Urgent Colorectal Cancer Pathway Phone Assessment

Hi Everyone,

I had my phone assessment today with the team for the Urgent Colorectal Cancer Pathway and I've come away having very mixed feelings about it.

I was answering all of the questions that the lady on the phone was asking me honestly and as best as I could. I really told her everything that I had noticed was different and that I wanted to note just in case it could help when it comes to any investigations. After all of that she seemed really dismissive and condescending. She basically but the blame of my symptoms on the fact I had a baby 8 months ago and my contraceptive implant could also be messing with me. Look, I know that after you have a baby, especially a c-section baby, that things like constipation and weight loss are all a part of the post partum experience. However, I don't see how that is grounds for completely dismissing my anxieties. Clearly my GP has referred me for a reason. She went on to say that once she's passed the info to the consultants, she will be able to call me on Wednesday morning to let me know what they have decided is the best course of action. But THEN she carried on saying that if it was up to her she wouldn't want to do much about it because she doesn't think that there's anything to be worried about!!! I'm sorry but in my opinion, if you're not the consultant, then you shouldn't be giving your opinion to somebody who is undergoing tests and investigations to determine if they have cancer or not!! So now I don't know what to think because a close friend said it should be a good thing that she said there isn't much to worry about, but on the other hand she doesn't know my blood test results or anything so she may not have a clue how bad things actually are! 

Sorry for the rant I just had to get it off my chest how annoyed and frustrated I've become. Just need to wait until Wednesday morning to see what they want to do with me. I really hope it isn't cancer but being a hypocondriac I have pretty much ticked off every symptom on the list and convinced myself I'm 100% dying so yeah... fun times I guess haha (if i don't laugh i'll cry)

  • Gothmama

    Hi I'm not surprised your feeling this way ,as its definitely a worry for you , regardless of you not long having a baby eight mths ago. Your hormones will be all over the place, and although it's good that she doesn't think that thier is anything to worry about,that doesn't automatically take away your worries about it all,as you rightly say your gp ,has concerns otherwise you wouldn't of been sent on the cancer pathway. 

    But let's hope she is right,and it isn't cancer, but yes I can understand how you must of felt,it must of felt like she was thinking your worries àre not necessary, when in reality anyone having the symptoms your having would worry.  

    Try not to dwell on it too much though,there will always be someone in life that rubs you up  the wrong way,so to speak. 

    Big hugs are sent your way xx.