Cervical cancer update (node, chemotherapy, treatment, cervix)

[womanlady]

• Waited a few weeks to get the completed second biopsy which confirmed cancer
• Waited another few weeks to do the CT scan which confirmed tumor in cervix and possibility it is in the lungs.
• Met with radiologist. Second CT scan is in process of evaluation. Waiting for an appointment.
• No radiation or chemotherapy yet.
• I do not comprehend the long wait for everything: its been extremely slow: the hospital waits about 7-14 days before they schedule the next procedure. A lot of red tape and snarky/bizarre women to deal with. What is the deal with this?
• They claim radiation treatment should start soon.
• Any insight, help, ideas, or opinions?

[Roselvr]

Originally Posted by womanlady

• Waited a few weeks to get the completed second biopsy which confirmed cancer
• Waited another few weeks to do the CT scan which confirmed tumor in cervix and possibility it is in the lungs.
• Met with radiologist. Second CT scan is in process of evaluation. Waiting for an appointment.
• No radiation or chemotherapy yet.
• I do not comprehend the long wait for everything: its been extremely slow: the hospital waits about 7-14 days before they schedule the next procedure. A lot of red tape and snarky/bizarre women to deal with. What is the deal with this?
• They claim radiation treatment should start soon.
• Any insight, help, ideas, or opinions?

Is it an actual large cancer center or a small hole in the wall in a local hospital?

Everything seemed to take forever with my hub too when we were local; once we switched to the large university teaching hospital / cancer center- things went quick.

This is how it was for hub with oral-
8/3/09- appt with dermatologist who questioned swollen neck node- sent for ultrasound on way home. I was told to find oncologist- no one would touch him. I begged derm to write CT script so as to not waste time- we'd just moved...
8/7- CT
8/13- appt with local ENT & 1st needle biopsy- I didn't know who else to call since oncologists wouldn't see him.
8/19 - MRI
8/24- ENT needle biopsy negative- Dr does another.
8/30 - finally an answer on biopsy- positive
9/2 - pet scan (local) - took almost a week for them to read it. I actually picked it up on 9/8 an hour before his appointment. The only reason they read it was because I told them 9/7 we needed it for the next day.
9/8- local ENT wanted to "explore" hubs throat & look for cancer; taking biopsies.... canceled
9/9 ENT specialist at large University- Dr looked at hub said; cancer is here, here & here.
Pre admission testing
9/22- surgery - cancer tested in their pathology department- no wait.

Hub's had just about all his testing at the large center & it's night & day with results. Even the pet scan is read same day.

Had we stayed local & let the local ENT do that surgery 9/8- we wouldn't have results for 2 weeks because everything had to be sent out. Theres a gal here who's brother (similar cancer as my hubs) got cut during a biopsy; so I put my foot down & its the best decision I made.

[Roselvr]

How far are you from MD Anderson?
Did you ever get to the board I sent you to?

It sounds like you're working with smaller offices & not a larger place. My hubs doctors are all in the same building & meet every Wednesday; sooner if need be.

[chele123]

I'm sorry your cancer was confirmed.

For me it was about 6 weeks from the time I found my lump to the time I had surgery. Test and wait. Test and wait. It drove me nuts.