"Cancer investigation"

Two years ago I had an excruciating pain across my middle. The GP thought it could be a hernia. The treatment didn't help, so I was referred to the upper GI department of Wrexham Maelor hospital. In a very short time I had an endoscopy, which showed my upper GI tract is healthy. This was followed quickly by a CT scan and an appointment with Mr Stewart, the upper GI surgeon. 

The scan has shown an inoperable mass around the head of my pancreas and surrounding my mes-enteric artery. It was probably malignant, but a biopsy was needed before I could be referred to an oncologist. 

I had tremendous support from Mr Stewart and Stella for the next 9 months while we tried to find out what was going on. 

It proved to be very difficult to get a sample. The growth shrank, suggesting it might not be cancer, but Mr Stewart kept going with referrals for investigation until we had the answer, a slightly rarer form of lymphoma in an unusual position. 

Since then, I've come across lymphoma patients in other areas, whose problems were dismissed because, like mine, their blood tests didn't show any cancer indicators. Their problems were not taken seriously until the lymphoma had caused more damage.

I'm eternally grateful to my GPs and the hospitals and staff involved in my diagnosis.