Hi Ella,

I am sorry to hear that you haven't got your MRI results back yet. It normally takes 1-2 weeks to get these, but this is taking quite a lot longer in some areas, due to Covid. Unfortunately, the amount of time you have to wait doesn't seem to bear any significance on the outcome. When you have already been waiting for 3 weeks, why not phone your consultant's secretary again and ask what the hold up us due to?  Even when the results come back, they are discussed by all the people involved in your care at an MDT (multi-disciplinary team) meeting before you are told anything. This allows your consultant to be able to discuss any further action that may be necessary with you at your results meeting.

I do hope that you hear something soon. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine

Thank you so much for your reply.

I've been getting my hopes up as time goes on - and, strangely, because I have felt the best I have in months this week.

I will leave another message for her. It would be great to have the all-clear to put me out of my anxiety or some idea of what it could be. 

Thank you!

xxx

Hi Ella,

Waiting for these results is always a worrying time. Try to tie her down to a definite answer as to why it is taking so long and when you can expect the results to be through. Let her know that you were told they would be back within 2 weeks and that it is now over 3.

I hope that they come through soon and, that all is clear. Please keep in touch. 

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Ella,

I had to wait for 5 weeks for my MRI results to come through - sometimes they take the results to MDT meeting before they give you any information. I was lucky that the secretaries were really helpful and kept me informed as much as they could. When they said my results were in - but going to MDT - I kind of freaked - but then they said it was usual protocol. I would keep calling to see if you can catch someone - weirdly I always got someone around 12 noon!  I hope all turns out well for you.

Thanks Jolamine. x

Hi Songbird

Thank you for your helpful response.

Sadly, the consultant's secretary keeps her phone on permanent answerphone - and her message advises that too. She also says that she never responds to results requests, which has proved correct, and she doesn't respond to queries about when results are expected either!

So it's radio silence from the gastro department, which is the opposite to the breast clinic (I saw them last Monday), who checked me, did an ultrasound, a mammogram and sent the confirmation of [good] results within a week.

If I haven't heard from gastro by Thursday, I may give PALS a ring. I just need to have some idea what is happening.

Thank you. xxx

Hi Ella,

PALS is a great idea - but another possible way is to ask your GPs if they have had any info - they may be able to access scans etc. You could also ask them if there is anyway they can find out what's going on as the gastro department are impossible to contact. It makes me wonder why you are given phone numbers where the calls are never answered. That's stupid! 

Hi Ella,

Were you give a contact for a specialist nurse? This is someone else that you could contact.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi

My GP said they couldn't help as they get the results after I do. They said they couldn't contact the consultant's team either. I don't know why. I might try them again as it may be a case of getting a more receptive GP response this time.

Thank you! x

Hi Jolamine

I wasn't but I can ask about this. Thank you. x