Worried about time it is taking to be treated.

I contacted my GP in September with abdominal pains. I had bloods done then a Qfit and in mid October was advised he thought I may have bowel cancer and was referring for urgent double scope which would take approximately 5 weeks. We scraped the money together to go private and was diagnosed with a moderately differentiated caecal adenocarcinoma on 5th November . My GP then referred me to the colorectal cancer pathway.

I had a CT scan early December and was advised on Christmas Eve that there was a  node on my Adrenal Gland and was being referred for another urgent scan which would take around 2 weeks. When 3 weeks passed I called the nurse who told me she would refer me again which will take around another 3 weeks.

It is now 11 weeks since diagnosis and I am still waiting for scan of my Adrenal Gland with no sign of treatment starting. I am worried sick that by the time they start it will be too late.

Is this time scale normal? Am I right to be concerned?

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. 

  • I intend to be busy Monday and hopefully will be better informed this coming week. It's difficult enough dealing with the illness and the financial hit without the unnecessary worry created by the lack of information. You are absolutely right, it's torturous. I thank you for your concern which is truly appreciated. 

  • Let us know how you get on and fingers crossed they get moving for you . 

  • Update 

    I dropped into Maggie's on Monday and spoke with one of the the Cancer Support Team who was, once again, great. Over the last couple of days she made some calls on my behalf one being to her McMillan Nurse contact. This nurse contacted Radiology and phoned me this morning to advise I have a CT scan booked for Tuesday morning. I am much relieved that I am now progressing through the system. 

  • Hiya . 
    That is very good news . I'm relieved for you . Like you say at least you know for definite you're in the system and things can get moving for you . 
    I wish you all the best and hope it all goes well . I have a results appointment tomorrow and am thinking I'll drop in to Maggies before I go for a bit of extra support . Anxiety is through the roof as I have no idea what I'm facing . 
    Good luck and let us know how you get on . 

  • Hi, 

    Thanks again for your thoughts and support. I am really thankful for the service that Maggie's provide. 

    I wish you the very best for tomorrow and please let us know how you get on. 

  • Update on my pot holed pathway 

    no further forward with liver lesion . No idea what it is so CT scan asked for . No surgery until we have an answer . Consultant said it would be very very unusual for this lesion to be connected to the primary at this stage especially when every other area is clear according to MRI and ultrasound . Started on endocrine treatment today which makes me a bit happier and more hopeful that this dementor will be annihilated before too long . Fingers crossed for a quick CT appointment and results to get things moving properly . Hope the next few days go quick for us . 

  • I was thinking about you today wondering how your consultation was going. I am pleased that you are feeling happier and more hopeful. I think your consultant's opinion is positive. I hope you don't have to wait too long for your CT scan. It's the long spells of nothing that I find difficult. It's a wee bit sad when the postman delivering news of a hospital procedure is a highlight. I look forward to my scan on Tuesday and hope that the node on my Adrenal Gland is nothing clearing the way for surgery. We both have a bit to go yet but I'm sure we will get there. 

  • Thanks for replying . Very much appreciated . It can be a lonely place and completely agree that the waiting inbetween is horrible . Me and my postie are on first name terms now although I do see him running past the house if he has nothing for me ! I wonder if he thinks I'm going to rugby tackle him to the ground ... 
    yup we definitely have a way to go but at least things are moving which is hopeful . I can't believe this tiny liver thing is causing so much hassle . It will be the same for you as well but I get they need to check absolutely everything and then blast the other "thing" . Let us know how Tuesday goes . I'll keep everything crossed for you . 

  • Had CT scan of Adrenal Gland today. One more step in a slow moving process. Don't know how long I'll wait for the results. At least I feel like I am now making some progress. Hopefully the node is insignificant and I can have surgery some time soon. I'll post an update when I know something. I was thinking, whilst lying on the CT scanner, about all the wonderful advances in medical technology during my lifetime and yet the indignity of the hospital goonie still persists. 

  • I was thinking about you today and how it went . Hopefully you won't wait too long for the results and then can get going with the rest and start on the road to recovery . 
    hahaha , the goonie is a corker . I had two when I went for an MRI and nearly choked myself in the cubicle  before I'd even set foot near the machine . 
    I've got a CT on Thursday (seems to be my day for appointments) and have to go up a lane between two different buildings apparently to a mobile unit . I'm thinking twighlight zone ....It will be interesting if nothing else

    let us know how you get on and fingers crossed for speedy results .