2 week urgent referral - not coping

[thisbetheverse]

Hi, I’ve been told i need an urgent 2 week referral to rule out cancer but I’ve still not got my letter yet, I keep chasing the GP but it’s a week later now then when he first told me and still no letter (the 2 week doesn’t start until this is issued!).

I have a 6 month old daughter and I’m really struggling to cope, I know it’s irrational but every day I think this could be my last time with my daughter. I can barely sleep and keep bursting into tears, have a constant sick feeling. I’m so so scared.

i have a swollen neck, initial blood tests have come back clear but they want to send me to an ENT specialist.

i guess just looking for any coping strategies whilst I wait, plus any advice from anyone else who’ve had a similar experience.

i don’t want to leave my daughter without a mum, I’m so devastated that it could happen.

Hope your alll doing ok

Im on the 2 ww pathway

:(

Had my colonoscopy

Had 3 polyps removed

Awaiting biopsies results :(

Very scared

It's human nature to fear the worst. I'd decided I definitely wouldn't be around to see my kids marry and have grandkids. Looking back, I had no sense of perspective. It wasn't even just cancer, in my mind it was untreatable and I wouldn't last a year.

I can't tell you how many times I've thought that over my life and how much I wished I hadn't wasted that time on those kind of thoughts. I can think of five friends in the last year who've had cancer-like symptoms and it wasn't cancer but various obscure medical conditions.

I'm lucky to have private healthcare but I wouldn't pay if it causes financial stress. My AXA policy comes with a private GP and they're geared up for quick referrals. You can usually get an appointment the same day and they'll put the referral through to AXA straight after. If I had to go through my NHS GP for my private referrals, I doubt I'd be seen quicker than the two week pathway. The private hospitals are good at getting test results back promptly though, particularly if you have the tests prior to seeing the consultant.

Depending on biopsies results - i might get another colonoscopy in 2 - 3 months

The write up from the day says IF - if results from biopsies are benign - to go back in 6 months - for a check - to see site of where biggest polyp was ...

But someone told me 26 weeks is nhs jargon and stuff ...

Obv until i have results of 6 biopsies - 2 fro each polyp i duñno

But i have anxiety and dont want a potential 6 month unknown / wait..

My partner and i were hoping to try for a child ib a few months

Fingers crossed for you all. I think statistics say that one in two of us are diagnosed with cancer at some point in our lives. Obviously no where near that proportion actually die, so even if it is cancer there is a good chance that you’ll be ok, as I am now.

But I do relate to losing that sense if proportion, I’ve done it a few times since. Your mind automatically goes to worst case scenario. I wish I could change that Even now.

Hi @thisbetheverse and all in the same position, sorry I didn't get back sooner. I hope you're feeling a little better now, less stressed!

My letter arrived yesterday morning! CT Thorax, Abdomen, Pelvis with contrast booked for 8.35am next Saturday! So.. I guess that fits in with 2 weeks considering the pressure on the NHS and bank holidays.

Can I ask anyone who's has had the same CT about what should I wear? (I'm not thinking makeup and heels 😂 never have!). It doesn't mention anything, it's just that I had an MRI years ago and of course it was things like no underwired bra...

I don't know. At least I have the appointment now. Love to all and fingers crossed.

Hugs OP, it’s very stressful. I have been on the 2ww twice this year (to rule out 2 different cancers) and I remember only too well how stressful it was
If your worse fears are confirmed and it is a malignant thyroid tumour, thyroid cancer has a v v high 5 year survival rate 🌼

@WhereTheSuburbsMeetUttoxeter I had chest/abdomen/pelvis CT with contrast on Friday. Just wore leggings and a T-shirt with non underwire stretchy sports bra and didn't need to change for the scan. The scan itself took less than 10 mins - but had to drink a contrast drink (then wait an hour) and then get cannulated beforehand

Op, good blood results are reassuring. It would be highly unusual to have cancer and for blood tests not to sure something out of kilter.

It could be why there is a slight delay as non symptoms,clear blood tests suggests nothing concerning.

