Follow Up Scan

Hi Sarajazzle  

It’s always an anxious time waiting for scan results so I hope it’s not too long for you.

My hospital did everything face to face, which I preferred, so I never got results-good or bad- over the phone, but it can vary by hospitals. 

When I had my first post treatment scan results I was called in, and the result was NED, but you should continue to have checkups even if the result is NED so I was told about that, and to report any symptoms like pain or bleeding.  I was followed up every three months with a chat about how I was doing, a feel around the lymph nodes in my groin and an internal examination. Other hospitals may have their own protocols. 

I hope everything goes well with your results-I personally don’t think it would be appropriate to be phoned with results, especially at work-as you rightly say it’s an emotional time and I found it better to be sitting with my consultant going through the results and telling me the next steps. I took my partner with me for this appointment, and in fact all my appointments and found that very helpful. All the best! 

Sarah xx

Hi Sarajazzle,

There is so much heightened emotions at this time and especially being the first post treatment scan i found it almost impossible not to feel panic. Those missed calls from the hospital with no voicemail are really difficult, especially at a time when you are desperate for information. I had the same treatment as you although i had a PET CT scan as well as a MRI and some bloods taken as part of the 3 month post treatment follow up tests - i had a date already in the diary (it was booked in for me at the end of treatment) with my consultant to discuss the outcome of all three and where an internal examination was also performed and it came approximately two weeks after id had the relevant scans/bloods taken.

If you don't have a an appointment scheduled it may be that that is what they were attempting to contact you about, my recommendation (and im not sure if there is the same NHS protocol) is too email your consultants secretary (or alternatively telephone your CNS nurse and pose the question to them) advising that you had a missed call, you had your MRI and would like to know when your next appointment will be to discuss the results etc. Over the past 18 months ive found on occasion appointments and tests etc hadn't been booked when they were supposed to so i sometimes had to pose the query and then things were swiftly addressed.

I did have my initial diagnosis of cervical cancer confirmed over the telephone (but this is unusual) as when i had my first appointment with gyna on the two week referral i was told straight away there and then i had cancer as she could see the tumour and was certain it was cancer - the subsequent telephone contact with the biopsy results was confirming what i had already been told.

Hopefully you get an some positive contact soon from the hospital, thinking of you

Hi

o have gone through similar to you and had my first mri after finishing treatment . I had an appointment booked 2 weeks which is today . I was a bit worried as when I had a mri scan halfway through my oncologist phoned me to say how well it was going etc . So waiting 2 weeks my mind was thinking um

why hadn’t he phoned ! So I was thinking it’s going to be bad news etc  . But luckily enough my appointment today showed today that it was looking good and also had examination which I was told was looking good . I was also told that as mri scans are very complexed they have to be scrutinised so tha will take another 3 weeks , this is the norm apparently and just crossing the ts and doting the I . So unfortunately it does take time to get back all the results so please try to stay positive although hard for anyone to tell us that when awaiting results . I’m sure the missed call could be an appointment hopefully . Take care Val 

That sounds like very good news for you Val. Waiting for results is always so stressful but at least you’ve had positive news today.

Sarah xx