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Worried about Stomach/Oesophagus Cancer

AmanMc
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Hi my name is Amanda. I am a 42 year old female and have visited my GP many times in the last few months. My symptoms include, Nausea, heartburn, feeling full after a small amount of food, abdominal cramps.  I have lost over a stone in weight in the last few months and generally feel unwell. I used to love food and have very little appetite. 
My bloods show excess iron, high ferritin and high % transsaturation and my liver function is not normal. I have raised ALT. Full blood count all normal. 
My GP has now requested a referall to a gastroenterologist. He advised he would do this in the 2 week period. 
I don't know how to deal with the waiting. I have an 11 year old son and the worrying is consuming me. I Have also been googling obsessively too. 
Can people give me tips and positivity. Would rather have a diagnosis than waiting if that makes sense. 
 

Any advice much appreciated. 

  • Hi AmanMc,

    Welcome to Cancer Chat. How you're feeling is understandable - it's often the waiting for information that can be the most difficult.

    Some people find it helps to keep busy or distracted, and to carry on as normally as possible. I know this can be easier said than done.

    Try to avoid Googling things - this is rarely helpful as the information isn't specific to you and can be irrelevant too.

    It's good that you don't have too long until the next appointment and I hope the waiting is OK for you.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Ben
    Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Ben

    Thankyou for the response.

    The waiting feels the hardest and I feel I have had to push to get to this point. 

    Can you advise when I should chase regarding the referall. I had my GP appt on Tuesday. As yet have heard nothing. 

    I have all sorts of scenarios going through my head. I assume nobody knows until they have a definitive answer on what is going on.  Please reiterate this to me again!!!! 

  • in reply to AmanMc

    I can completely understand this - the uncertainty is never easy.

    As you mentioned your GP would be using a two week referral, if you haven't heard anything after two weeks then you could call to enquire.

    Yes as you say, the mind tends to wander all over the place in these situations, but the best thing to do is wait for your next appointment to find out more then, when you'll hopefully be able to get some more answers.

    All the best,

    Ben
    Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Ben

    The NHS have thrown out my referall as urgent despite all my symptoms and significant weight loss, they say it does not meet the urgent criteria. 
    I have requested a private referall which I will now be paying for. 
    Am really shocked at this and feeling very disheartened. 

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