Hi this might be a long post but I don't know where else to turn.
My dad was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma 2 years ago. He has had a total of 5 removals in that time. He had a biopsy in February on his nose which came back saying it was SCC, he still hasn't had a removal and the appointment isn't until June.
At the end of February he noticed what he thought was a hernia in his groin. He went to the doctors who referred him for a ultrasound (waited 6 days for the scan) told at the scan it was in fact a lymph node not a hernia and he would need bloods (to check for infection) and possibly a CT scan. The doctor phoned the next day and said he would be having an urgent CT scan (waited 8days for scan). Doctor phoned 4 days after the scan and said the results of the CT scan undeclared he needed to be referred to somewhere else on 2WW. We found out today that he was referred to haematology 2WW, they said he was referred on the 28th March and would receive a telephone appointment by the 11th April. They will not tell us anything I have both the haematology line and the GP they will not say what the CT indicated what the next steps will be.
in the letter that arrived today there was a lot of information from Cancer Research Uk, with questions we may want to ask and advice about taking someone with you to the appointment ect.
I don't understand this process of 2WW we have waited 33 days from the day my dad went to the GP with the lump. And still we have no answers. I thought it was 2WW from GP app to seeing a specialist but even with this latest referral we still need to have a telephone appointment with someone who isn't a specialist or consultant before we get to See a consultant. It doesn't make sense to me.
I know the risks of SCC spreading is rare but it does exist or could it be a different cancer all together? I don't know all I know is I'm going out of my mind with worry. My dad also has had chest infection after chest infection plus bronchitis on and off since November. Trying to get the GP's to take that seriously has been awful too.
I don't know what my question is if there even is a question in all this. I just need to talk to someone I think, it's a lonely place in the world of 2WW. Thank you for taking the time read my post
Hi NLH84 and welcome to the Online Community but so sorry to hear about your dad and the journey you are all on.
The Referral Guidelines are complicated and are not the same for every cancer type...... and we now find that the pressures on the system is just slowing things down.
Having been a Haematology patients for over 23 years I suspect that his Hematology referral points to a blood condition of some type..... and they won't say anything over the phone as most likely this is going to have to be investigated further to get a clear diagnosis as there are many types of blood conditions.
The information from Cancer Research Uk, was it specifically about blood cancer?
It is a frustrating time for you all but let's look for answers to come along soon.... but happy to chat more on this thread ((hugs))
Hi.... yes this is so hard for you but hang in there the truth will be found.
Logically you would think that a simple blood test would rule out/rule in blood cancers but unfortunately for some types of blood cancers like Lymphomas this is just not the case.
Like many people I talk with..... in all my 23 years I have never had on blood test that would have lit up a sign that said 'Lymphoma'...... the main diagnosis tools are the pathology results from a biopsy and CT/PET scans
THIS LINK simply explains the different types of blood cancers ((hugs))
Unfortunately for various reasons things are just taking longer at the moment. The 11th is not that far away but there is nothing wrong with calling the Heamatology Unit to see if there are any appointment cancellations.
