"Waiting times, more anxiety, nowhere to turn"

First of all to set the scene (and make you aware just how long my 'journey' with the NHS has been, so you understand just why I feel the way that I do), I will start by saying that I've been dealing with fibroids and consultant appointments and tests for them, since August of 2017 (and yes, they're still not sorted).

However, that sadly is not the main focus of this complaint.

End of July

I had an MRI to see if I was suitable for fibroid embolisation (afterwards, consultant told me I was a candidate. I thought my journey was almost at an end, I was very happy that day - even posted about it on here).

Two days lateer

I was called in to see gynaecologist who delivered the bombshell that the MRI had found a cyst/growth on my ovary. He referred me for an urgent full-body CT scan and blood tests.

Early August

Had CT scan.

About 2 weeks later

Called in to see gynaecologist who told me the cyst/growth is actually in my abdomen, and that he would refer me to surgeons at Glasgow Royal Infirmary as they are the specialists for this (Note I am in NHS Lanarkshire area and I have not dealt with Glasgow before).

Mid September

Saw surgeon registrar at Glasgow Royal Infirmary who told me they normally would just operate and remove the growth but because I have underlying health condition they want to do a biopsy instead. I understood that this would take place within the two-week urgent timescale.

2 weeks came and went, with no sign of the biopsy appointment. I rang the hospital and spoke to the relevant department and was told that I am "on the list" for the radiology dept. but they don't have a date yet.

Earlier this week

I left a voicemail with the department saying that I am very anxious about the biopsy (for several reasons, including how long it is taking) and that I'd prefer to just have the operation instead.

Today

I was called back and told that the doctors are insistent that I must have the biopsy, and in any case an operation would still be several weeks away!  The team also chased up the radiographers but they still don't have a date.

I now have an appointment arranged to see the surgeon next Tuesday, so I can ask my questions directly. I was I probably won't get the biopsy before then!

So, I'm now expected to wait a further week to see the consultant again in person so I can voice my fears and by then it will be:

- exactly four weeks since I was told I need a biopsy.

- almost three months since the cyst/growth was found.

This is completely unacceptable, surely? I might have cancernd yet I'm supposed to wait an indeterminate period of time for a biopsy, and when I tell them I just want to skip that and go straight to the operation, I'm told that isn't possible.

I'm crying as I type this. I feel trapped; like so many times since this whole nightmare started I don't know where to turn or what future I have. I've developed Health Anxiety through all the waiting and tests I've had since the fibroids were discovered, and right at this moment I feel extremely depressed and it isn't an over-exaggeration to say that if it weren't for my very supportive husband (who is also going through a bad time with all of this) then I'd probably just end it all.

The surgeon registrar I saw was very nice, as is the nurse I've spoken to on the phone, but they can't possibly understand just what I'm going through. I know I'm just one of lots of patients they deal with, but I'm not just a "case" to be discussed at weekly meetings - I'm a person, with very real fears and worries. I cry myself to sleep most nights, when the anxiety is at its worst, and I have to live with the fear every day that I might have cancer and that it could be spreading in the time it is taking for anything to get done about it.

I might have cancer, yet there seems to be no urgency in getting this test done. And now I expect that, if I ever do get the biopsy, and it shows I have cancer, how long will I be expected to wait for an operation then?

I should not have to be waiting this long for a biopsy for possible cancer.