8 weeks waiting list for a ct scan

[Julie2233]

I was supposed to have my 3 month scan in January. Oncologist requested it at the end of January. Today I queried why I hadn’t had an appointment and was told that the hospital has an 8 week waiting list for ct scans so I may get one at the end of March or beginning of April. Was told not to worry.

[Hidden]

Hi Julie,

Have you had this happen before? I'm sure that if you were told not to worry then you are doing well. But if you are concerned, could you ask to have a CT scan in another hospital? I've been seen and treated in four different hospitals since my diagnosis last year.

I hope you get an appointment soon.

Sophie ❤

[Julie2233 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Sophie, i’m trying not to worry and keep thinking that if the oncologist was concerned he’d be taking action.

I moved from my last nhs hospital because I kept getting forgotten and the final straw came when they forgot to assign me to a new oncologist when mine went on maternity leave.

I was told that I could go privately if I was worried and didn’t want to wait. I’m not sure what to do.

[Hidden in reply to Julie2233]

Morning Julie,

When doctors and nurses say not to worry, I sometimes think "it's easy for you to say" as they don't have cancer. But I have come to read the signs and if there is no sense of urgency I feel more confident. On the occasions I have been called from the hospital and told to come in immediately then I knew things were serious.

It is unacceptable how you were treated at your last hospital. How could they forget to assign you a new oncologist when yours went on maternity leave? I don't blame you for moving hospitals.

I have on occasion been quite pushy and proactive when I have felt the need to do so. I would rather do that and get answers than be left worrying. If you're unsure of what to do I would suggest looking over your most recent pathology and radiology results (my oncologist won't give them to me; my GP prints them off and hands them to me). I would look to see how you are getting on. Is your condition stable? Are you responding to treatment? How do you feel physically? If something does not look or feel right then I would try to get an earlier appointment, even if that means going private.

Take care,

Sophie ❤

[Julie2233 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you that is exactly what I needed to hear. You are absolutely right. I have some new pains but isn't unusual for my body and I still feel well. Because I've been lost in the system so often, I don't really trust it anymore and that makes me anxious when things don't happen as I'm told they will. If the consultant had told me that it would be a 6 month scan I would have been perfectly happy to wait.

Thank you I feel a lot happier now 🙂❤️

[Hidden in reply to Julie2233]

I don't blame you for feeling mistrustful of the system after what you have been through, Julie. Hopefully the eight-week wait will actually be a lot quicker and you can be seen sooner than that. But I agree with you that if you had just been told to begin with that you would have to wait six months for the next scan then there would be no cause for alarm.

Sophie

[Barbteeth]

Hi Julie

I think that’s unacceptable when your oncologist has requested a scan in January

As Sophie said..see if another hospital can accommodate you or pay private..I’m fortunate to have private insurance but sometimes that’s like getting blood out of a stone..however the scan appointments are speedy so I would actually pay just for peace of mind..but that’s me!!

Barb xx

[Julie2233 in reply to Barbteeth]

Hi Barb, yes I had private health care till last November and it did make life a lot easier.

After an awful month on letrazole at least I'm back on faslodex now. Letrazole didn't suit me and made me feel very low. The oncologist said it was a common side effect but hadn't warned me.

I think I will ring again on Monday to see if a date for the scan has been allocated yet, i know I will feel happier if I know when it will be done. If not I'll ring the private hospital and get an appointment, it's not that expensive. I've been coughing since mid November and the gp said he could hear fluid. The oncologist wasn't concerned but it is at the back of my mind, my blood results were good again so hopefully it isn't anything.

[Barbteeth in reply to Julie2233]

Definitely ring the private hospital just to feel better that you’re getting checked

There’s probably nothing to worry about but it’s the not knowing!!

Barb xx

[Klamato]

Where do you live? I NEVER have to wait for a CAT scan or PET scan. Curious about your health insurance system?

[Julie2233]

I'm in the uk and it's a NHS hospital. But I've never had such a long wait before.