Hello Jane, and thanks for posting.

As our moderator Steph has said it is best to contact the hospital where the appointment is. At the moment things are happening a bit differently in each hospital or trust so it is very much a local decision about outpatient appointments rather than a national one, so it would be difficult for us to know whats happening near you. 

I'm aware that her appointment is now today, so hopefully you have this sorted.

Take care, and if there's anything else you want to talk through do contact the nurses on our helpline. The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040, and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

Sarah.

Thank you for your reply 

 we attended today for the discussion and I was allowed to go in with my auntie, unfortunately she has been told she has womb cancer and they have seen a mass on the ct scan, she has been booked in for a MRI scan this Wednesday and then back to the consultant on the 25th to discuss as he needs the MRI to decide how he will operate after they have had a MDT meeting, if there is a mass then full surgery and if a simple cyst then key hole, hysterectomy removing  the womb, ovaries and lymph nodes, she has been told she will need chemotherapy and radiotherapy after, we are in a state of shock tbh, we were given the Macmillion information booklets on the cancer and care etc but my aunt has refused to take them home and read them, I've got these now and have been trying to fully inform myself of what's to come but my aunt is burying her head in the sand, it's very difficult as she's the full time carer for my grandma who turn 100  in January ... how long from the next discussion with the consultant would the operation take place and when would chemotherapy start? 
thanks 

jane 

Hello Jane and thank you for the update about your aunt,  

I am very sorry to learn what the consultant has said and can understand that this has come as a shock. 

There are cancer waiting time targets in the NHS which you can read about on our website at this link , but I can't be sure exactly which date your aunt will be given for her operation. There is a 31 day target from what is called the decision to treat date which is usually after the MDT has recommended a treatment, the clock starts from the day the patient agrees to have it. Some people may have surgery sooner, but the target is to have it within 31 days from then.

Chemotherapy can't usually start until everything has healed up after surgery, so possibly about 4-6 weeks afterwards, but again I can't be exact. 

Everyone processes news like this differently and some of us are a step ahead of others for a while until they catch up.  This is inevitably a stressful time as there is uncertainty to cope with which isn't easy. I hope that the consultant can provide more information on the 25th and clarify what the timescales will be for your aunt's treatment. 

Call us if you want to talk anything over and feel free to pass our number on if you want to.   The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

All the best, 

Julia