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Original poster

Round in circles, possible Ovarian cancer

20 replies

tealnightmare · 04/06/2021 17:00

I've name changed for this in case anyone knows me in RL.

Six weeks ago I had an MRI scan for an unrelated problem. When the report came back it also showed up mass on my ovary which was a shock. The MRI report doesn't say how big it is but it is mixed solid & fluid and I am post menopausal so it certainly needs more investigation.

My GP referred me for an urgent ultrasound scan on the 2 week wait pathway which was sent back with a note to say as only a Consultant can request an urgent 2 week scan.
GP then refers me to a Consultant who send that back because I don't have an ultrasound! 🤬

I have spoken to radiology, a non urgent scan is likely to take 8-12 weeks and a non urgent gynaecology referral will take until January 2023!

So....I am now paying £400 for a private scan tomorrow so, but I am so cross! There will be many many people who don't have the money to pay for that and I have spent weeks now, stressed, not sleeping and going in in circles with doctors, referrals and hospital departments.

I've just come here for a vent and rage really because nobody except my DH knows IRL. He's being super supportive but I don't want tell him actually how worried I am as his Mum is reaching the end with cancer herself.

OP posts:

Honeywort · 04/06/2021 17:17

for you. That sounds incredibly stressful. I hope tomorrow goes well for you x

theceilingnerfgunblackdot · 04/06/2021 17:25

Can you get a ca125 blood test from your GP? It's not diagnostic but is helpful in assessing for ovarian cancer. I went through this a few years ago. GP more or less said I had it, put me in the two
Week cancer pathway for a scan. Got rejected. I couldn't get a private one within a 100 mile radius as the radiologist who covered all the private scan clinics in the area was on 3 weeks AL. I literally had to go to GP sobbing through fear and saying I wasn't leaving the surgery without a booked scan. I got one a few days later and all was ok but it was one of the most terrifying experience of my life. I had the tenacity to get what was needed. Others wouldn't have and could have easily lost precious weeks in getting a diagnosis. I hope you are ok and get some clarity on what going on soon

theceilingnerfgunblackdot · 04/06/2021 17:30

I get your username too! My family were all ready to dye their hair teal if I got the worst diagnosis in solidarity as none of them would have looked good with shaved heads!

MyCatDribbles · 04/06/2021 17:34

OP where are you based? This is ridiculous

Thesagacontinues · 04/06/2021 17:38

I've seen this with my dsis in the last few months too. This was after being told by our GP for a few months that her symptoms were normal and nothing is wrong. She lives week to week with no extra money and had to get a private appt, ultrasound and mri to get to the bottom of it. Hers too is a mixture of mass and liquid and has turned out to be benign. She now has to pay again or go on a long waiting list to get it removed.

Original poster

tealnightmare · 04/06/2021 20:05

@Honeywort

for you. That sounds incredibly stressful. I hope tomorrow goes well for you x

Thank you, it has been a nightmare! I know rationally it's more likely to be a pesky cyst and not something to worry about but the stress of the ridiculous situation really hasn't helped! I will report back

OP posts:

Twinmammaplusone · 04/06/2021 20:08

Hi @tealnightmare that is really annoying. I have also been referred for an urgent ultrasound. Which area are you in? If they are referring you on the 2 week pathway surely they should do everything they can to meet that? I spoke to my GP today, got the letter today and am being seen on tuesday. Definitely ask for the ca125 bloods to be done.
I hope we both have cysts and nothing more. Will be thinking of you.

Original poster

tealnightmare · 04/06/2021 20:10

@theceilingnerfgunblackdot

Can you get a ca125 blood test from your GP? It's not diagnostic but is helpful in assessing for ovarian cancer. I went through this a few years ago. GP more or less said I had it, put me in the two Week cancer pathway for a scan. Got rejected. I couldn't get a private one within a 100 mile radius as the radiologist who covered all the private scan clinics in the area was on 3 weeks AL. I literally had to go to GP sobbing through fear and saying I wasn't leaving the surgery without a booked scan. I got one a few days later and all was ok but it was one of the most terrifying experience of my life. I had the tenacity to get what was needed. Others wouldn't have and could have easily lost precious weeks in getting a diagnosis. I hope you are ok and get some clarity on what going on soon

I have had one and it was 25 which did help calm my worst fears for a little while...I just want to know! It doesn't help that the symptoms of ovarian cancer are so similar to just every day life! Back ache, yep, bloating yep, needs a wee, yep...that what happens to middle aged women. Mostly I'm rational until my 3am wee wake up when I Google myself into a frenzy. I'm hoping the scan tomorrow gives me some answers

OP posts:

squee123 · 04/06/2021 20:11

Thinking of you OP. What a ridiculously unfair situation to put you in

Original poster

tealnightmare · 04/06/2021 20:13

@MyCatDribbles

OP where are you based? This is ridiculous

I'm in Warwickshire. I hope it's not the same scenario countrywide, I expected a long wait for my orthopaedic problems but I didn't foresee the utter ineptitude of this situation!

OP posts:

Original poster

tealnightmare · 04/06/2021 20:17

@Twinmammaplusone

Hi *@tealnightmare* that is really annoying. I have also been referred for an urgent ultrasound. Which area are you in? If they are referring you on the 2 week pathway surely they should do everything they can to meet that? I spoke to my GP today, got the letter today and am being seen on tuesday. Definitely ask for the ca125 bloods to be done. I hope we both have cysts and nothing more. Will be thinking of you.

I'm pleased you are being seen quickly and I will be keeping my fingers crossed for us both that it's nothing nasty, I know statistics are in our favour but it all looks bleak at 3am doesn't it! 💐

OP posts:

Twinmammaplusone · 04/06/2021 20:41

@tealnightmare please let me know how you get on tomorrow and try not to think about it until then! Harder said than done I know. It is good to be seen quickly, but of course the 2 week pathway freaks me out!

Beardie03 · 05/06/2021 06:31

Please let us know OP. Everything crossed for you xx

Original poster

tealnightmare · 05/06/2021 12:49

Thank you all the positive thoughts!

I had the scan this morning and the radiologist says she thinks it's a fibroid but she is also going to review the MRI that I had initially and contact my GP on Monday.

I feel significantly more optimistic than I did, I might have a glass or two of pink fizz in the garden this afternoon!
🥂 cheers ladies

OP posts:

Honeywort · 05/06/2021 13:03

Really pleased for you!x

Twinmammaplusone · 05/06/2021 14:11

Yay! Definitely have that fizz :)

Honeyroar · 05/06/2021 14:20

Brilliant- but I’m still sorry you had all of that stress and had to pay for it yourself.

ljustlovesquirrels · 05/06/2021 14:44

Great news! Enjoy the fizz

vivainsomnia · 05/06/2021 15:27

That's good news OP but just to say that your GP is an idiot. In some areas, GPs can refer directly for an ultrasound scan, but not when there is a suspicion of cancer. In that instance, they do need to refer to the hospital consultant under the 2 ww.

It sounds like after messing up with the ultrasound, he then referred you to a consultant but not under the 2ww. You certainly shouldn't have had to seek private treatment.

yikesanotherbooboo · 05/06/2021 17:25

Certainly in this area there would have been no need to pay privately in fact it would have potentially held back your investigation.we can send off the scan request at the same time as the 2WW gynae form or order a 2WW scan as a stand alone and wait for the result before deciding what to do next x

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