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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be worried about what woman in x Ray said

75 replies

Member327967 · 15/11/2019 10:56

Hi, I’ve posted here for traffic and I’ll try to keep it brief;
I had a malignant melonama skin cancer in 2011, had a wider excision on my lower back and went into remission for 5 years then was dismissed. Haven’t thought much about it since.
Around 3 months ago my back started getting really painful aches from around 3am every night, and it’s got worse and worse to the stage where I can’t get into a position that doesn’t hurt.
Went to doctors before spending money on a new mattress; doc checks my flexibility (I do yoga) and said great flexibility so ruled out sciatica based problems. Then he lifted my top up, asked about the scars and when I told him about the melanoma he seemed very focused on that, going on about x Rays and how I must be worried and we need to get it checked. That freaked me out in itself as I hadn’t even thought it could be related.
Anyway, went to x ray that afternoon at local hospital, lay down and asked the woman (technician/radiologist/not sure) if I got the results now or if they got sent to doc as it’s been ages since I’ve been in hospital. She said no it’s sent to docs, I said ok and she took two x rays. Then she came up to me and said “all done, I’m going to put these on fast track as urgent to the radiologist, I’ve been where you are and I know you must be worried”.
Aibu to be even more worried by this comment? I would have thought that urgent fast tracks would be for if they can see something has shown up, not to make a patient feel better! (I’m not complaining of that is the case ) She said ring in the morning (today=Friday and if not ring again Monday, and if you are pestering them never mind). I don’t know what they can tell when they are taking them - can they see the image straight away? If so and she could see nothing was there I would have thought she would have said something like try not to worry/nothing to worry about etc (I know they are limited to what they can say though).
I think I’m a bit more emotional about it at the moment as one of my friends has been re-diagnosed with cancer and it’s spread eberywhere- has come as a massive shock.
Sorry to ramble on, would appreciate if anyone in the know could advise.

OP posts:

Original poster

Member327967 · 15/11/2019 10:57

Doctors and xray appointment was yesterday by the way. Thanks.

OP posts:

Honeyroar · 15/11/2019 11:00

Ive no useful advice, but can see why it's all made you feel anxious. Just keep ringing your dr like she said, hopefully you will know the full picture soon. Hope it's nothing serious, but best to know if it is.x

Brenna24 · 15/11/2019 11:01

I don't think that it sounds like saw anything sinister. More that sh has had cancer or some other form of serious health problem and knows how scared you are right now, so is reassuring you that you don't have long to wait for the results. What a lovely lady.

overwork · 15/11/2019 11:02

They can see the images straight away, to check they have covered everything needed. but actually reading them and reporting the results takes more time than a quick glance and is often done in a quiet, dark room, by a doctor. Hopefully she was genuinely just trying to put your mind at rest.

bluebluezoo · 15/11/2019 11:03

To me it sounds like she was trying to reassure you- you’ll get answers more quickly fast tracked. Save it being queued behind suspected fractures and sprains.

If you had a tumour big enough an x-ray tech could spot it straight away she would probably have called the consultant there and then with your history, and you’d have been called back immediately.

Wingedharpy · 15/11/2019 11:04

I would say that the Radiographer, was trying to reassure you that your X-rays would be dealt with as speedily as possible in view of your medical history.
She was trying to show you some empathy.
She wouldn't give you an indication that it was all clear or otherwise as that's not her call to make.
Good luck and fingers crossed that it's nothing more than old age creeping up on you at 3am.

GinDaddy · 15/11/2019 11:05

Really hope you don't have long to wait for the results, this is a ghastly situation for you, hope it turns out to be easily remedied and you have no pain etc.

I'd be wary of posting online for answers, in the sense that everything people post is an opinion and a lived experience, and may not be relevant to your exact case - only the results will help I expect.

millyv · 15/11/2019 11:06

I'm going through this at the moment. Just had the extra excision on Monday. All of my results have been fast tracked. I genuinely believe that once you're 'in' the system with such results previously that you will get fast tracked in future. I know you will worry until you get your results but please try your best not to look for hints about your results- I know that is easier said than done! . Sending you a big hug! Xx

ThatsMeInTheSpotlight · 15/11/2019 11:07

As a PP said, they can see the images straight away but they aren't trained to interpret them that's why they're passed to a doctor/consultant.

She was trying to reassure you because of your history which, presumably she was aware of, because of your scars.

I hope you have good news today

HollowTalk · 15/11/2019 11:07

I hope you get some good news very soon.

QueenofPain · 15/11/2019 11:12

She’s probably said that based on what your GP typed in the request box, I.e. “Insidious back pain, previous skin Ca. Exclude bony mets” or something similar.

