It felt like a race against time.
From the moment the referral letter was sent to the post MDT appointment it felt as if the medical staff knew every hour counted. As if even a one day delay could reduce my lifetime.
Friday afternoon letter sent. Saturday morning phone call from CNS, we have your referral. Can you attend an out of hours appointment for an MRI. Yes I can. Appointment is 8pm on Monday. 10am Tuesday another phone call. MRI shows signs of change that need further investigation. We need your consent for a biopsy. Yes I do have the NHS App. Good I have sent a letter that needs you to sign electronically. Your appointment will be confirmed as soon as it is signed. Tuesday PM letter signed, biopsy confirmed
11 days from referral to biopsy. This urgency creates stress. You begin to wonder what they know and you don’t. Then longest wait for the biopsy results. It’s natural to think the worst. Just missed one MDT so waited 5 days more until the following week. My results are elsewhere so not repeated here.
At the end of the biopsy discussion. No blue flashing lights, no sobbing tears, no knowing hand on the shoulder. I stand up and confirm I will call in the new year and make a treatment decision.
What is needed is psychological adjustment, which is a huge part of why AS can feel confusing or worrying at first. Many men (and their families) struggle with the same thing: diagnosis ramps up anxiety and a sense of “must act now,” Its confirm, your worse nightmare, you do have cancer, but nothing to be overly worried about come back in a year or so for another MRI. No wonder so many low risk patients opt for unnecessary treatment.
The drum beats…
