"Hysteroscopy Results"

Following many weeks of pain and a swollen abdomen, a blood test last May revealed elevated levels of CA 125. My GP then arranged for me to have a transvaginal ultrasound scan which indicated a thickened womb lining. I was then referred for an hysteroscopy at Good Hope Hospital which I had at the beginning of July. Like other women, I found the hysteroscopy very painful but my consultant and assistant nurses were wonderful and we chatted about how well England were doing in the World Cup which helped me get through it. The pain is certainly not like the mild period pain described in the patient leaflet but then again we are all different so that level of pain may apply to some women. Of course I knew I was being examined for signs of cancer and up to that point, although I had received first class treatment from everyone it was worrying me as to how long everything was taking. As we all know, the sooner cancer is treated, the better the prognosis. The patient information leaflet advised that I would receive results from the biopsy within 3 - 4 weeks. As the days followed I tried hard to put it to the back of my mind and not to think the worst but I have now become increasingly anxious not knowing the results. As it had been nearly 4 weeks since the procedure I contacted my consultants secretary yesterday in case my letter had been overlooked only to be met with a recording message saying the secretary was on leave. Well of course they are entitled to be on leave but what shook me then was the recorded message advising that results would take 6 - 8 weeks. That means I will possibly have to wait until September for my results which takes me to 5 months since the blood test. Why does the patient leaflet advise a waiting time of 3 - 4 weeks? If that is the usual waiting time, and the prolonged time is due to the secretary being on leave then why can't someone else cover that role for the duration of the absence. The medical staff are brilliant but the anxiety caused by delayed results could be alleviated with better administration. If I do have cancer, I have possibly missed vital treatment that could mean the difference between life and death.