Hi everyone, I'm 51, I was referred for the 2ww colonoscopy after I had some bowel changes, bloating and blood. I also had a positive fit test. >300. I had the colonoscopy with gas and air but it was so painful, they had to stop and eventually I was sedated. They found 2x areas of diverticulitis and a 1cm sessile poly and took 3 biopsies. I hadn't heard any results but 10 days later I received a call from my local hospitals ct department, advising me that I needed an emergency scan and 10 mins later a all to book an MRI. I managed to get the number for the secretary and she was shocked at the speed as she hadn't even typed up my letter. Which said the biopsies showed some potentially concerning changes but it wasn't clear how significant it was.
Fast forward to today 10 days after my scans and I rang the collorectal team last week and they said I was on a wait list for the MDT which maybe discussing me at their meeting last thursday.
I guess what I would like to know is has anyone been in a similar situation, not really clear about what the term significant changes may mean.
And if the MDT team met last Thursday what is the normal wait time to hear any news? I was advised the meetings are once a week so if I wasnt discussed last thursday it would be next. The waiting is very hard, and I have been in a lot of pain since the colonoscopy and generally felt really unwell. Thanks for reading this.
Hi Butts and a warm welcome to the board. Yes the waiting for news is very stressful and I seem to remember getting an appointment to meet with the consultant quite quickly after the MDT. If you have the Secretarys number you could maybe ring and see if there’s an appointment on the way to you?
Im not sure what the term significant changes would cover but maybe you could give your GP a ring and explain that you’re not feeling too good and also ask if they have more information?
If you need to talk to someone about how you’re feeling then the support desk is open 7 days a week from 8-8 and they’re happy to chat and listen
Hi Karen, thanks for your reply. I dont want to ring and be a nuisance. I know how incredibly busy they must be. Hopefully I will hear something today and maybe I will give them a call later if not.
Hi Buffs, I heard the next day after the MDT meeting, my McMillan nurse rang me so I think you should have heard by now, ring them or your McMillan nurse, good luck with everything.
I'm in a similar situation. Carcinoma found during colonoscopy, CT scan/bloods a few days later to follow up, recommended to go to another hospital for probable operation, waiting to hear if the MDT there has met at all, or if it will be another week. It's not clear if the urgency is just good practice or signifies seriousness.
It is a bit frustrating to have this uncertainty, but I try to take each day at a time and remember that at the moment, no-one knows what the long term implications are for me. In the meantime I try get exercise and eat well. Mindfulness is helpful with this period (in particular the Coping with Cancer section of Headspace).
I think that (a) the after effects of the colonoscopy and (b) heightened awareness of what's going on down there (even normal indegestion) will understandably increase anxiety.
