Hello, finally got somebody to talk to me on Friday after ringing several people and leaving messages. Couldn’t even get hold of the Patient Co-Ordinator in the hospital! Anyway in the end the Head Nurse from Pallative Care called me, I explained what was going on and that I had received an appointment for 18 February for only one test and that as my case was being classed as urgent how could I be expected to wait 10 week from initial Doctors appointment to my first test! Well she got my file went down to Radiography and then called me back. It turns out they only have one person who does the Ultrasounds and she has been sick for the most of January and is on holiday next week! However, she has managed to get me in for a mammogram next Thursday or earlier if she can. She will ring me on Monday if she can. They are trying to sort out a locum for the Ultrasound but at least I feel as though things are moving now but its a pity it had to get to the point of me actually shouting to get somewhere.
Christine the Head Nurse was great and she spoke to me on the phone for sometime. I had the Breast Cancer Care local group in Gibraltar calling me as well and they are being very helpful. Hopefully next week I will hear about the Ultrasound.
Glad you are getting somewhere! Don’t suppose that the healthcare standards are the same as the UK ie one stop clinics but at least yo are getting results and you are also getting the support of BCC there too!
It does seem ludicrous that there is only one person who can do the radiograhpy - what if something were to happen to her!?
Rest assured that I doubt a few weeks wait will make a difference so long as they schedule the tests and results and treatment properly!
Fingers crossed that you get your call on Monday with some reasonable dates for tests and results that you can focus on!
Better still, you are here shortly telling us it was all ok!
Well I have finally had my mammo last Thursday and today I had my ultrasound. They decided to do the biopsy. The lump is approximately 5 cm! Bit shocked but then again I knew it was on the large size. Radiologist confirmed what the Doctor said that it was not a cysts but she did not want to commit to anything else. As you can imagine, head and immagination running away with me. One thing she did mention though was they had to do the biopsy to find out for definite but then she mentioned something about it could be my lymph node growing at an accelerated rate. Then she said she didn’t want to commit as to whether it was benign or malignent and that I should get the results in a couple of days. As long as the results are back I have an appointment with the Consultant next week.
Has anyone heard of the “lymph node growing at an accelerated rate?” does anyone know what this could mean.
Can’t help on the lymph node thing but just wanted to say I am glad you have finally had all the tests and try not to worry too much this coming week. I know its easier said than done and knowing is often better than not knowing just try and arrange some nice things to do to keep your mind off it.
If it is BC then you’ll get loads of support and make friends on here, if not then you can wave goodbye to a horrid few weeks in your life.
Either way, let us know how you get on, we always like good news, xx