Hi all. Am in that odd "in between" of not knowing what's what and playing the waiting game and trying to empty my head for a couple of weeks. Perhaps getting this down in writing will help ....
I was in hospital at the end of June with a delightful gallbladder inflammation, pumped full of antibiotics and painkillers. A couple of days into my stay the consultant didn't think my infection numbers were coming down as quickly as he'd like so advised that I should have an MRI and if any gall stones had gone walkabout it/they should be fished out. This convo took place on a Thursday with MRI booked for Friday subsequently delayed till the Monday at which point I felt nearly back to normal, slight discomfort but no real pain etc and really climbing the hospital walls.
The MRI took place Monday morning and as early as lunchtime I was advised that inflammation was improving but there was an incidental finding of a retroperitoneal mass (near the adrenal gland) and they would discharge me but refer to Sarcoma MDT.
I then heard nothing for 2 weeks so called my GP who only had my discharge letter but would chase info, Following week got a call to request the 24 hours urine collection but my GP/surgery still didn't have any other info. On 30th July I emailed my GP's surgery to find out where I was in the system and they passed the request to original hospital who were excellent, called me on 31st July, advised that a lot of emails had gone back and forth aboout me and they followed up with letter confirming that my case was now with Endocrine Dept who would contact me. In fact Sarcoma MDT had discussed me already on 6th July and referred me back to Endocrne dept,
Got a call from Endocrine surgery dept on 5th August saying still waiting for the urine results but that a CT would be requested. At this point biopsy not possible as the mass is near an artery. Got the CT appointment letter and now waiting for 19th August to hurry along - CT with contrast of Thorax / Abdo / Pelvis.
It seems that everything is happening in 2 week increments so would love to unplug my brain as keep thinking of this thing, what it is, could be, how long it's been there, has it got any neighbours, am I feeling it or think I'm feeling it - am I extra hormonal, not enough hormonal, etc etc. Googling far too much which I know is stupid but "whatcha gonna do" ....
My partner is the only one who knows about this - not told my adult son or other family or work as nothing to tell but finding it hard when people ask if I'm ok after the gallbladder saga and then putting on a smiley face as gallbladder is quite happy at the moment, just that matter of a 6 x 5 cm mass.
.... and breathe .... feels good to let it out ....
