Fuck - this means they suspect cancer doesn't it?

[vipersnest1]

I went for an appointment at 'the bum clinic' on Tuesday. I was told I need further tests and they would take weeks.
I've had a call today to say I've been referred for an urgent flexible sigmoidoscopy and have an appointment on Monday.
I know it could just be to rule it out, but it's the 'urgent' part of it that has thrown me.

I wouldn't let 'urgent' bother you too much. I know it sounds worrying.

There are two pathways for referral on the NHS and they are 'urgent' or 'routine'. At the moment people are waiting months on end for the routine appointments so anything that is more time-sensitive than waiting a year gets put through as 'urgent'.

Shame it's not sooner but I guess that's good in the current state of the nhs

Waiting is horrible but hopefully your mind is a little eased that they didn't see anything obvious.

Thank you @INeedNewShoes, @IncessantNameChanger and @MarshaMelrose for trying to reassure me. I appreciate it.

I do understand the difference between urgent and routine (and I have other appointments which I've waited months for, one of which is neurology, to establish why I've got pain, numbness, tingling and the sensation of burning in different parts of my body - this particular one has a wait of at least six months here).

As for the not seeing anything obvious (sorry), my mind is focused on two things:

1. They haven't been able to rule out that there is a problem there.

2. I have to go through the procedure again, I know it will likely hurt terribly and sedation might not cut it for me, due to the reasons I have already given - if I have to, I will shout that they need to give me an anaesthetic.

Meanwhile, I was up and about before 7am the next day, and sent, not exactly a complaint, but my experience, and saying why other patients should not have to go through what I did, along with a reference to a study that says women who've had a hysterectomy or any other condition that may cause adhesions will experience moderate or severe discomfort (for that read pain). I've received nothing except an automated response. I've never done this before, not even when I supposedly had an ERPOC, where ultimately I went on to deliver the foetus at home after a MMC, or when DC2 had appendicitis but was sent home with a presumed urine infection, but we went back to the hospital the next day and they were prioritised for their operation.

It's not in my nature to make a fuss, but I feel I need to here.
I used the word barbaric in my email to PALS - it was. No-one spoke to me, except when a nurse gave me the gas and air (after I had to ask for it) and told me to slow my breathing down and briefly rubbed me on the shoulder.

It's something that I will not forget easily. I am dreading doing it again TBH.

I know that I don't have a massive tumour in my rectum or descending colon, as that would have been seen.
Other than that, I still don't know what's going on, and I'm really kicking myself for knowing that there was something wrong for around five years, but I only took action on it when I'd discussed it with DC1 and they told me how ridiculous it was to put up with it.

I have to accept the consequences of that now, and know that I may well not have cancer, but the chance is there. That is something that I am trying to put to the back of my mind, but it's not easy.

Sedation can be gradually upped until you are relaxed and, if need be, pretty much unaware of what's going on. I recently had surgery under sedation and was pretty much asleep throughout.

Receiving a response to your complaint is something that will take quite a while I'd have thought.

I do understand that it can be traumatic. I had a full colonoscopy with no sedation and with no gas & air because earlier in Covid it wasn't offered due to aerosols. It was excruciatingly painful and hideous and I will never ever repeat a colonoscopy without sedation, even though organising the logistics to work around being sedated is a pain.

I'd contact the endoscopy team early next week and request to make a plan for your next investigation. They want you to be able to get through it too so should be open to offering whatever they can to make it possible for you.

Lastly, stop berating yourself for leaving it so long. It is well known that many many people take a very long time to see their GP with problems of this sort. I'm in the midst of trying to persuade a friend to see her GP about her symptoms. She's terrified. The important thing is that you did go eventually and you are going through the process of getting things sorted.

@INeedNewShoes, I've just tried (and failed) to send you a response twice.
I'll have another go in the morning, but thank you so much for your support,

@INeedNewShoes, thanks for your advice and apologies for taking so long to reply!
Part of the reason I left it so long was that I thought it was because my rectocele repair had broken down and I didn't fancy the op again, plus the fact that I always seem to have something or other going on which meant I prioritised that rather than me.
It's a good idea to phone in advance - I'll do that.

DM knows now - she phoned me this afternoon and asked me straight out if there was something wrong. I told her so of course she's now worrying and feeling bad that she can't help. She even said she wished she was still driving so she could help. (There's no way I'd let her near my car in here current health!)

I don't know exactly what you're having but prior to an operation my mum had to have an endoscopy and then they turned her round and did a colonoscopy. All together. She was sedated and allowed to leave hospital within the hour - obviously with a driver. The sedation worked so well, she wouldn't believe them that she'd had the colonoscopy done at all. She was sure they were lying to her and making her results up! Lol. So I hope this reassures you that under sedation it will be painless.

@MarshaMelrose, I'm having a flexible sigmoidoscopy. I appreciate the reply and I'm hoping you're right, but suspect that even with sedation I will still feel it and may well have pain, given that gas and air didn't make any difference for me (and I know DC1 who has been diagnosed with Crohns had sedation and still found a colonoscopy very painful. Admittedly their whole gut was sore).
I suspect I have much more scar tissue than I know about due to the endometriosis, plus at the time I was diagnosed with endo the surgeon commented that I had fibrous bands (not removed). I also have scar tissue from hysterectomy, cystocele repair and rectocele repair.
I'm honestly dreading it, but also know I need the answers. As I said in my letter to PALS, it's not something anyone undertakes lightly.

Well, I was right, the sedation didn't do enough, but fentanyl on top made it manageable on the 'corners'.
And I don't have cancer.... (Cheers loudly in the corner even if she's the only one - I know how annoying it is when a poster doesn't update.)

Of course you are worried. So would I be in your position. But look at it this way. If they told you there was a waiting list of six weeks for the test you'd be worried for much longer.
This way, if it's all clear you'll be released from the worry much sooner. And if it is something more serious it'll be treated much sooner.

Good luck!

That’s lovely; especially when you wake up tomorrow and remember that you don’t need to worry.

Sorry, I missed your update! Congratulations!

Hurrah! Hope you can relax and have some worry free time.

Excellent news OP

I’ve been referred to the ‘urgent’ appointments twice!

both suspected cancer. One breast one bowel.

both times cancer free :) they just have to rule it out. Any symptom is a fast track for an appointment.

please try not to panic

just read the update!

really pleased for you!

both colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy absolutely killed me!!

Great news OP, so happy for you.

Good news OP what a relief

YAY!!!

So pleased for you @vipersnest1 Have a wonderfully relieved weekend.

Such good news

🥳 A few good night's sleeps for you. Well done getting through it.
I had the same thing and they tried to ram it round the last corner. I'm pretty tough but even I had to call time, three attempts and you're out! So I hear what you're saying.

Wow! So many posts - and all celebrating with me. Thank you everyone. I'm truly grateful.

So glad to hear this @vipersnest1 !