Ime, the NHS do act for urgent investigations should the referral have worrying blood tests.

Okay thank you, that's great. I was thinking of digging out and old sports bra. Haven't been up to much lately 🤣 I'm not sure what's happening as they have crossed out bits about starving (fair enough) but also crossed out about the contrast drink. I'm confused. I might that bit of my letter in a bit. I'm running round like a headless chicken today with ... Stuff!!

That’s really reassuring livinghappy - thank you! Cannot wait till I know what’s happening, and hopefully the referral letter comes asap so at least I can stop worrying about that part!

Thanks worriedmillie - so glad your 2 referrals weren’t cancer that’s reassuring to hear!

Can’t remember if I mentioned in my original comments but I did end up getting a thyroid scan via a&e and they said it ‘looked normal’. Which is strange because the DR that felt my throat was certain it was the thyroid causing the swelling! I guess there’s no point in me trying to speculate too much before more tests are done!

I had one of these and nothing came of it, was just my GP being thorough. I did feel quite nervous whilst waiting but it was fine

Thank you blueigloo that’s reassuring to know, did it end to being under 2 weeks from first referral to final diagnosis?

I’ve read a post on a previous thread that it’s not always 2 weeks and can end up being 4-6, but hoping it’s not the case.

on a side note I did look into how much an ENT appointment would be privately and it’s coming out as £250 for the initial consultation alone, but even they can’t see me for 3 weeks so I guess no quicker!

Hi OP. GP medical secretary here. The 2ww referral process starts from when the referral was sent by the GP not when you receive an appointment. I would phone your GP tomorrow, speak to the secretary, to confirm when the referral was sent, the 2 weeks starts from that date. At the moment there are some 2 week wait referrals that are not being seen withing the 2 weeks due to capacity. The secretary at the surgery should be able to tell you if there is a delay at your hospital. Also, they will often phone you with an appointment rather than send a letter.

I have had 3 separate 2ww referrals (2 breast and 1 urology) none of which were cancer. A large number of 2ww referrals turn out not to be cancer so please don't panic (hard, I know).

Do make sure you haven't missed a 'number withheld' phone call. Could be the one you're waiting for.

I think for me it ended up being just over 2 weeks for the diagnosis. It didn’t require any further investigation either.

Oh yes, do answer any 'Private' numbers. I missed 2. Then letter arrived yesterday. I'm just going to wait until my appointment now. Too much juggling to get there asap.

I had a recent ct scan for something else recently. I had to change into a gown. It might be worth taking socks as my feet got a bit chilly.

Thanks for the heads up. I'll make sure clean undies too 😂

I was managing to get myself calmer and taking reassurance from a set of completely normal blood results. GP just called with the result of my qFIT test of >400 which is quite abnormal ( though given my presenting symptom was rectal bleeding not a huge surprise I suppose 🙄 ) Colonoscopy next
Monday and waiting for CT scan results. It's a bloody rollercoaster isn't it?

Spoke to the Drs today and found out that the referral got rejected since it wasn’t thyroid, but they’ve resubmitted now and said I should get a call / letter very soon.

@spiggydit my bloods also came back fine and the Dr said today when we spoke that it’s highly unlikely to be cancer with clear bloods, if that’s any reassurance! If you have some bleeding from piles etc I’ve read that it will show up in that qfit test so try not to worry (but I know how hard that is!).

P.s glad you said about the private numbers as I never answer those!

I had a lump on my lower neck/ collarbone and like you was worried sick. Had the 2 week referral and was called for CT scan after 12 days. Was reassured it didn’t look sinister then was called for an MRI scan - all clear,just a fatty lump. All this was over a period of 5 months. It’s the waiting that’s the worst and your mind plays havoc. Hope all goes well for you too.

How are you all doing ?
Im still awaiting biopsy results

@worldwidetravel2017 still waiting for my colonoscopy on Monday - feeling as if I'm drowning in worry and imagining all sorts of scenarios but trying to distract myself best I can ! Hope you're doing the best you can?