Colonme wrote:Hi all!
I am new to this all. I was diagnosed on 4-3-2018 with colon cancer (Gastroenterologist). I had surgery on 6-6-2018 (general surgeon). He thinks he got it all, and doesn’t expect me to need chemo. I’ll believe it after I see the oncologist. Tumor site: cecum. Stage 2, pT3N0M0, grade 2. Consistent with MSS tumor/more likely to respond to 5-FU based chemo. I have not seen my oncologist yet and won’t until AUGUST. From what I’ve read, adjuvant chemo is a real possibility. Any advice from those more experienced? What falls under “5-FU based chemo?” I have no patience.... This took two months just to have the surgery, and two more months for the oncology appointment that I get to anticipate for five more weeks.... I am a bit nervous.... what can I expect?
Caat55 wrote:Where do you live that you haven't been able to see an oncologist in 4 months?
Utwo wrote:Caat55 wrote:Where do you live that you haven't been able to see an oncologist in 4 months?
Canada or another single payer country?
For me 2 month waiting for a surgery seems in line with Canadian situation.
Many Americans have not even heard about "Waiting times".
However in many countries it's a real issue.
Utwo wrote:Caat55 wrote:Where do you live that you haven't been able to see an oncologist in 4 months?
Canada or another single payer country?
For me 2 month waiting for a surgery seems in line with Canadian situation.
Many Americans have not even heard about "Waiting times".
However in many countries it's a real issue.
Caat55 wrote:So many questions for you but there are way wiser people here then me. Your course of treatment is so unlike what I know or have read. Where do you live that you haven't been able to see an oncologist in 4 months?
Utwo wrote:Caat55 wrote:Where do you live that you haven't been able to see an oncologist in 4 months?
Canada or another single payer country?
For me 2 month waiting for a surgery seems in line with Canadian situation.
Many Americans have not even heard about "Waiting times".
However in many countries it's a real issue.
DarknessEmbraced wrote:Welcome to the group and sorry for your diagnosis!*hugs* I hope your meeting with the oncologist goes well!*hugs* I was diagnosed as stage 2a in 2014. Chemo wasn't recommended and I have been in remission since surgery.
MissMolly wrote:Utwo wrote:Caat55 wrote:Where do you live that you haven't been able to see an oncologist in 4 months?
Canada or another single payer country?
For me 2 month waiting for a surgery seems in line with Canadian situation.
Many Americans have not even heard about "Waiting times".
However in many countries it's a real issue.
Extensive wait times for new patient appointments are not uncommon in the United States. Specialist appointments can be especially difficult to schedule in a timely manner.
Urban/metropolitan communities have a larger pool of specialists as opposed to rural/small town and can exacerbate discrepancies in terms of access to care and appointment wait times.
I love in Portland, Oregon - a large, metropolitan city on the west coast that is a hub for highly skilled software developers. Need to see a rheumatologist for evaluation of a possible auto-immune disorder? Expect an 8-10 week wait for a new patient consultation. Need to see an endocrinologist for diabetes management or to diagnose pituitary suppression due to corticosteroid use? Expect a 10-12 week wait for a new patient consultation.
Wait times are very real in the United States depending on the availability of the specialist that one needs to see.
Karen
martd wrote:November of 2017 I called Mayo Clinic in Phoenix for a second opinion after finding out about my crc. They scheduled for the following day two appointments first with the surgeon second with onc. The following morning they called and asked for me to come in for a CT scan. It was at the appt with the surgeon I learned it was stage 4 with 17 liver Mets. After the appt with the onc he sent me down stairs to meet with the port surgeon, I was in surgery the following morning receiving the port and started chemo a week later. It was three weeks later and I still was waiting for the first onc to schedule my scan. This incredible treatment I'm receiving from Mayo continues, just yesterday I'm at my pre-op exam for my second liver resection, I told them I've been experiencing shortness of breath which was something new, that afternoon I had an EKG , heart echocardiogram, and x-ray then scheduled a CT scan for Thursday. After I got home they called to have me come in for the CT scan that evening.
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