Going to hospital for blood tests

I’m approaching similar situation so also interested in replies, thanks. 

I am going for blood tests, CT scan and immunotherapy tomorrow at a London hospital it is a bit daunting.

Waiting to find out how it's going to be handled here. My oncol appointments are going to be by phone and my meds couriered - but the bloods I haven't heard about so will be interested to see what others are experiencing too.

I attended my hospital appointments last Tuesday and Wednesday for treatment I had a ct scan and blood tests also at a London hospital before you entered the hospital you had to be assessed then there was no waiting for blood tests you went in straight away the ct scan they sat everyone in seperate areas it’s very daunting but once your there everything was fine the staff wore masks they take every precaution to keep you safe I think in these situations it’s only natural to be anxious

good luck

Thank you Dolly55 that was really helpful. I am in the hospital now and it is quiet at the moment. Good luck to you for the future.

And to you Lynsired

Hi ,

I have a blood test followed by a consultation every six weeks and every twelve weeks have a CT scan as well.  The hospital where I attend is 30 miles away from where I live.

It has been arranged that my six weekly consultation will be done over the phone and my bloods will be taken at my GP's a couple of days before (I have already booked the appointment and am just waiting for the blood test sheet/envelope to arrive).  My GP has procedures in place so that you are not hanging about in waiting rooms for a long time with others.   Assuming all is OK my medication will be couriered directly to my home address.

On my twelve weekly appointment the research nurse is trying to arrange it so that my CT scan, blood test and consultation are on the same day at the hospital.  I  will have a brief consultation but as the results will not yet be known yet it will only be to discuss any side effects and my general health.  I am not quite sure what the procedures are at the hospital yet to minimise risk but I am sure I will be advised nearer the time.  Presuming all is OK they will then be seeking authorisation to give me twelve weeks worth of medication.  They are not planning another face to face consultation until the next twelve week scan when they will discuss my previous CT scan.  That bit I am not so happy with and will be asking that they send me copies of the blood test results and scan reports and if there is anything I cannot understand I can e mail or telephone for clarification.

I am on a trial so they have to request authorisation to make any deviations from the trial protocols but the research nurses have been very good at liaising with me about how we are going to manage this.  This has given me the opportunity to have my input into the process as well but it has all been done this way in an effort to reduce the risks as much as possible.

I think that it will vary depending upon the local situation.  I had alternatives for my blood tests as I live in a rural area it is not uncommon for blood test to be taken locally and sent to one of the hospitals (York or Scarborough depending upon where your treatment is) for analysis.

I am now seen at Castle Hill hospital, near Hull, and as my care has only just been transferred there I am unsure how they will set things up but know that they are trying to keep my visit time to a minimum and will presumably do the same regarding the number of people I have to come into contact with.  The biggest issue might be that I will be required to drink the contrast over a period of an hour prior to my scan which I usually do in a crowded waiting area.  Presumably we will all have to go to different areas now.

All the best to you and your dad,

Gragon x

I was able to get mine done at the GP. I hope your dad gets something sorted.

The community nurse came to do mine yesterday. He'd forgotten the tourniquet and had to do a 16 mile round trip to get one!

Seriously?? That’s mental. I reckon he fancied the car ride.