Original poster

Member327967 · 15/11/2019 11:15

Thank you everyone,
She was a very lovely lady and I did appreciate her, I am very sure she didn't mean to worry me further!
I think it's all just been worrying as I had no idea the two things could be linked until doctor brought it up (he is very lovely too).
I did try to think that if it was that bad she would have kept me in - in fact when she first said that she was going to get a radiographer I thought she meant then and there and nearly fell off the bed .
Just hope the results come back quickly. My mum and husband are panicking a bit as it shocked us all the first time round, and with the news about our friend being fresh in our minds it's just worrying until you know. I put off going to the docs about my back for about 4 months now as I thought well I'm getting older and probably just need a new mattress (it's 8 years old and has travelled the Uk and survived a move to India and back) but DH said I needed to get checked by doc first .
My DM made a joke that she bets he wishes he'd stumped up for the new mattress now rather than worrying

OP posts:

Cuddling57 · 15/11/2019 11:15

I'm always trying to interpret doctors words, tone and facial movements so I really feel for you.
Try not to worry, hopefully she was reassuring you and you will get good results soon.

Original poster

Member327967 · 15/11/2019 11:17

@millyv hope you feel better soon, I was pregnant when they did my wider excision and it wasn't very fun! Xo

OP posts:

formerbabe · 15/11/2019 11:18

I'm no expert but I highly doubt that comment was based on what she saw but more on what the gp wrote on the referral.

Hope it's good news for you and you're not waiting too long for the results.

fudgesmummy · 15/11/2019 11:41

I totally get how you feel.
I’ve just had surgery for cancer and on an online support group we call this “scanexity”
The anxiety waiting for the results of a scan/tests. The trying to read the doctors/technicians face and body language and second guessing everything they say.
Hope you get some answers and relief from the “scanexity” soon 🙂

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 15/11/2019 11:47

I can't say for certain, none of us can, but I think her reason for expediting the X ray results was because she had been in your position herself, and knew how agonising the wait was to find out the results, especially if you'd had bad news before.

I don't think it necessarily means that she saw anything nasty.

I hope you get a good outcome

Interestedwoman · 15/11/2019 11:58

So sorry to hear about your friend. :( :(

Am sure it's fine and they were trying to reassure you that you wouldn't be waiting any longer than necessary. Please let us know how you get on xxx

millyv · 15/11/2019 12:10

@Member327967 thanks, healing well. Just need to try not to use that part of my body much which is proving hard!

Hopefully they will get the results to you soon. Sorry to hear about your friend. In circumstances like this it is difficult not to compare, but as I'm sure you know that isn't healthy. Good luck!

vaselinda · 15/11/2019 12:14

Hi OP

I definitely agree that shes speaking with regards to the referral, I believe that if there's a possibility that it even could be suspected cancer due to your medical history, you will be referred to be dealt with within a 2 week time frame. If it wasn't suspected cancer, you would likely be waiting weeks and weeks through the entire process.
So try and frame it in a positive light, it's likely to not be anything but they are getting it all checked out ASAP just in case.

Lovemenorca · 15/11/2019 12:17

X ray lady sounds lovely
She knows your history and rightfully suspect it musts be worrying to be back having investigations again.

middlemuddle · 15/11/2019 12:40

I hope it's good news, and I'm sorry about your friend. :( x

chinateapot · 15/11/2019 12:47

I think probably the GP has mentioned your previous melanoma on the request form and has said they want to exclude anything related. Honestly don’t think it means they’ve seen anything.

FreeStar · 15/11/2019 12:55

The radiographer is just that- they only take the pictures. An expert will need to analyse and interpret your x-rays and they will send the results to your consultant who will inform you of the results. I wouldn't read anything sinister into what she said.

VisibleShantiLine · 15/11/2019 13:14

None of us can tell you one way or the other. But I will say this.

I do yoga and am very flexible, yet I still get sciatica (yoga is the only thing that eases it).

Yesterday my son had a scan and the radiologist said she would fast track the results as quickly as possible (so I freaked out), then slipped that I shouldn't be "too concerned". I suspect (I hope) it meant as I was a mother she would get the results quickly to put my mind at ease. Called today and the GP has the results but is happy to wait to see us next week so I guess it's not urgent.

For you, perhaps the fast tracking was because as you have been through this worry before they would hurry things up so you can get on with your life.

Totally sucks that this has happened at the end of the week so now you have to wait, but I think if it were something serious you would be told to see your GP urgently.

Best of luck, OP. Shanti.

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