Playing the waiting game

FormerMember
FormerMember
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Hi, I don't know if this is the place to come but here goes...

Six weeks ago I was admitted to hospital with blood results that were through the roof. I have suffered with gallstones blocking my bile duct for years since having my gallbladder removed, so I cope with the pain pretty well so just thought I was having another episode (which I was) so an ERCP was performed to remove these. However, following further blood tests, ultrasound and MRI, it was discovered I have a lesion on my liver. The doctors weren't sure whether it was an infection or malignant, so was started on a five week course of antibiotics as a biopsy wasn't possible due to the position of the lesion.

Six weeks on, I have finally had my second scan to see if this lesion has either shrunk or gone but I am still playing the waiting game as my consultant is away for the whole of september!

I have many questions going through my head but my main one is, if a cancer diagnosis is made, how long would it take from my scan to be told and would an alternative consultant be assigned to deal with my diagnosis? Ten weeks seems an awful long time to wait in limbo.

Thanks in advance, N x

  • Hi N,

    Waiting is the pits at the best of times, but 10 weeks!

    It usually takes about 10 to 14 days for a radiologist to report on a scan.

    Have u got a follow up appointment with your consultant? If not, then ring his/ her secretary to make one.If s/he's not an oncologist ( cancer specialist) then IF it's cancer you'll need to see another consultant. But take it a stage at a time.

    Have the antibiotics made any difference? If so, it could well be just an infection. Fingers crossed for you.

    Do let us know how you get on and don't forget to make that appointment!

    Fear of the unknown is the worst thing. Once we know what we're facing, we find the strength to deal with it.
  • Hi N,

    Waiting is the pits at the best of times, but 10 weeks!

    It usually takes about 10 to 14 days for a radiologist to report on a scan.

    Have u got a follow up appointment with your consultant? If not, then ring his/ her secretary to make one.If s/he's not an oncologist ( cancer specialist) then IF it's cancer you'll need to see another consultant. But take it a stage at a time.

    Have the antibiotics made any difference? If so, it could well be just an infection. Fingers crossed for you.

    Do let us know how you get on and don't forget to make that appointment!

    Fear of the unknown is the worst thing. Once we know what we're facing, we find the strength to deal with it.
  • Sorry, I got impatient n now it's posted twice lol

    Fear of the unknown is the worst thing. Once we know what we're facing, we find the strength to deal with it.
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to buttercup01

    Hi, thanks for your reply. Yes I do have a follow up appointment at the beginning of October but that will be four weeks from my second scan and 10 weeks altogether which is why I was hoping they may call with an alternative appointment if it wasn't great news!? 

    I didn't really feel ill as such and I do have quite a high pain threshold so didn't actually realise how poorly I was until I was admitted. Which is probably not a great trait to have in these circumstances haha

    Thanks again and I will most certainly be in touch x

  • Hi, you could maybe  see if u can get an earlier appointment?

    I've learned over the years u really have to push for things. Otherwise, ppl will just trundle on in their own time.

    I even had to chase  the chief executive of my NHS trust to get an ultrasound scan in the first place to get myself diagnosed ( with kidney cancer). Once I was on the conveyor belt as it were, it was fine lol

    Fear of the unknown is the worst thing. Once we know what we're facing, we find the strength to deal with it.
  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to buttercup01

    Unfortunately,  my consultant is away all of September so that is the earliest appointment. 

    Would I be referred to another consultant earlier if the results were against me do you know?

  • Yes,u u did say s/ he was away all of of Sept . My bad.

    I honestly don't know. Sorry I can't help further. I suspect you'd have to be referred by your current consultant to an oncologist if need be. Try not to get bogged down by what ifs, tho I know it's much easier to say than do.

    Fear of the unknown is the worst thing. Once we know what we're facing, we find the strength to deal with it.