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Been sent for 'sarcoma referraI’, not sure what to think.

Cs2202
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Hey,

(Sorry this is a bit of a long story) I have had a lump on my buttock for some time was told it's a lipoma, but end of 2019/beginning of 2020 it began to grow. I went and saw my dr and they said they needed to refer me. Then COVID hit and my appointment with a surgeon got pushed back from April until July. I wasn't worried at all it was more that it was just getting uncomfortable. 
The surgeon referred me for a mri scan to see how deep it went and they were all really delayed so that didn't happen till October. Then they needed to repeat that with contrast so that didn't happen until the beginning of December. 
A few days after the second MRI I got a phone call from the surgeon saying he was going to refer it to the orthopaedic department just because it was a bit deep and he thought they might be better to deal with the muscle. But not to worry it was all superficial. 
Ive not heard a thing since, but because of COVID I just assumed that everything is delayed. 

Today I got a text reminder for an appointment with a consultant in an Orthopaedic Centre, Oxford, which is not my local hospital (it's well over an hour away) and the thing that has absolutely terrified me is that the top of the text had "sarcoma.referrals." Which is the first time anyone has said that word to me. So after calling and checking the appointment was for me and they hadn't just got the wrong number I looked into the centre and what a sarcoma is and now I am freaking out. I don't really want to tell anyone, this week we lost a family friend to cancer and one of my best friends parents to cancer. Plus my cousin was in a car crash and is in the icu. It's been a very dramatic week for everyone I love and I really just don't want to dump this on anyone. Especially if I'm just freaking out for no reason.

I guess I just wondered if anyone had any experience of anything like this, or even of the centre. I don't really know where else to turn and Monday suddenly seems really far away. I have two teens at home and supporting their remote learning is not going well today (on my part they are doing fine) so I was hoping if I at least spoke about it to someone I might be able to focus again. 
thank you if you got this far 

  • Welcome to the forum Cs2202 although I'm sorry for the reason you're joining us.

    Hopefully some of our members who have had this type of referral will let you know about their experiences soon but in the meantime I just wanted to wish you all the best for Monday and let you know we're thinking of you.

    Fingers crossed everything will be o.k.

    Kind regards,

    Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

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    Hi Cs2202. Welcome to the forum.

    I think that if sarcoma was being considered as a diagnosis at any time, you would have been told much earllier.  I think the most likely explanation is that the second surgeon normally works in the sarcoma department, but has accepted your referral from the first surgeon.  Of course, the admin staff in that department aren't aware of this and are treating you just as any other patient.  

    It's quite possible that the two MRI reports will be available via your GP's computer system.  These should cast some more light on the situation. I suggest you phone your GP surgery on Monday and ask for a phone appointment to speak to your GP. 

    This is an unusual situation; please could you let us know how you get on.  There may be others in this situation and your feedback will help us to help them in future.

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