more worried about the scans than the operation

Hi Sandra,

I'm sorry that this post is late & that you will already have had your op - I hope it all went well & you are now on the road to recovery.

I have only been popping in & out of the site lately due to other commitments so I haven't followed your blogs until now & I notice that you are under the care of St James & the LGI & that you have had problems with the scan dates & worry.

I too am under the same hospitals & I had my surgery for a groin dissection in August 2009. I assume you are under Mr Peach? I had the same upset with my pre-op scan which was very upsetting. I was diagnosed the day before I was going on a 3 week holiday & I was told to go on holiday & it would all be arranged for my return. My parents had to make many phone calls to the hospital in response to scan & surgery dates that came through for whilst I was away even though they knew I was abroad! When I got home I rang Mr Peach's secretary on the Monday to be told I was going in for surgery at the LGI the next day - except my pre-surgery scan was booked for 3 days later at St James! She rang back & said the surgery was re-arranged for the Thursday & the scan would be at the LGI at 8am the same morning.

When I turned up the snotty admin clerk knew nothing about the arrangement & accused me of getting it all wrong! After an arguement & her making phone calls she found that she was wrong & made a grovelling apology but blamed another member of staff! Not a good start to what was going to be a journey into the unknown!

Once admitted I kept asking if they had my scan results - no one could tell me right up to me going into theatre the next day! I eventually found out the day after surgery when, in passing, the surgeon told me they were clear. Nice of him to tell me!

So I can completely understand where your worry & stress is coming from. I was more worried about the scan result than the surgery which was a doddle compared to the stress. Since that time, whenever I have scan results coming up (twice since the op) I have thought I've been coping well but unconsciously been suffering from stress as it makes me suffer terrible sustained aches & pains in my neck & head. The scans have confirmed alls clear & that I am prone to stress in that area. So that is possibly what you are suffering without realising it.

I wish you all the best with your treatment Sandra & please let me know what your experience was like under the LGI & the team. When it comes to you being discharged & going back to the dressings clinic you will be treated well - if you get Peter the male nurse he will have you in stitches (forgive the pun)!

Love Angie xx

Hi All

Thank you for all your comments  and Angie it will be interesting to compare notes and see if our experiences can be improved.

My scans were clear too and I only found out by a comment by my specialist . My problems with them did'.t stop there  though2 days after my operation there was a telephone call at home for me, my husband had to tell them was in hospital and they rang me there the next day they wanted to arrange a date for a P.E.T.scan and asked me several questions one of which being had I had any surgery in the last 3 months can you believe it? Well yes I guess you can.

They said they would get back to me.  but so far I don't know even who or when it was ordered. for all I know I should have had that before my operation I was too fragile at the time due to a complication of my operation but you can be sure I will be asking and if not getting a good explanation. complaining about the lack of co-operation between hospitals

Hi Sandra,

Glad to hear you are back home now, albeit after a traumatic time by the sound of it. Its good that your scan results were clear although the way you found that out seems par for the course there. Sorry you have had a complication to the surgery, I hope it can be resolved quickly & you can get on with your recovery.

As for the PET scan - I'm mystified as to why you were sent for one because neither myself, Marsha or many other melanoma sufferers on this site have had them - I don't think they are done as the norm in the UK for melanoma but are done in some other countries. I'm wondering if a cock up has been made & your details have been sent through to the 2 different scan departments when a CT scan was the only one that was required? You can find out what's going on by contacting your consultant's secretary. If you are under Mr Peach his secretary Michelle is a diamond & she will chase it up & find out if it is a mistake or, if not, what is supposed to happen now. Her number is 0113 3922942. If you are under one of Mr Peach's staff I have a list of their numbers if you haven't gone them. At least it may put your mind at rest on that score & then you can get on with your recovery with one less problem to stress about.

If I can be of any help just drop me a private message & I will try my best! Take care & take it easy, lots of love Angie xx

thanks A ngie

The P.E.T.scan was not a mistake apparently due to the fact I  have been under two surgeons my case went to the multi discipline team and it was there decision that a P.E.T. scan was needed thank you for all your help

Sandra xx