Hi Anna and welcome to the forum.

I'm sorry for how long you've had to wait for your referral. Unfortunately due to the pandemic a lot of referrals, including urgent referrals, are being delayed (waiting times can differ/depend on what part of the country you're in as well) but we'll have our fingers crossed you'll hear something soon.

As it's been 3 months you could get try getting an update from the hospital and let them know you're willing to take any cancellations if they come up.

The waiting is always really tough but you're not alone as many of members of our community have also been affected and I'm sure some of them will pop by soon to offer their support and advice.

Kind regards,

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi Anna

I went to the doctor in January 2020 with irregular spotting which running made worse, exactly the same as you.

I'd also had a smear in November 2019 which showed no abnormal cells changes but I had HPV.

I had a referral in January 2020, they did a biopsy in March and was told I had cervical cancer in April. 

Are you smears up to date? 

X

Hi,

Yeah. I haven't had one for a couple of years I don't think but haven't had a reminder through yet. They've always come back normal.

How has the last year been for you since your diagnosis?

Anna

It may be worth you getting a smear test ASAP, you don't need a reminder just tell them you are worried and have irregular bleeding. I'm surprised your doctor didn't carry one out. They have only recently started to test for HPV so although it may have been clear before you still may have had HPV, don't mean to alarm you, it's just what happened with me and I don't want it happening to anyone else.  It may also put your mind at rest while you wait for your appointment.

I'm currently undergoing chemotherapy for a reoccurrence in December. Its been a long year 

Ouch. As if the world wasn't tough enough already at the moment eh! How are you finding the chemo so far?

When I went to see the doctor when she referred me she did some swabs. Annoyingly your brain just goes into a panic doesn't it and you don't ask the right questions. I feel like she said they were just to test for infections though. 

I called the hospital and they said the consultant had put me down as routine and not urgent despite being referred for an appt within two weeks. Think I'll give my GP a call tomorrow. 
 

I know right, it's really bad timing for cancer treatment, although I'm not sure what good timing would be.

My partner had to cut my hair off, but he did a great job.

Chemotherapy was tough in the first week but after that not that bad, I did have my covid vaccination on Monday and was so ill after, it was even worse than the chemo!

Yeah chase them up, my experience is that most of them are really rubbish. My GP was great, but the scans and appointments I received in the hospital after that were delayed and communication was awful.