Scan results taking longer!

I’m sorry to read this. Yes, it is mental torture. I am awaiting a test result at the moment, and am finding it very hard to relax. Today I gave my lounge a spring clean and moved furniture around just to distract me. I don’t know about scan results being longer than usual. Friends who I know who are having them seem to be hearing ok. However, pathology results post surgery, have been delayed for some of them. I seem to remember that May - August was a tricky time with so many people on annual leave at one time or another, especially during school holidays (we had one last week). I think May might have been affected by the numerous bank holidays this time. But perhaps I’m wrong. I hope you hear this week xx

Thank you for your lovely reply Cloudier - my first community contact .

I'm sure you're right that half term, bank holiday's etc all play a part in the delays. 

I am definitely not a control freak but I hate being completely out of control of everything that happens at the hospital. I feel like shouting 'IT'S MY BODY, IT'S MY LIFE' I need to know now!

Isn't it amazing what we do and how much of it we do while we are waiting? So much adrenaline inside us that, if we stop, it comes raging out in the form of anxiety or tears or ...! Lots of walking and gardening  cleaning and any distraction work for me.

Thanks Cloudier and I hope your results come through soon and they are as good as possible xx

Thank you. They came through today. . I have this test every three months, and this one was the longest wait. In my case, I think that communication was delayed by the half term holiday. 

Sometimes you have to up the pressure, so it may be time to go in and talk to them in person. 

Unfortunately I have had to do this myself on occasion (last time just this morning.) With one exception, I always keep my voice down, and without exception, I always keep my language clean, but, when the situation demands it, I speak very clearly, directly, and in detail. 

It may also be time to log in a complaint; it's unacceptable that 8 weeks from reporting symptoms you still have no data.

Pleased yours came through today and I hope the smiley face means good news, or at least, not bad! Xx

Hi GreyCats and thanks so much for your message.

I did up the pressure today when I went in to get my palbo. I called into radiography and politely asked them what was causing the delay. Apparently my head scan report had been sent through to the oncology unit on 16th May! My body scan hadn't been read yet, for which they apologised and said they would chase up.

I went to oncology and told them, calmly, what I had been told and that I was extremely angry, frustrated and would like my results and answers to the mess up.

I received a call this evening from my breast nurse to say my oncologist would call me tomorrow with the results.

Unfortunately, although many individuals in my hospital are very kind, caring and good at what they do, over-all it is failing very badly and I know I am not the only one experiencing these delays and errors. It's very sad and very worrying. I'm lucky that I still have the energy and tenacity to advocate for myself.

Really appreciate your words.

Well done, and a big hug for standing up for yourself, although I realise that you were almost forced to do this for your sanity and healthcare. If you feel up to it, please keep in touch with us , either on open forum or privately. Thinking of you tomorrow x

So they have had the head scan results for nearly three weeks now, wow.

When the oncologist calls tomorrow, I'd be interested in his answer to, "Was the report read when it arrived or was it sitting and waiting until the other report comes in?" If the answer is that the report was not read, I would want to know why not, especially considering the urgency. If the report was read, then I would want to know why you were not told the results. 

A formal complaint may not help much in the current situation, but it may very well keep them on their toes in the future.

I hope it turns out there are no mets in the brain, in which case they should investigate further to find out the cause of the symptoms -- anything to do with the current medications or something that is completely unrelated to cancer.