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Mum has myeloma

Sarasara
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Hi 

My 72 year old mum was told on Thursday by her GP that she has myeloma - via blood test results. Her appointment with the consultant haematologist isn’t until the 23th February. On this site it says she should have an urgent referral within 2 weeks but the wait is 4. We thought it was a good sign that her appointment wasn’t very quick (we had hoped her readings were low) but now I’m worried that it might just be down to being the first available appointment. Is it usual to wait this long? Many thanks, Sara 

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    Hi Sara. Welcome to the forum, and I'm very sorry to hear of mother's case.

    I should start out by saying that apart from the nurses, who work UK office hours, we're not actually medically qualified. I'm not a doctor.

    It seems a little strange to me that your mother's GP would make a myeloma diagnosis at all. Most people here have been referred by their GP to a specialist, the specialist makes further tests, and then a diagnosis is made. But of course, I'm no expert in this.

    I think if I were in your situation, I would accompany my mother to see her GP, and ask whether this is a suspected or actual diagnosis, and ask whether it's possible to make a more urgent referral, even if it means going to a different hospital. I would also ask for a copy of all the blood test results, but then I always ask for a copy of all results. 

    You could also post a message in the Ask the Nurses section of this forum, or phone directly during office hours on the number below: 0808 800 4040 

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    I was told by my gp that I probably had myeloma and was referred under the two week rule. My appointment was on the last day of that two weeks.

    I, as well as some family members asked the gp and also the consultants secretary if there was an earlier one available. There wasn't but in the event, they called me back and put me in an earlier cancelled appointment slot.

    Four weeks certainly falls outside the two week period but it may be that's the earliest 'urgent' appointment within your health authority. I'd advise contacting your gp and asking if he/she could assist you in getting an earlier, within the two week rule, appointment.

    Your mum, when she eventually sees the consultant, will have a series of further tests and scans to confirm the diagnosis and create a treament plan. These may take a further couple of weeks.

    In the meantime, you and your mum should ensure she keeps away from sources of infection. Infections can kill, as the person with myeloma will have a depressed immune system.

    I don't know how much, if anything, you've learned yet about myeloma, so if you have any questions, please feel free to ask and I'll try my best to help.

     

    Best Regards

    Taff

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