Biopsy Wait

5 replies
126 subscribers
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Hello all. I’m new to the group.

I write to share an experience and seek some feedback on whether this is normal.

My wife had a colonoscopy and there is concern about a growth being possibly cancerous. They sent a biopsy for urgent review and said it would be 2-3 weeks. A hellish wait ensued. This became 4 weeks then 5. Now over 5 weeks the results are back but don’t know what they are as we are now waiting for the consultant to review them.

This feel like torture! The consultant goes on a 2 week holiday soon. Neither my wife or can can sleep with worry.

Is this normal? Should I be concerned? Should we be complaining?

excavator 23 days ago

Hello James69York,

I’m Derek, one of the Community Champions here on the Online Community. I've seen you haven't had a response to your post yet.

I'm sorry that you're experiencing a long delay causing you and your wife worry and anguish. As well as continuing to chase the appointment up (unfortunately you sometimes need to be politely persistent chasing this) I'd suggest contacting your hospital PALS (Patient Advisory and Liaison Service). Let them know of your wife's issues, the delay in getting the appointment and see if they can get the appointment brought forward for you. You can so this online here:

https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/other-health-services/patient-advice-and-liaison-services-pals/

I hope you make some progress very soon.

Made in 1956. Tested to destruction.

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Macmillan Support Line - 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

James69York 23 days ago in reply to excavator

Thanks for the reply. I was not aware of PALS, we’ll explore that.

We have since had a call from the consultant who advise she has high levels of precancerous cells and needs her colon and rectum removed. They cannot rule out cancer until they operate. The next appt is not until mid Jan and that is not even with the surgeon due to Xmas, holidays and doctor’s strike.
My wife is beside herself with worry as there could be cancer growing. Time is surely of the essence?

Dulac 23 days ago in reply to James69York

Hello James69York,

Don't panic. Click on my name and you will get a sense of timescale for the various stages of treatment for colorectal cancer. This is only my account, but I believe it is fairly typical. So far, so good!

Dulac

James69York 23 days ago in reply to Dulac

Cheers. I’ll have a look.

Elle55a30c 21 days ago

Sorry that your wife and you are going through this - it's a very worrying time for sure. Time scales seem very variable. I had a colonoscopy in July for colon cancer concerns, then again in August, followed by CT, MRI and PET scans in September, then a coloscopy put in in late October, ahead of treatment, then finally met an oncologist in early December and start radiotherapy tomorrow! At every stage I was assured by my colorectal team and The Christie team that they were on it - complex case reviews etc - but it certainly feels like a long wait when you're the one waiting! I hope that things start to move along for your wife soon.