I rang after two week but no results, worried, please can anyone shed some light on how long results take
I have had a 6cm lateral spreading tum... - My Cancer Community
I have had a 6cm lateral spreading tumour with big villous nodule in distal sigmoid colon removed 31st March... how long for biopsy results
I would call them again and ask for an appointment to see an oncologist. Biopsy results can take a varying range of time to be ready, depending on the stains and processes used. I am afraid it is just a matter of keeping on with them, and also telling them just how much concern this is causing you. If you have no joy then go through the PALS or Patient Complaint system at the hospital as this is part of their job. Even with Easter they should have the results now. If you have no joy then go to your GP and get them to chase it.
It is unforgiveable that they do this. I am off for the results of an MRI scan of my liver to see if my cancer has spread there, as well as my bones. This appeared on a CT scan done exactly three months ago! Even then it took weeks of fighting to get a scan. I have metastatic breast cancer.
ALWAYS follow up on results. Good luck, Vicki xxx
Thank you Vicki. I rang again today only to be told the same thing, "results still pending" and as it's just over 3 weeks I was advised to wait another week. I am going to ring again tomorrow and will do until Friday, if no joy then I will take it up with PALS. Hopefully your results didn't confirm fears you may have had and all the very best to you xx
It's always so much worse waiting on results - once you have them you will deal with it whatever they throw you! In the past, in desperation, I have had to find out who the secretary to the consultant is, ring them letting them know just how worried you are - they will be the best person to chase it for you. In the meantime, if you live anywhere near the Bristol (UK) area, a visit to The Penny Brohn Cancer Centre will be worthwhile, it's a truly amazing place, staff are wonderful and so knowledgeable - well worth a visit. Wishing you well.
I have said I will deal with whatever the results maybe (as if I have any choice in the matter anyway) but the waiting is horrible. I live in the London area. I think maybe your advice on ringing the consultant`s secretary is the way to go as I don't seem to be getting much joy at my GP's. I was beginning to feel as if I was being too pushy but from both responses to my post, it doesn't seem so. Thank you for your help x
This is your life, be as pushy as necessary - I always am, I've had 26 years of this bleep, bleep disease and am so thankful to be here to tell the tale! I completed my last treatment April 2013. People from all over the country attend residential courses as Penny Brohn, (you only pay towards costs of the course if you can afford to, they never approach you for money) the last course I did, there were people from London; Blackpool; Wales and Cornwall as well as Bristol. I was a little frightened to go there at first as didn't want to be surrounded by 'sick' people - they were all up beat, supportive and kind. A book that may be of interest to you is The Survivors Club by Chris Geiger. Keep fighting, it's your right! Wishing you healing, restorative sleep.
I got through to the consultant's secretary and she has put me in for a telephone call back tomorrow and thank you I did sleep better last night. Thanks for your support. Your words, "this is your life, be as pushy as necessary" encourages me and in some way makes me feel it's OK to keep to the point of telephone the secretary every day if need be until I get answers. You said, "you had your last treatment in April '13 do you mind me asking if you need to be on any continuous medication. I am shocked to hear you have been living with your disease for 26 years but so glad you have had your last treatment. Can't wait for the telephone call tomorrow. Thanks again for your support and valued knowledgeable help.
Keep on at them. They should have told you when the results should be ready.
Always chase up results of everything. In Nov 2007 I finally got an oncologist to take an x-ray of my right hip because they weren't listening to me. I was on adjuvant chemo for what they told me was early stage breast cancer. Saw a different oncologist in Dec 2007 and had left the consultation room when I remembered I hadn't asked about the x-ray, but I was sure they would have said something if there was anything wrong ... WRONG. 18 Jan 2008 I saw the oncologist who ordered the x-ray if anything had come from the x-ray and she said it hadn't been reported on. She took one look at it and left the room, then sent me for more x-rays and told me to come back to the clinic. I was not allowed to leave the hospital because a 4" x 2" tumour had caused a pathological fracture of my hip and it was about to collapse. A few days later I had a total hip replacement. I was asked after my mastectomy in Sept 2007 if I had pain anywhere else and I said deep in my groin and my left shoulder. I even told them that as I walked my hip was bowing outwards - they weren't interested because my lymph nodes from the cancerous side were negative for cancer.
