Hi there everyone.
Today was exactly two weeks since the M.R.I Scan of my Spine was done on December 1st.
My letter from the M.R.I department had said that results could take up to two weeks to
reach my G.P's surgery, so last week I checked and no results had been received.
Today, I thought I had better 'phone up the surgery and so rang them around lunch-time.
Still no results in and so they said would chase them up for me.
At 6.00p.m. the telephone rang and it was the Receptionist at my surgery asking if she could
book me in for some bloods to be taken this Thursday and to also book me in one week later
(which would have been Christmas Eve!), so that the Doctor could go through the findings
with me. I said that I didn't really feel like talking with the Doctor on Christmas Eve and so the
receptionist suggested Wednesday the 23rd December, which I accepted.
Actually, I would have preferred to see the Doctor after Christmas!
So now I have the horrors about what on earth they think could be wrong with me!
I did ask the Receptionist, "Why does the Doctor want me to have these blood tests - is it
to do with the M.R.I scan results?", but she said that she had not been told anything about that,
just to make the two appointments with me. (She was being really nice and helpful.)
Also, I have never seen this Doctor before, which I told the Receptionist, but she reassured me
the lady Doctor I have been booked in with is terribly nice and well liked by everybody.
I am still expriencing some pain in my upper back and taking prescribed painkillers twice a day.
My yougest son, Jocelyn and my Mum keep asking me whether I have had my Scan results back
yet and I don't really want to say anything to them about these blood tests and the Doctor's
appointment.
I realize that I may be just imagining worst case scenarios and that it may all be quite simple.
But I am not very good at prolonged stress!


Worried, but still here,
Fiona

Dear Fiona,

I don't want to sound dramatic but if it was very serious/urgent, they would have phoned you immediately.

Still, I think it is rather unfair that they are insisting on you having bloods done with no explanation. I would suggest you book an appointment as soon as possible and ask for your results and for an explanation.

It is your body and the results belong to you.

Much love,
Amanda

Hello Fiona, I thuogh you will be better off now, seeing the Doc before Christmas or you would spend the holidays wondering and worrying. I agree that if it had been more urgent you would have been called back sooner. Fingers crossed for you. Glenys.

Hi Fiona,
You could ask whoever takes your blood what tests they are doing on it. It's your blood and youhave a right to know.
Will be thinking of you.

Doreen xx

Hi Fiona,

It's horrible having to wait for results and sometimes our nerves get the better of us. I know it's easier said than done, but please try not to worry. I think if there was something sinister with your results arrangements would have been made to see you very quickly. However, I do think asking you to come in for a blood test without stating the reasons is not good practice and can potentially cause unnecessary anxiety in patients.

If you can't get an earlier appointment you could try calling the surgery and ask to speak with your GP and explain how you are feeling, and also to find out why you need a blood test.

I'm pleased the painkillers are providing you with some relief, but being in a similar situation, I think we both know in the long term that it is not the answer. I had my MRI scan done on Monday and was surprised after being referred how quickly the appointment came through for the scan. I had to go to a private clinic (something to do with NHS waiting lists), and wont get my results until next year and my consultant is on holiday too.

Love,

Barbara
XXXXXX

I do agree with the others, Fiona, if it had been something very nasty you would already have had an appointment with the gp! I also understand why you're stressed about it though. I think it's better to have your appointment before Christmas, otherwise you'd spend all Christmas fretting. Hopefully, this way your mind will be at rest and you'll be able to relax and enjoy the festivities.

Anthea x

Dear Julie, Amanda, Eleanor, Glenys, Lyn, Doreen, Carol, Barbara, Jean, Anthea and Deb,
Thank you for all your replies and wise advice!
I am not good at waiting, am I?
I agree that it is probably better to get it sorted out before Christmas.
I think that the suggestion about being recalled to the surgery very quckly, if the Scan showed up anything
obviously bad is very relevant. As things have gone, I had to get the surgery to chase down my results, so
that is probably a good sign!
Tomorrow is my blood test at 5.45p.m and when I think about it, that only leaves six days until I see the
G.P.
I shall try to not think about it after I have given the blood sample. Just let them get on and do their tests.
The trouble with me is that I cannot resist the temptation to "GOOGLE" things and that is a bad mistake with
anything medical, from my experience!
All in all, I think that I should concentrate on the fact that I am fortunate to live in a country with a free
National Health system!
Someone told Steve that to have an M.R.I Scan done privately cost him £600 for his wife!
I will keep you up to date with how things are.
Lots of love to you all,
Fiona

not heard either had 2nd last week christine

Hi again everyone!
Well, it's been a fairly reasonable few days since my last post.
When I get up, I change the date on my wooden block calendar and today I
saw that I only have one more day to go before the G.P appointment on the
23rd December. But the appointment is not til 6.40p.m.
I asked the nurse who took the blood samples what they were for and inflammation,
full blood count, Liver function and others I don't remember came up.
(The amount of Red wine in the evening has been creeping up the more nervous I get, but at
least I am sleeping through the night and not sitting on the landing at 5.00a.m!)
All my fears that I usually keep firmly repressed have been trying to surface - horrible
smoker that I am, etc!
But, you know, I really don't think I would have survived my kids teens and twenties without
my ciggs! (My daughter still apologises for her behaviour now when she remembers some of the wild
antics that went on!)
They can be SO CRAZY and seem to take turns at having meltdowns - two will be fine
and then the third one decides it's their turn to drive Mum bonkers!
But, I love each one of them more than words could ever say.
Thank you for so many replies and support.
Fiona

Me too Fiona,


Will be watching the posts to hear the outcome. Best of luck.

Eleanor x