A Waiting Game .........

Hi Christine

I am sorry to hear that a mass was seen during your opticians appointment and can understand how scary it may feel. 

It sounds like things are moving quickly for you and that hopefully your appointment on Tuesday will bring some answers about what may be going on. I remember when I was undergoing testing for my own cancer (endometrial) it all felt a bit of a whirlwind at times but as with you I felt the sooner the better. Once I knew what I was dealing with and what needed to happen , things felt a bit better and more in control. 

I think taking each day as it comes until Tuesday is a good plan but if at any point you feel like talking to someone would help, then please do give the Support Line a call. There is someone there from 8am-8pm daily.

I wish you well for Tuesday and please do let us know how you get on.

Jane

Thank you Jane for your kind message, it's appreciated. And for sharing your own cancer story which I hope has been a positive one.  As I said in my post above, I do want to know the diagnosis/prognosis so I can plan for my future, whatever that may be. As I feel as well as I have always felt, and am continuing to carry on with my life as normal, it all seems a rather surreal at times. And yes, of course, I will let you know the outcome of my appointment on Tuesday.

Wishing you the best for Tuesday

Thanks Jane, appreciated. About to consider all the questions I want to ask and Macmillan site really useful for that!

24th June Update

I saw the Consultant ophthalmologist at my local hospital this morning. Had field test redone, and an OCT scan (think this stands for  Optical Coherence Tomography). He seems to think the problem is related to the retinal tear I had back in 2015/2016. The laser surgery I had to repair the original tear has weakened, and fluid is leaking through and lifting the retina which could cause retinal detachment. This would account for the grey mass pointed out to me at the local opticians. Says chronic, not acute.

However, he can’t definitely rule the latter out and is referring me to Liverpool to a) have surgery on the tear and b) to definitely rule out eye cancer. 

Was clear that he thought the optometrist at my opticians should have considered this a more likely diagnosis, based on my history rather than alarming me talking about a choroid mass. However, looking on the positive side, at least all this has meant I’ve been seen and referred on which might not otherwise have been the case. Every cloud etc etc!

So waiting to hear when I go to Liverpool; depending on what they find, may be a day patient or could keep me in a night or two. Could be in the next week or two. And it is still possible that there may b e two things going on - retinal tear and a cancer mass. So still a waiting game..............

I hope that the Liverpool appointment comes through quickly and that it brings answers. It is hard waiting but hope its not much longer for you. 

Jane

Last week was definitely something of a roller coaster. My appointment at Liverpool came through for the Thursday morning, at which I was told it wasn't choroid cancer, but a detached retina, so that was obviously really good news. Though the appointment was supposedly for a consultation, they kept me in and performed surgery for a detached retina the following day, and I was discharged home late Saturday.  So there's a fair way to go in terms of follow up  and knowing how successful it's been etc. But the good news is it's not cancer which is obviously a huge relief. A big thank you to the Macmillan online community here though for your concern and support, it was really appreciated and helpful. It's terrific to know that there is such a wonderful service available for those diagnosed with any type of cancer. and if I ever have a cancer diagnosis in the future, I shall know just who to turn to. Huge thanks again and please continue such a valuable service. Christine

Hi Christine

What a relief that there wasn't any cancer present.

Am glad the surgery for the detached retina has been done and wish you the best for your recovery.

Jane

Thanks Jane

Christine said:

A big thank you to the Macmillan online community here though for your concern and support, it was really appreciated and helpful. It's terrific to know that there is such a wonderful service available for those diagnosed with any type of cancer. and if I ever have a cancer diagnosis in the future, I shall know just who to turn to. Huge thanks again and please continue such a valuable service. Christine

Hi Christine

I'm Steph from the Community team. 

Thank you for returning to the forums with your update. I am glad that you've had better news and that you found the Online Community to be helpful whilst you went through that anxious waiting period.

We really appreciate you taking the time to share your thanks and feedback about the Community. Please do recommend us to anyone affected by cancer. We are here for everyone, if you're going through tests for cancer, anyone with a cancer diagnosis and their loved ones.

Thank you also to everyone on the Community who has supported Christine. We're only here to support the service, but you are the people who are there for each other, day after day.

Well done everyone, you have made a big difference to Christine at a difficult time!