NEVER trust a hospital to give you results, ask, push, harass etc because it is your LIFE that depends on these tests. Doctors tend to treat you as a specific illness and will only treat that. They don't look at the whole patient and if something comes up out of their sphere of interest/expertise they won't do anything about it. Sadly sometimes a hissy fit is the only way to get them to listen in my experience.
MRI results not so good as I have multiple metastatic lesions in my liver. There again in Jan 2008 they told me I had 6 months to a year to live, so what the hell do they know. Change of treatment on the way ...
I'm sorry to hear your MRI results are not so good. Love your fighting spirit. I wish you all the very best with the new treatment. Isn't it is so sad when we are not listened to. It is our bodies and most people are very good at picking up on when things are not right. I contacted the consultant's secretary and she has booked a telephone call back for me for tomorrow, fingers crossed he will have the results for me, if not then I have lots of questions as to why not. Thank you for your support it has given me more confidence in asking questions that need answers.
Hoping the telephone consultation went well for you today. Did you got the answers that you needed to move forward in what ever way is required? I wish you well, what ever the outcome.. I am taking Salvestrol (platinum) capsules to boost my immune systems, My Oncologist and NHS Homeopathic specialist are delighted I am doing so.Maybe worth reading up on and checking if it's something that would help you.
Yes thank you got my call back and a hospital appointment via post, talk of playing the waiting game and then an appointment and a telephone consultation all on the same day. Such a relief that the waiting for the results is over. I've been left with a hundred and one questions but basically there are changes and I will need treatment but assured it is not too serious. Apparently the length of time to report was due to staging. I don't fully understand or took it all in for that matter but will know more at my appointment. I have always said, 'it is what it is' For now I am happy that I have the results and I am holding on to the bit of it not being too serious.Thank you for letting me know what medication you are on, I will certainly look it up and I have ordered the book, 'The Survivors Club'. Thank you for the recommendation. Just a thought I'd like to share. All I can think of right now is, I have so much to do before next week I want to sort this out and get that done that I am smiling to myself as I write this... thinking how many more people do the exact same thing and I know this may sound odd but it's comforting to me right now thinking about them!!!
I am truly delighted for you. Try to pace yourself with sorting everything, you don't want to wear yourself out! My mind was all over the place as I'm sure yours will be. I sorted my wardrobe, getting shot of tons of stuff I had hung onto far too long as well as stuff I later regretted not hanging onto. I was manic, afraid to stop for fear of not getting started again, not wanting to leave anything that others might end up sorting for me. I couldn't sleep and took to having a 'stiff' drink before bed. Thank goodness it only lasted a few weeks. Anyway, that is all behind me know, I've just started a 12 week course at the gym, laid on by Bristol University, aimed at cancer survivors. I was back to full time working only 5 weeks after completion of treatment. I'm feeling good and I'm sure you will be too. So glad you've ordered the book, Chris Geiger is an inspirational chap - he gave a talk at Penny Brohn, it was good to meet him. Use any and everything that helps you. Sweet dreams.
Gosh! As I read your reply it was as if you were talking about me, other than it's not my wardrobe I have been sorting out it's paperwork, 'a place for everything and everything in it's place filing system' so that my family can just lay their hands on everything. This is going to be tough on them also, so It gives me a feel good feeling knowing at least some things are being made easier during a more stressful time in all our lives. I too am having that 'stiff drink' before bedtime for now, I don't know that it helps though as it's great to put me to sleep but then I wake up after a couple of hours. It's encouraging to hear you were back to full time so quickly. I still have to inform my boss and work colleagues but loathe to, knowing I must just isn't making it any easier to do so. I suppose if I'm honest with myself it's more a denial thing, if you know what I mean. I'm glad you are feeling so good and it's inspiring to read and that you have started a course at a gym. Wishing you all the very best with it. Roll on next week, right now all I can think about is the sooner I start the treatment the sooner it will be over. I know it isn't as simple as that but it's "my way" and makes coping easier for now. Love your words of 'use any and everything that helps you'