Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Gynaecology oncology tests and afraid

51 replies

Stella123456 · 22/05/2023 22:00

I have been referred to gynae oncology as an urgent referral. My appointment is tomorrow. I have been counting down the days as I am stuck in bed most of the time.

I am having a biopsy and a scan tomorrow.

I feel the shock and trauma of my illness is a heavy load for myself and for my family.
I fainted on the school run today.
i am afraid of the procedure because I know it will be painful. I hope they will give me Valium but I’m afraid that they will not.

please can anyone support me?

OP posts:
ArabeIIaScott · 22/05/2023 22:46

Handhold here for you, OP.

bluedomino · 22/05/2023 23:01

Do you have an oncology nurse contact yet? If not try Macmillan, they offer really good support and advice. They have chat rooms and some drop in centres in towns. You don't need a definite diagnosis of cancer to approach them, just being investigated is enough.

Surely being seen and treated will be better than all day in bed and fainting? You will be amazed at the strength you find to deal with whatever comes. At least you are in system and someone is trying to find out what's wrong with you. You have family around and they will want you to stay around.

I'm in the same boat, but maybe a bit further on ...operated on and awaiting results and next plans before further ops. I'm trying to think, one day at a time and that I can't change what is coming so I must deal with it and be strong for my family.

It's OK to be frightened or scared, everyone is. Just try to share some of the load. Good luck.

Original poster
Stella123456 · 23/05/2023 05:13

@bluedomino I’m so sorry you’re going through this.
thank you for the advice. I’m taking a day at a time definitely.
i didn’t know i could contact McMillan
i haven’t been helped much at all so hopefully that might get better today when at least I will be seen

@ArabeIIaScott thank you I need it

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

General health Women's health
Batalax · 23/05/2023 06:33

I had a deep cervical biopsy. It wasn’t too bad if that helps? I don’t remember it as particularly painful.

I had cervical cancer. I’m ok now but I do remember how scared I was ten years ago. You automatically think the worst but of course many people do get through this.

Good luck.

Original poster
Stella123456 · 23/05/2023 07:17

Batalax · 23/05/2023 06:33

I had a deep cervical biopsy. It wasn’t too bad if that helps? I don’t remember it as particularly painful.

I had cervical cancer. I’m ok now but I do remember how scared I was ten years ago. You automatically think the worst but of course many people do get through this.

Good luck.

Thank you. The reason I know it will be painful is that it’s so painful in that area already.

I also had a cervical biopsy years ago.

thsnk you for the supportive words.

OP posts:
ArabeIIaScott · 23/05/2023 07:59

Hope you're feeling okay this morning, OP.

Make sure you tell them that it's painful, and let them know that you want pain relief.

Good luck for today, sending good thoughts your way.

Original poster
Stella123456 · 23/05/2023 08:26

@ArabeIIaScott thank you so much. I’m on the bus on the way to hospital

OP posts:
ArabeIIaScott · 23/05/2023 08:33

Wishing you all the best. bluedomino has great advice; you can acknowledge you're apprehensive and that's okay. Once you get there you'll be in capable hands, and you will get through it.

Original poster
Stella123456 · 23/05/2023 09:02

Thank you. I’ve been in and out hospital for 3 weeks now. I have catheter which is why things are extra complicated. I collapsed in the street yesterday on the school run.
I have had to beg for pain relief so today I’ll try to be strong and ask for Valium before the procedure. I’ve been treated really badly by some of the staff. And by my GP who refused to refer me to gynaecologist for a scan. Also refused painkillers.
I was refused a referral for a scan despite 5 a&e visits and a catheter fitted because gynaecology obstruction to bladder.
so my faith is shaken.

OP posts:
hellohelloQwe · 23/05/2023 09:04

have you got someone to pick you up, hopefully you're not getting the bus home afterwards? Hope you're ok and that it goes well x

VirtuousUpwardSpiral · 23/05/2023 09:07

You can ask for gas and air for pain relief.

JlL2013 · 23/05/2023 09:24

All the best. I think you will find them a lot kinder in Gynaecology Oncology. I really hope you do.

Also had a few biopsies done due to having cervical cancer and I've not found them too bad.

Fingers crossed for you x

Original poster
Stella123456 · 23/05/2023 09:34

Thank you. I just fainted as I got off bus. A lovely lady helped me to the hospital. She works for a&e. So much kindness. I have to treasure that and think less about the awful people I’ve encountered during this time.

OP posts:
Original poster
Stella123456 · 23/05/2023 09:35

The reason i know it will be painful is that I am in such pain in that area already. The vaginal ultrasound was excruciating and the doctor struggled to do it

OP posts:
Batalax · 23/05/2023 09:42

Hopefully they’ll give you a mild sedative. Can you get a taxi home.

Its sounds awful that you’ve been refused a scan for so long.

ArabeIIaScott · 23/05/2023 09:43

Oh my word, OP. Have you someone to come and collect you afterwards?

Original poster
Stella123456 · 23/05/2023 09:49

My daughter is with me and will come back this evening to collect me

i had to go private for the gynaecologist and im
just fortunate that I was able to

OP posts:
ArabeIIaScott · 23/05/2023 10:04

Glad your daughter is there and will be collecting. Gynae medics are far more experienced and familiar with dealing with scans and ultrasounds, etc. and will be better set up to make sure you're comfortable.

Batalax · 23/05/2023 16:10

How was it?

Original poster
Stella123456 · 23/05/2023 19:37

It was terrible. I had no scan of biopsy. They said they didn’t know anything about my previous scan so they can start the clock again with the 2 week urgent referral time. I’m so distressed.

and to top it off my daughter didn’t come on time and casually texted that her drama rehearsal had run over.

OP posts:
Original poster
Stella123456 · 23/05/2023 19:39

It has been an absolute nightmare at the hospital. I have been advised to try yet another hospital a&e tomorrow morning. I’m broken by it all

OP posts:
Batalax · 23/05/2023 19:53

It was terrible. I had no scan of biopsy

No scan or biopsy? Your anxiety levels must be sky high. Why do they think you were there then?

Ask your doctor for some sleeping pills if you need to. They would only prescribe me a weeks worth but after a couple I cut them in half and eked them out. They did help me calm down a bit at night when the bad thoughts were at their worst.

Original poster
Stella123456 · 23/05/2023 20:09

Thank you. I’m struggling to get the dr to give me painkillers but I’ll ask again for sleeping pills too. I’ve just taken phenergan to knock me out a bit tonight.

they said they work by seeing patients and screening to see if they need any investigations. Then start the clock from there. Even though they had the referral from gynae consultant with urgent 2 week investigations needed.

OP posts:
Original poster
Stella123456 · 23/05/2023 20:12

They just said no biopsy. This appointment is just to see whether you need treatment and to talk about your symptoms. I was sobbing

I cannot empty my bladder and have had a catheter for 3 weeks because of the pressure from whatever is in me. I have collapsed in the street twice. They have done No investigations whatever. Not even an ultrasound. 6 a&e visits.

the staff today were saying to go to a&e about the fainting. I wouldn’t even bother. I’ve been so abused there already.

OP posts:
Original poster
Stella123456 · 23/05/2023 20:15

If I haven’t made clear - because of the urinary retention which was treated as emergency 3 or 4 times I had to go private for the ultrasound. That private consultant said the scan is very worrying and I would definitely have investigations within 2 weeks because it’s highest priority and the NHS have to keep to that timescale. Then today is two weeks later and they start again. No mention of previous scan.

OP posts: