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Any advice would be really appreciated

EllaW
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I've had under right rib discomfort for several years, but this was investigated three years ago and nothing was found.

At the start of November I was put on a cancer pathway by my GP for an endoscopy as I had stomach pain and I was losing a lot of weight, but I didn't get seen for over five weeks. I think this is due to me being younger than the standard age to fit the criteria. The endoscopy was clear so they gave me an ultrasound (within a week). This found a dilated bile duct, so I was put forward for an MRI (MRCP). This took a further four weeks. Since then I've had breast lumps appear, so I'm now seeing the breast care centre next week (only a three-week wait, so I'm glad about that) and, more recently, I've started to show signs of diabetes.

I haven't had the results from the MRI yet and it has been several weeks. My husband says this can only be good news, as they would have dealt with it urgently if it was something serious. However, all my other issues and the growing under right rib discomfort/increasing weight loss leads me to believe that there is something definitely wrong. The signs seem to link with an issue with my pancreas.

I appreciate that covid means that everything is much slower now, but do you have any advice on how I can get things moving? It's been almost three months since I went to my GP and I know that time is of the essence, but this is moving forward at a frustrating and worrying pace.

 

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    I've just seen that this may flout one of the forum's guidelines about 'cannot help you to get a diagnosis'.

    I guess that I'm simply worried that the longer this goes on, the less likely that I will be okay if it does turn out to be cancer - especially as more and more symptoms are occuring now. Apologies if I have asked an unanswerable question.

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    EllaW

    Hi EllaW, I'm sorry your having so much trouble getting your results ,I've had a simular experience, I had vulva biobsy taken on the 8th December 2021,and have been worried sick  as I've had breast cancer  a lumpectomy and all lympthnodes were removed from under my right arm as three contained cancer , I inished chemotherapy in December 2020,and Radiotherapy in March 2021,so it's not been long,and I've found another lump  in the same breast  and have just got appointment through for that to be checked out in the breast clinic on 26th January 2022, next Wednesday,so like you have had a lot going on .  I had to chase up my results from my biobsy as it had been 5 weeks and 3 days and I hadnt heard anything. I called my GP to see if they had heard anything back,they hadn't  but said they would try and chase it up,I left messages with the gynecologist secretary, three times,I called a direct line number I was given  but no one picked up the call.  So in the end I called the main hospital and spoke to the operator, explained I'd been trying to find out about my results,and gave her the number of the direct line I was given,and explained I'd been calling it for weeks,and no one was picking up my call. The operator  said " let me try for you,they may pick up ,and lo and behold they did,so I was able to  speak to someone,and was told I had Vin3,pre cancerous cells,and  my gynecologist would write to me and my GP. So maybe try that if you can get  a direct line number,or just call the operator at your main hospital and explain, like I did,they will probably put you through to the relevant  department or ward. Good luck  ,and I hope you get some answers soon.

     

  • Hi EllaW,

    I'm sorry to hear about your difficulties and how long it's taking to get answers. I just wanted to send a reply to give you our nurses' phone number, as it may be helpful to talk things through and they may have some suggestions or advice for you.

    If you'd like to do this, you can reach them on freephone 0808 800 4040 - Monday-Friday, 9-5.

    I hope you're able to get some answers soon.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Ben
    Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Offline in reply to Jassoscared

    Hi Jassoscared

    You're going through so much. I do hope your appointment at the breast clinic goes as well as it can.  I really feel for you. I can't understand the waiting, especially when they have your biopsy results. I think this just makes it so much harder all round, especially as you've had so many worries to deal with.

    Thank you so much for your advice about calling on a direct line, or going via the operator to get through to them (the latter worked for me once when trying to get through to a department and I'd forgotten how useful that idea can be).

    ​​​​​​​Thank you! Good luck on the 26th. xxx
     

  • Offline in reply to Moderator Ben

    Hi Ben

    Thank you very much for the phone number. I'll give them a call tomorrow (as it's nearly five now).

    I really appreciate you taking the time to post this. x

  • Offline in reply to EllaW

    Hi EllaW, 

    How are you getting on? Have you had your results from your MRCP? 

    I've had an MRCP today, as I'm under investigation for my pancreas. 

    Take care,

    SunshineH x

     

  • Offline in reply to SunshineH

    Hi Sunshine

    Coincidentally, I've just written a post as I'm still waiting for my MRCP results. I phoned the consultant's secretary - as the helpline nurse suggested - but I haven't had a response to my message.

    I do hope all goes well with your MRCP and you get your results promptly. I can imagine that you must be quite worried. xxx

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