Timing for a CT scan?

[KazziB]

I was told on Friday afternoon that I almost undoubtedly have ovarian cancer. I also have a cough which concerns me. I have to have a CT scan to include my chest but this morning I've been told this'll be done in the next two weeks. I said I was fortunate enough to be able to go private if this would speed things up but was told that it probably wouldn't be any quicker. Is two weeks acceptable? I'm so scared that time isn't on my side....

[doodoolatrice]

Oh bless you, I and all of the lovely ladies on this site know exactly how you are feeling right now. How can they be so sure that you have ovarian cancer if you haven't had a scan yet. Have you had a CA125 blood test ? I had my scan about two weeks after seeing the gynaecologist so assume this is standard. Not sure if I would call it an acceptable timescale though. Please share your worries with everyone on this site because these ladies have a wealth of experience in dealing with OC and understand exactly what you are going through, Take care, Kerry xx

[Lily-Anne]

Almost undoubtably? That's not conclusive enough. What was this based on? Please don't worry two weeks is actually quickly, nothing will change enough in that time frame to alter any treatment you MAY need. I found that emergency gynae and private were a similar time frame for scanning and surgery. Two weeks is the maximum time you will wait not the minimum under the two week rule. What tests have you had for the conclusion that you may have OC to be reached?

LA

[Hidden]

Hi, sorry you have this worry, but at least you are having the investigations done.

2 weeks is what is classed as acceptable even when the CT referral is marked urgent. I too was told that having it done privately wouldn't be any quicker.

I too was told I almost certainly had OC before I'd had a CT scan. I was told that it was not a diagnosis as that couldn't be confirmed until I'd had a biopsy. It wasn't possible to do a biopsy before I had TAH as I had too much fluid.

Hopefully yours will come back negative and it's a waste of time me telling you not to worry, that's like asking the tide not to turn.

Best wishes

Chris xx

[wendydee]

Hi! Sorry you have this worry and as Chris said, it's impossible not to worry. 2 weeks is not too bad, it's being dealt with and it looks as if they are taking your concerns seriously. i'm surprised that they've said it's almost certainly OC, when they haven't done all the investigations. They kept hedging their bets when I was diagnosed, right up to to the operation.

I hope it will be less than 2 weeks, but I know how worried you must be. We've all been there.....

Good luck

Love Wendy xx

[Whippit]

Dear Kazzi

I'm so sorry that you're going through this. I remained in blissful ignorance right through the preliminary investigations and only sussed out what was going on during Ovarian Cancer Month in March 2011 when I listened to a radio interview and realised my symptoms probably meant I had Ovarian Cancer so I sort of self-diagnosed with the assistance of Radio 4.

This probably isn't a time to try to cheer you up by being lighthearted - but I'll reinforce what the others have said. Two weeks isn't bad. I paid for a ultra-sound but it was only £125 so worth getting that to start the ball rolling on the diagnostic path. I've a feeling that a CT Scan would be very expensive given the cost of the equipment and staff needed to work it all.

I'm wishing you the best of luck with this. If it helps please keep posting and asking questions. Everyone will be concerned for you and they're all so kind and supportive here on this site it might help the two weeks pass more quickly for you.

Hoping for the best results for you. xx Annie

[sharonforce]

I agree with the other ladies' comments but I did pay privately for an MRI scan to speed things along. I had already had a CT scan and a CA125 on the NHS and knew ovarian cancer was highly likely. The MRI cost about £600 four years ago and although it didn't alter the surgery and treatment I had, psychologically I couldn't wait another two weeks and felt time was so important. I also then paid privately for surgery because I couldn't wait for another two weeks to have it on the NHS. I couldn't really afford it and four years down the line I realise two weeks probably wouldn't have made any difference to the outcome but at the time I thought it was essential for my peace of mind.

Sending you very best wishes

Sharon

xx

[AnnieMae]

I was brutally told I had cancer after being admitted to hospital with severe pain down my left hand side from my waist to my groin. I was at first checked by bowel Doc's who firstly x-rayed me followed by a CT scan which showed a mass on my ovary. I was then passed to gynie and was visited by a doctor who obviously wanted to get home for the Bank Holiday weekend. Despite it being 30 mins to visiting, I was taken into a room with 2 Doc's and a young nurse. No one asked if I had someone coming to visit me (my sister was as it happens). He then said 'You've got cancer' You'll have to have chemo and surgery. He then sent me home for the weekend to discuss it with my family!! Discuss what? he hadn't given us much to discuss!! This was August and I didn't think I would be here for Christmas! The impact of the way he told me devestated my family until I returned to the hospital on the Tuesday and saw another Doc who said they wouldn't know what it was until I'd had a biopsy and that I was not to worry as she would help me get through it. She was wonderful. I knew it was OVC but just having the right person talk to you and reassure you makes all the difference. My Husband and I went home feeling so much better.

