1 month to 1st appt?

[juniemoon]

My grandmother was just diagnosed with NSCLC (by her pulmonologist) after having  pneumonia like symptoms treated, then being miss diagnosed as having TB.  So overall, she's probably been showing symptoms for 3-4 months now.  I'm not sure of her staging.  

Her first appointment with the oncologist is in a month.   I am wondering if it is standard practice for the first appointment to be this far off.  What type of time frames have people experienced?  

Any information would be great!

[oldmama]

I just found out I have spots on my lungs.  My appointment is over a month. Why?  I went to the office to pick up the papers I have to fill out and there was not one patient in there waiting.  They are suppose to call if they have a cancelation.  I am not holding my breath.  I am going to call around and see if anyone else can get me in.  The stress of waiting to find out something will kill me.  Good luck

[helpmom07]

My mother was given a far off appointment as well after a preliminary cancer diagnosis.  I called the oncologist office the next day and was luckily given a appt for a cancellation the following day.  Even then, I would have pushed for priority since time is of essence.  Talk to the office and state the urgency, normally they should understand patients' concern.

[DrBhumikaMD]

Hi,
Some delay in seeing a specialist is usually inevitable. But still you should have been given an appointment with the oncologist on a first priority basis due to the delay in diagnosis - which is not unusual though. You need to discuss this with your family physician and ask him the reason for the delayed appointment and if you could opt for another oncologist in the mean time. What is the age of your grandmother and has her NSCLC been staged as yet? You also need to discuss all your doubts with the oncologist in detail when you get to see him. Goodluck.