Hi Worried-for-dad,

A very warm welcome to the forum.

I am sorry to hear about your dad's health. This is always a worrying time waiting for results, but it must be especially worrying for you, noticing such a dramatic change in a fit man, in such a short period of time.. It is always difficult for the consultant to give another appointment until the outcome is returned to them and a diagnosis is given. Regular MDT (multi-Disciplinary team) meetings are held, once the results are back. These meetings involve all the medical specialists who are likely to be involved in your dad's care. Here they will discuss the findings and decide on any treatment that may be needed.

Your dad hasn't been given a follow up appointment until a decision has been reached. Most hospitals will wait until they have got the results back and these meetings have been held, before contacting your dad, with his next appointment. The length of time one has to wait for results will vary from one hospital to another, as well as on the type of tests carried out. He could possibly phone his consultant's secretary in a couple of weeks to see if his results are available. They probably won't tell you anything, unless you have Power of Attorney for your dad. They cannot reveal the results over the phone, but can usually tell you if they are back and whether they have been through the MDT process. You will usually get an appointment soon after this has been done.

Have you discussed his eating and drinking problems with his GP? They can prescribe build up drinks and yoghurts which will give him sufficient calories to keep functioning. It is only natural that he is wasting away, weak and anaemic, if he doesn't have enough calorie intake at present.

I hope that things start to move for him soon. There's nothing worse than sitting in this "unknown" state. The sooner you know something, you'll be able to start treatment.

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

Kind regards,

Jolamine 

Thank you I honestly am struggling with the thought that we really will still be waiting for weeks. He has given written permission for the hospital and the gp to speak to me as he just isn’t well e nough he also has a sore throat and trouble swallowing as well as a small lump on his neck. The gp has been really good and has prescribed nutritional drinks but he’s still struggling with them as his ummy constantly feels full so he isn’t managing to get much in and what he is getting in he’s sweating out. If something doesn’t get sorted soon am not sure what to do he’s lost 14 kgs in the last 6 h weeks

The fact that your dad has given written permission for you to speak to the hospital staff and his GP should make things easier. Have you spoken to his GP or his hospital carers and expressed your concerns about how fast he is deteriorating? The main thing to concentrate on, especially in this hot weather, is to keep him hydrated with plenty of fluid. I know how difficult it can be to persuade someone who doesn't want to eat or drink to take anything, but keep insisting.

As I said in my previous reply, waiting times can vary. My hubby has recently undergone a flexible sigmoidoscopy, an endoscopy (27th May) and a CT (6th June) scan for similar complaints. \\\they told him that there were nodules present in both, so they took 9 biopsies at the time of the procedures and we were told that we would see the consultant in 3 months. We received a letter last week telling us that they had found diverticulitis and Barrett's Oesophagus but no cancer. We were told that there was no need for further consultation, but we could get re-referred if the problem worsened. We are now waiting to see his GP, as this doesn't help with the fact that the only thing he can manage to eat is soup. The palliative care doctor has just contacted his GP asking him to supply the build up drinks, but I'm not sure how well he'll manage these, as he constantly feels full. He is also Diabetic, so his sugar levels go crazy when he doesn't eat. Sometimes, we just have to advocate for ourselves, but it's not always easy!

Kind regards,

Jolamine 

We managed to see the consultant at the hospital today and get the ct scan results and they are almost certain he has lymphoma but we now need to wait for a biopsy to confirm it and see where we go next. The surgeon seemed to think it was treatabke but couldn’t really give us any information I just wish someone could help him feel better now. The gp came out this morning be prescribed anti sickness and adjusted the dosage of pain meds and the hospital said they will ask gp to receive steroids so hopefully something helps. 

I really hope you manage to see the gp and get some answers soon it’s awful when nobody seems to be helping or realising how bad things are! X