Totally confused, appendix issue, no answers.

Hi sorry you are experiencing this it sounds hellish! It seems so odd the consultant would mention an operation without telling you what it's for in more detail. Unless there won't be a confirmed diagnosis until post MDT? But it's a horrible position for you to be left in.

Do you have contact details for the consultant's secretary? I think I would try and get in touch to raise my anxieties and questions.

Sending a hug and best wishes xx

Hi Baabaa1 I can totally understand how you’re feeling - things seem to be racing along don’t they? Presumably you’ll have to go in for a pre- op so you can hopefully get some answers then. In the meantime do you have the NHS app or an app with your GP where you can see if they’ve had any correspondence? You could also try ringing your GP to see what information they have. Failing that you could ring your hospital and ask to be put through to the Colorectal Team or the Support Nurses. Did a number come up on your phone when they rang you?

Hope you manage to get some answers

Take care

Karen x

Thank you both for your fast replies, I've tried ringing the secretary, she just says she's not allowed to tell me anything.

It seems a very much a short notice hospital, for example I had 14 hours notice of the chest CT scan, so maybe they will ring me at short notice for an appointment. 

It's just mad, I don't even know which operation I'm having even and yet I have agreed to a date.

It is a bit mad I really feel for you. It doesn't seem fair to leave you hanging like this. I really hope you get a call today to give you more information and sort out pre op stuff xx

I’m not surprised you are feeling confused. Our hospital wanted OH to start radiotherapy within a week but he pushed back because he needed time to process what his diagnosis was. Being scheduled for an op without a full conversation and diagnosis would be a no for me. Staying in some type of control is key in dealing with diagnosis. Don’t be rushed without a full explanation of what why how and end result they expect.  This of course is just my opinion but felt compelled to reply . 

Good luck xx

Bella

I think you're right, shock and worry made me say yes to it.

I'm going to ring the secretary and demand someone gives me some explanation. I understand they're busy, but surely it'd only need a short time to explain what they suspect at least, if they can't yet give a full diagnosis.

I have a bit of an update,

I kind of lost it a tad on the phone to the hospital,  I'm embarrassed to say, when they told me yet again they couldn't tell me anything.  All my stress and worry came pouring out, I did apologise after, but I feel terrible. 

Anyway, she went away and then came back saying I am going to be booked in for a 10 minute consultation before the op, so I'm feeling a tad better now, as I'm thinking a 10 minute appointment must mean it's less serious maybe?

So I'm supposing that it will take place after the MDT meeting, but it's not leaving long before the operation date!

Thank you all for the support. 

Hi Baabaa1 

Can I just add that no operation is carried out unless you have signed a consent form. You can only give informed consent if you know what the operation is, why it’s being done, and what the potential risks are, so all this will be explained to you before any type of surgery goes ahead. 

Sarah xx

Ah right, thanks for that, so they are going to need to explain to me

Absolutely they are!

I’ve had 4 pre assessments but they were done in a clinic specifically only carrying the assessments out, so I wasn’t able to ask questions about any of the ops I was having.

However, all of my surgeries required my consent to take place, and I met with my consultant(s) in each case to have the op explained. When I went in for surgery (although obviously the medical staff knew what it was for and that I had signed my consent forms) I  had to be able to confirm to them what my operation was called and why it was being done so it was clear I knew what was going on. 

Sarah xx