I’m nearly 65, divorced female, 2 gorgeous grown up kids and 4 adorable grandkids and a 93 year old mum. We are a really close family but I live alone (and enjoy the peace and quiet) I work part time but have been working from home during the pandemic.
in May I noticed some blood in my pee and phoned the doctor which started the roller coaster. Can’t believe how well the NHS treated me and what a slick well organised system they had during Covid. So first they thought I probably had a kidney stone but a cystoscopy showed a tiny lesion in my bladder but it sat on top of a swelling at the orifice from my ureter to my bladder. I was swiftly booked in for a TURBT, where they discovered that the tiny lesion was just the tip of the iceberg. The surgeon found a solid lump inside the orifice and cleared as much as he could, but couldn’t see into the ureter and as a result my kidney is still not draining properly although it’s causing me no pain.
it was then explained to me, really clearly, that I would definitely need more treatment, either an op or radiotherapy and as soon as the histology was back they would have a team meeting to discuss a treatment plan and I would be informed of everything when I met with the consultant. After the TURBT the surgeon did say that the lump was very likely to be cancerous so I have been preparing myself for the worst.
the process was clearly explained to me by the nurse. When the results come back, they’ll be a team meeting on the following Friday and they would ring me on Friday afternoon with a date for the consultation. I was warned it could take 4-5 weeks. This was 2 weeks ago.
today I had a letter from the hospital with a consultant appointment for 22nd July. No promised phone call but a letter was fine by me.
In the same post today I had a letter from my GP surgery. It was a standard letter. ‘We are sorry to hear that you’ve recently been diagnosed with cancer … here are some useful links’.
so that was how I heard the news. Not as expected and planned, sat in the consultants office with my daughter by my side. Just a bog standard letter from the GP surgery. I was dumbfounded and angry and rang the surgery to receive an apology and to be told a GP would ring me shortly. He rang and said that the hospital had sent them the histology report but stated that they hadn’t met yet to discuss the treatment plan. The GP told me that they assumed the hospital had informed me of the result. Surely no one gets such news in a phone call or a standard letter. I am so angry and still in shock and I’m on my own. Obviously I’ve told my kids and they are really supportive but should anyone receive such devastating news alone, even if they are half expecting it? That’s my vent for the day.
Hello Stritty and welcome to the group, although sorry to hear your diagnosis. I'm sure you will get lots of support and advice here as you go forward. This is certainly not the usual way to find out you have cancer and must have caused a lot of distress. Things are not quite normal at the moment because of covid and there are more phone consultations than face to face. I'm not sure if your GP letter mentioned the exact diagnosis, but you will find out when you see your consultant. GPs rarely get involved in this way. The MDT (multi disciplinary team) which comprises of medics from different departments will get together and discuss your case and come up with a treatment plan. When you find out the exact stage and grading and treatment plan, someone here will have experience to share. Always someone here to talk in the meantime. Best wishes.
Hi Stritty. Just bear in mind, many of us and our families have been through this, some more advanced than others, and we are still here. Best wishes.