Sorry I've gone on, you hit a nerve! It can take weeks to get throught the tests etc but I was reassured that it wouldn't make any difference. It makes such a difference when you deal with Docs who know how to deal with patients. I hope you have such a Doctor and ask about a specialist nurse, they are a godsend.

I am still going through chemo, just 2 left out of 6 and I had surgery in the middle. This site is amazing.

Annette x

[AnnieMae]

I was brutally told I had cancer after being admitted to hospital with severe pain down my left hand side from my waist to my groin. I was at first checked by bowel Doc's who firstly x-rayed me followed by a CT scan which showed a mass on my ovary. I was then passed to gynie and was visited by a doctor who obviously wanted to get home for the Bank Holiday weekend. Despite it being 30 mins to visiting, I was taken into a room with 2 Doc's and a young nurse. No one asked if I had someone coming to visit me (my sister was as it happens). He then said 'You've got cancer' You'll have to have chemo and surgery. He then sent me home for the weekend to discuss it with my family!! Discuss what? he hadn't given us much to discuss!! This was August and I didn't think I would be here for Christmas! The impact of the way he told me devestated my family until I returned to the hospital on the Tuesday and saw another Doc who said they wouldn't know what it was until I'd had a biopsy and that I was not to worry as she would help me get through it. She was wonderful. I knew it was OVC but just having the right person talk to you and reassure you makes all the difference. My Husband and I went home feeling so much better.

Sorry I've gone on, you hit a nerve! It can take weeks to get throught the tests etc but I was reassured that it wouldn't make any difference. It makes such a difference when you deal with Docs who know how to deal with patients. I hope you have such a Doctor and ask about a specialist nurse, they are a godsend.

I am still going through chemo, just 2 left out of 6 and I had surgery in the middle. This site is amazing.

Annette x

[AnnieMae]

I was brutally told I had cancer after being admitted to hospital with severe pain down my left hand side from my waist to my groin. I was at first checked by bowel Doc's who firstly x-rayed me followed by a CT scan which showed a mass on my ovary. I was then passed to gynie and was visited by a doctor who obviously wanted to get home for the Bank Holiday weekend. Despite it being 30 mins to visiting, I was taken into a room with 2 Doc's and a young nurse. No one asked if I had someone coming to visit me (my sister was as it happens). He then said 'You've got cancer' You'll have to have chemo and surgery. He then sent me home for the weekend to discuss it with my family!! Discuss what? he hadn't given us much to discuss!! This was August and I didn't think I would be here for Christmas! The impact of the way he told me devestated my family until I returned to the hospital on the Tuesday and saw another Doc who said they wouldn't know what it was until I'd had a biopsy and that I was not to worry as she would help me get through it. She was wonderful. I knew it was OVC but just having the right person talk to you and reassure you makes all the difference. My Husband and I went home feeling so much better.

Sorry I've gone on, you hit a nerve! It can take weeks to get throught the tests etc but I was reassured that it wouldn't make any difference. It makes such a difference when you deal with Docs who know how to deal with patients. I hope you have such a Doctor and ask about a specialist nurse, they are a godsend.

I am still going through chemo, just 2 left out of 6 and I had surgery in the middle. This site is amazing.

Annette x

[AnnieMae]

Sorry Ladies, my computer wasn't responding but now it's put it on 3 times !!! Ooopps!!

Annette x

[Wiganw]

I can only tell you my experience as we are all different. I had ultrasound showed 10cm lump. I had convinced myself it was OC before scan or pregnant. At 42 was young for OC. The radiographers urgency in ensuring I saw my doctor in two days told me not to hang around. I was referred to specialist in a week. He told me saw 10 cm growth on ultrasound. I was told needed blood test CT and MRI . I asked did he think it was OC and he said yes. I was on my own but not at all shocked I just knew. I asked what wait for scan was it was three weeks, but needed to see specialist nurse who would advice. She was not about that day. I asked about scan privately and was told it woild not quicken things up and not to do anything till spoken to nurse. I asked them to write down what I needed they were not keen. Blood test done

I walked straight out of the hospital drove 200yards to the private hospital next door got prices for scans and when next availability.

Following a lot of phone calls I was in ct scan next day. Nhs helped me through this a lot. Cost £700. Confirmed OC with blood test did not need MRI.

I then saw surgeon a week latter confirmed surgery best option. No bits to stuck. I then luckily got a cancellation and on day I was suppose to have scan on nhs I was having operation.

I wish I had had ultrasound private which would have saved me a month.

I unfortunately have had recurrence but did have stage iii. However I do not regret going private as if I had not I would always have wondered if things could have been different especially as they thought mine was recently invasive.

One warning is make sure you get two copies of scan one for you and one NHS hospital and report.

Hope this helps

Sharon