (“suspicious” is not how radiologists communicate a biopsy needs to be biopsies)?

I have had them all (and had breast cancer). All of my follow up imaging takes a while to get scheduled, but any time I have needed a biopsy, it gets scheduled within a few days. And then is across health systems.

If you give some more info, I can try to help you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:September isn't months away on my calendar...it's just a couple of weeks. Take a chill pill and stop freaking out.

A couple means "two." I'm waiting more than one month.

I think it's sad you guys are so used to the long wait times that you are now defending bad healthcare.

OP

Tell us where in the world you will get in faster. People all over the world fly here because they can get in quicker than in their home country.

Perhaps consider scheduling an appointment in a less densely populated area of the country, but I am sure that suggestion will upset you, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:September isn't months away on my calendar...it's just a couple of weeks. Take a chill pill and stop freaking out.

A couple means "two." I'm waiting more than one month.

I think it's sad you guys are so used to the long wait times that you are now defending bad healthcare.

OP

Tell us where in the world you will get in faster. People all over the world fly here because they can get in quicker than in their home country.

Perhaps consider scheduling an appointment in a less densely populated area of the country, but I am sure that suggestion will upset you, too.

Those areas lack providers and facilities

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a suspicious lump. The soonest I can get a second scan and biopsy is in September.

I called another radiology company. They said they can't use the film from the first company and they are scheduling 5-8 weeks out just for a diagnostic test.

Anyone else in a similar boat? This is nuts.

Why is it nuts? You have to wait for your turn. September is only next month.

Long wait times is an excuse they always give to not have a medical system like Canada, UK or Australia.

+1 Early detection for cancer is important for good outcomes for treatment. Waiting months for proper diagnostics after a suspicious screening is unacceptable in a metro area like DC where we have plenty of hospitals and options for care. All you people saying that she should wait months and treat her "anxiety" should go step on a Lego.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:September isn't months away on my calendar...it's just a couple of weeks. Take a chill pill and stop freaking out.

A couple means "two." I'm waiting more than one month.

I think it's sad you guys are so used to the long wait times that you are now defending bad healthcare.

OP

How is a few weeks' wait in a healthcare system serving 330,000,000 Americans BAD HEALTHCARE???

There aren't enough resources in the system to have openings available ON DEMAND, as in, the very next day. There just aren't. That doesn't mean it's bad healthcare. Most doctors and imaging centers leave a few openings a week for emergent cases - if you aren't getting one, then physicians have made the determination that your case is not *that* emergent.

Again, sympathize with the health anxiety that is absolutely normal in such a situation. Also normal is a modest delay in accessing services in ANY healthcare system.

[Anonymous]

I would just wait and have it done at the first facility. You can ask to be put on a list to be called in case of cancellations.

[Anonymous]

Whoever ordered the study can call to try to get you an earlier appointment. In general, it is best to have additional studies done at the same location where the comparison can be done immediately. Contact the ordering provider.

[Anonymous]

I’ve also had luck going back to the referring doctor and having them call the diagnostic office directly (mine was for an MRI—I had surgery, including a 5-day hospital stay, and was out of the hospital and doing light activity before the original MRI appointment came around).

Call the referring doc (the one who ordered the MRI and biopsy), and talk to their nurse/PA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:that isn't "months" it's one month. I don't see why you are upset, that is very soon. I had to wait longer when I had a brain tumor.

That is because in US we accept poor healthcare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are people being so shtty to OP? Usually this board is better than this.

Yes, it's common to have to wait a couple weeks around here, even for something like a biopsy for a suspicious lump.

No, that kind of wait should not be normal. Things like this should be checked ASAP.

It's totally fine and normal for you to be worried, OP. This stuff can be serious. Anyone making you feel bad for worrying can pound sand. It's probably the same ashole poster who goes around shtting on everyone in every thread.

You should call around every office you can find on Google. I was given a 2 week wait for my lump biopsy, and I was the most anxious I have been in my life. I was able to find another office that had an opening later that same week and went there. They were so nice, and I actually liked the radiologist WAY better than the first one. I would go back to this second office if I ever had to do it again.

You need to define "ASAP" and how providers need to prioritize which one bumps other patients. If I've been waiting 4 weeks and get bumped, is that okay? Don't I have right to know what's making me sick too?

The text you bolded says "Should." It does not imply that OP should bump other people with equal or worse situations. It does not imply you don't have a right to know what's making you sick. Stop your outrage at the idea that OP doesn't want to wait weeks to follow up a suspicious lump and focus it on the fact that our current medical system is so overburdened and nothing is being done to improve it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a suspicious lump. The soonest I can get a second scan and biopsy is in September.

I called another radiology company. They said they can't use the film from the first company and they are scheduling 5-8 weeks out just for a diagnostic test.

Anyone else in a similar boat? This is nuts.

Why is it nuts? You have to wait for your turn. September is only next month.

Agreed. Long wait times are to be expected in private health care.

How else would you know your doctor is any good? The longer the wait, the better the doctor—and America has the best in the world!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a suspicious lump. The soonest I can get a second scan and biopsy is in September.

I called another radiology company. They said they can't use the film from the first company and they are scheduling 5-8 weeks out just for a diagnostic test.

Anyone else in a similar boat? This is nuts.

Why is it nuts? You have to wait for your turn. September is only next month.

Agreed. Long wait times are to be expected in private health care.

How else would you know your doctor is any good? The longer the wait, the better the doctor—and America has the best in the world!

You sound dim. No other country in the world has the toxic combination America has of ultra high health costs and crap service.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:that isn't "months" it's one month. I don't see why you are upset, that is very soon. I had to wait longer when I had a brain tumor.

That is because in US we accept poor healthcare.

We have sickcare, not healthcare.

[Anonymous]

Months??? How? Show me the math