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Original poster

Cancer and COVID

13 replies

Covidfears · 20/11/2020 19:48

My father had a positive FIT test today (screening for bowel cancer) with a score of over 200 which I was told was very high. He has also lost a lot of weight and has an upset stomach after eating. We tried to book him in for a colonoscopy today through his private health care but we’re told that their wait list for it was 3 months. The doctor has referred him on the 2 week pathway but said that it will probably be a lot longer than 2 weeks.

I am absolutely petrified that my Dad is going to die because he won’t be able to get a timely diagnosis or treatment because of Covid. Also, he is vulnerable so has been shielding since March. Now he has to go to hospital which will no doubt increase his risk of catching (and probably dying) from Covid.

I can’t take anymore. All I can do is lie in bed. I can’t even look after the children. My husband is on the verge of redundancy, I’m having to send my children into school every day knowing that they could bring Covid home to me as I’m vulnerable so am petrified and now I could lose my lovely Dad. Life is so shit. I don’t want to get up tomorrow.

OP posts:
Svelteinmydreams · 20/11/2020 19:54

No words to make it better, but couldn’t read and run. That’s justbcrappy, so sorry you are dealing with so much stress. Here’s a handhold if it helps.

YogaLite · 20/11/2020 20:08

A friend did get colonoscopy within 2 weeks just recently so fingers crossed your dad will too.

nether · 20/11/2020 20:08

Two week referrals are usually running to time, fingers firmly crossed for you.

And I really hope your hospital has 'clean' facilities, or can refer him to somewhere that does

Frazzled2207 · 20/11/2020 20:11

Life is utterly shit right now and I really feel for you.
A good friend is a nurse in a major cancer hospital in the north west (covid hotspot). Some routine check ups and so on are being postponed but the vast majority of cancer treatment is being dealt with right now in a close to normal way. Back in the spring they had a lot of covid in the hospital but have managed to almost completely stamp that out now due to increased testing etc

I hope your dad will get the best possible care

WTF99 · 20/11/2020 20:11

I think it's unlikely your dad will have to wait long.
I know it's probably very unhelpful but your worrying will make absolutely no difference to the outcome.....try to distract yourself.
Hugs xx

Bourbonbiccy · 20/11/2020 20:16

Cancer treatments have continued locally to us, so hopefully it's within 2weeks.

Have they said why it's due to covid ?

LtJudyHopps · 20/11/2020 20:47

I’m so sorry it’s so crap for you right now. If it’s any consolation my mum has been going to the hospital every two weeks for months and months now. She’s been to a main London hospital a few times for scans as well. She’s been having covid tests every two weeks because of the hospital visits and (touchwood) she has been fine - she is vulnerable also.

Zem74 · 20/11/2020 22:10

So sorry you’re going through this.
Just want to say that you’re not alone. My mum has needed a colonoscopy for a few months now to see if her diagnosed cancer (not bowel) has spread to her bowel (suspected due to symptoms she’s showing), and has been waiting for months now, urgent referrals just keep getting declined by the hospital as they can’t meet the 2 week deadline for the request.
It’s horrendous that cancer patients are having their lives put in danger like this, and every time I hear Boris/Hancock and the others saying that the NHS is there for everyone, and protect the NHS it makes my blood boil!!!
Sending you hugs x

Sb2012 · 20/11/2020 22:19

@Covidfears

My father had a positive FIT test today (screening for bowel cancer) with a score of over 200 which I was told was very high. He has also lost a lot of weight and has an upset stomach after eating. We tried to book him in for a colonoscopy today through his private health care but we’re told that their wait list for it was 3 months. The doctor has referred him on the 2 week pathway but said that it will probably be a lot longer than 2 weeks.

I am absolutely petrified that my Dad is going to die because he won’t be able to get a timely diagnosis or treatment because of Covid. Also, he is vulnerable so has been shielding since March. Now he has to go to hospital which will no doubt increase his risk of catching (and probably dying) from Covid.

I can’t take anymore. All I can do is lie in bed. I can’t even look after the children. My husband is on the verge of redundancy, I’m having to send my children into school every day knowing that they could bring Covid home to me as I’m vulnerable so am petrified and now I could lose my lovely Dad. Life is so shit. I don’t want to get up tomorrow.

I hope your father gets seen within the 2 weeks. We are in a tier 3 area (Yorkshire and Humber) I believe our area currently has the highest rate of cases in England unfortunately. Anyway, my father had sudden stomach pain and back pain that persisted for a week. He spoke to the GP over a telephone appointment and was referred for a full check up to rule out bowel issues/cancer as he is 64 years old. Within 1 week of speaking to the GP he was sent an appointment. This was only 3 weeks ago. Thankfully it came back all clear and turns out he had some virus. I’m pretty certain emergency appointments are still happening within the usual time frame. Flowers
Original poster
Covidfears · 20/11/2020 23:05

Thank you everyone. The waiting is the worst part. I can’t believe this has happened on top of everything else this year. Fingers crossed the wait isn’t too long but with everything the government has messed up I’m not hopeful.

OP posts:
WTF99 · 21/11/2020 01:10

You will be fine. The nhs will deliver. I speak as an nhs worker and as someone who has been through chemo and knows all about waiting for results. Its horrid and no mistake but your dear dad will be seen and he will get the treatment he needs.

Porcupineinwaiting · 21/11/2020 09:00

Flowers My FiL was diagnosed with bowel cancer in August , op in September. It is stressful, esp the treatment, as of course the last thing he could cope with right now is COVID and mil is in the shielding group too. Do you have family nearby? We decided as a family that dbil and wife would provide all support as they are retired w no children at home, which means we cant visit at all. That's hard on dh but we phone and skype and try to stay cheerful.

Dfil's treatment has been exemplary though. Really no different from good treatment in precovid times. It's just the added risk of contracting COVID that makes in hard(er).

Original poster
Covidfears · 21/11/2020 10:38

No it’s just us and we have young children at school so we have just been seeing them from a distance outside. I just keep thinking they are going to find out it’s terminal and he will have spent his last year apart from his grand children he loves so much.

I actually can’t get out of bed today. Life is too shit.

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