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waiting, waiting and more waiting

Sandpiper22
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Hello everyone,

I am waiting for the results of an urgent CT scan on my liver due to a large lesion found during an ultrasound. I contacted the hospital that carried out the scan and they confirmed the scan had been reported and sent back to my consultant. I have been trying to contact the consultants secretary for the last week without any joy but managed to speak to her this morning. I am even more stressed now (if thats possible) than I was before I spoke to her.

She confirmed the results had been reported back but that they were on a 'go slow' and that the consultant hadnt looked at the report yet. She said that she would send him a message and ask him to look at the report but that it probably wouldnt be today.

Now dont get me wrong, I know that I am one of many awaiting such results but to be so vague and give me the impression that my results are not important left me speechless.

The cancer they suspected was HCC which if I am correct in my research is a fast, agressive type of cancer and I would have thought they my results would be looked at promptly but it appears not.

If the cancer doesnt kill me then the distress this waiting is causing certainly will.

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    Hi Sandpiper.  It really is stressful waiting for scan results especially like you said it could be a fast growing cancer.  I would phone the secretary again today and everday until you get heard.  It really is not good enough to be told they are on a go slow ( this is your life they are talking about)  Why don't you contact PALS at your hospital and put in a complaint.  I have secondary cancer and found that you have to stand your ground and make yourself heard.  I am really praying that your scan comes back okay.  Big hugs.

    Lee x

  • Offline in reply to leelaloo

    Thanks for your reply.

    The secretary is notoriously hard to speak with as her phone automatically goes to a voicemail! Tried asking reception for an alternative number but told that is the only one.

    I will keep hassling though!

  • Offline in reply to Sandpiper22

    Had a call from the Secretary who was very abrupt and reiterated that the consultant had not looked at the report and that I had to just wait. She said the consultant has a full week of appointments so he will look at it when he can.

    She did say that if it was of major concern it would be flagged as urgent and its not so I took a small glimmer of hope from that BUT it was quickly replaced by the thought 'if the consultant hasnt looked at the report, how does he know its not flagged as urgent'

    The waiting continues......

  • Offline in reply to Sandpiper22

    Hi Sandpiper,

    A very warm welcome to our forum.

    This is always an anxious wait.

    When did you have your scan? There are procedures to be followed by your consultant once your CT results are returned. Your consultant will hold regular MDT (multi disciplinary team) meetings - usually weekly, to discuss all of the cases that have been returned that week. This is where all of the different medical professionals who might be involved in your care, should you need it, discuss the findings and the best way forward. This all takes time, but means that by the time you attend for the results, your consultant will not only be able to give you the results, but also outline any treatment that might be needed.

    Reports that are flagged as urgent would be shown to him as a matter of priority once they are received. Let's hope that it's good news that it's not been flagged up.

    Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx.

  • Offline in reply to Jolamine

    Thank your reply and explanation of procedures which does make sense.

    I guess I am just so scared and the not knowing is so hard so I felt by chasing up my results, it made me feel like I was doing something proactive.

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