On a scale of it will be fine to totally fucked how bad it this?

[fortifiedwithtea]

I am 55 years old. I have been complaining of pain for years. But 18 months ago the pain suddenly got worse as in more widespread. I felt ill. The doctor did some blood tests. Nothing came of it.

I continued as I was until Davina McCall did that programme on the menopause. That’s me I thought. Had another phone gp call. But the go said he wanted to rule out arthritis before recommending HRT.

I delayed the blood test until I could get a blood test done with my daughter. We both have disability so kill 2 birds with one stone.

Daughter’s gp rang her last Monday, And advised her course of treatment. As thursday I rang for my results confident nothing heard meant negative. Well Who ever I spoke to told me apart from low Vit D and pain markers up no problem. Great I thought have my holiday and arrange for HRT appoints when I get back.

However , today is our first full day of our holiday and I got a call from a gp at our surgery.

Things are definitely not fine. Blood test shows a protein which indicates bone cancer. I may have to fly back early. Its really urgent. Doctor thinks I will need a bone marrow biopsy and bone scans.

Oh fuck!

Aw no tea.

For want of a better term, that is a bit shite.

I get that receptionists get a hard time of it but it isn’t as though you were asking for an appt to get rid of ear wax - not that that is a reason to be abrupt either.

And to say it wasn’t necessary/urgent for you to need the reassurance/explanation and to raise your hopes before the subsequent call? It may just be a muddle to them and it is. To them. Just not to you.

It sucks. And it IS shite. But hold your fire till Friday. You will have more idea of things then.

Waiting is the worst when you’ve already been on pins for a wee while.

Have your tea. Have your fume. And fortify yourself with whatever you need to see you through the next couple of days. Friday will come soon enough.

Sorry today wasn’t quite what you were expecting. Sending positive thoughts and a spiritual bottle of whatever you fancy. 🌻 x

Crikey thats shite! Stay strong! X

Well that process with the receptionist was crap and so unnecessary, sorry you went through that.
I hope the GP tracks down which one it was!

You’re starting to get the beginning of a plan which is good
Blood test at GPs (but not seeing GP this time?).
Wait for Haematology letter system.
Whilst also waiting for Haematology to run the MGUS test - they may get in touch directly from that or through the GP.
Drink tea. (Or stronger if needed)

My uncle was diagnosed with bone cancer. He did really well and lived for a long time (at least ten years, and he was significantly older than you) before the illness took him.

My friends brother had bone cancer when he was young, and has been completely free of cancer for thirty years now.

So even if it is the worst scenario (I sincerely hope it isn't) then it's not over, not by a long way.

@LivingInABuildingSite

You understood correctly. I go to the gp surgery tomorrow have the MGUS test there . Blood test processed at hospital they send result to gp.

Once the gp has the result he will phone me. As I understand it MGUS shouldn’t cause pain. If I have MGUS gp will see me in person and try to find the cause of the pain. If not MGUS gp will pass me back to haematology and they will investigate whether I have cancer.

GP apologised for what the receptionist said to me. I hope he does work out which one it was . I think she made a massive error, took a piece of ‘hot off the press’ information and passed it on without thinking of the implications.

Thinking of you tomorrow fortified.

Hope you manage to get some sleep tonight x

How incredibly stressful. You're on a rollercoaster and I hope it turns out well and you've had this worry for nothing.

I hope the blood test went ok (had lots of people coming for blood tests at the vaccine centre today - multipurpose site - and there were so many admin cockups, hope that didn’t happen to you!).

And that any pain isn’t too bad at the moment.

@LivingInABuildingSite haha wondering if our paths have crossed today. Yes there was misunderstanding. My surgery is a satellite to a much bigger practice. The doctor had booked me in to local surgery at a time too late for the courier.

Got a phone call, could i get to the main site in the morning. The bit I didn’t pick up on was the doctor was going to do the blood test instead of the nurse. I sat where the receptionist told me to sit and waited way past my appointment time. By which time I was in a lot of pain. Lady after me got called first and asked that the nurse see me instead. Very grateful for her kindness.

However nurse told me I hadn’t booked in. I replied that I had. Then she asked was i an earlier patient (same first name) who hadn’t turned up. I repeated no , my name is .... and apt time was ....nurse got really pissed off with me. However she was totally professional , didn't feel the needle at all. At that point the doctor came in , asked my name and told me he had been searching the building for me. So all ended well but there was a misunderstanding.

Argh, that kind of thing seems to happen a lot atm, not sure if people just aren’t connecting the dots or something.

Glad you got your test done in the end, had quite a few patients turned away where I was today, all I could do was empathise as I have nothing to do with the blood test system. But it is frustrating, esp when that test decides your future.

Did have one chap coming for both a blood test and a vaccine, at least he got his vaccine!

Hopefully not a long wait for you now x

Blood test results today. I did not sleep last night.

Sending lots of positive thoughts and strength for you today, whatever the results show

Thinking of you @fortifiedwithtea

Thinking of you today @fortifiedwithtea, will be sending positive vibes as strong as I can muster

Good luck op. Got a friend going through treatment for myeloma at the moment, it’s a tough journey but he’s responding to treatment relatively well.

Only just read the threat. Good luck for today, OP

Hand holding for today's results, hope they don't keep you waiting all day

Oh you poor soul. This is just crap. Have everything crossed for you today 💐

fortified thinking of you today and, if it's okay with you, I'll say a little prayer.

Thinking of you today x

Thinking of you. My husband was recently diagnosed with Myeloma, I know how scary all this is.

Good luck 💐

Good luck.

Good luck, we are all with you hoping for the best.

Keeping everything crossed that you’ll have good news today, op.