Nhs Problems

[Caran]

A week or so ago I went to doctors, I have an open sore on the back of my left hand. It will not heal, have had it for 18 months or more. I ignored it until I had pains in my hand and arm.
Doctor thinks it is cancerous. He is referring me to a dermatologist.

[Mamyalynne]

Has he fast tracked the referral?

He should if he suspects it's cancerous.

[TonyV]

Caran you need to get your hand to ASAP, either via doctor or emergency at your hospital.

[Caran]

Mamya I'm having problems posting, it keeps freezing.
I had a letter from hospital, cancelling appointment for 22 March that I knew Nothing about.

[Buenchico]

I'm genuinely not trying to be awkward, Caran, but I don't understand the 'NHS problems' title to your post. Have you been told that there's a very long waiting list or are you worried that NHS cancer services might be restricted due to Covid? (If it's the latter, I can assure you, from personal experience, that the vast majority of cancer treatments have been going ahead normally).

If you're simply looking for some information, the following two links might help:

This first link is about melanoma, which is the more serious form of skin cancer (but it also far less common, so don't start panicking!):
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/melanoma-skin-cancer/

This is about the far more common form of skin cancer:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/non-melanoma-skin-cancer/

It's never nice to hear the C-word from a doctor but, for the vast majority of people, it's definitely not necessarily something to 'get in a state' about. I was told that I'd got incurable cancer just over a year ago but, to the great annoyance of many I expect, I'm still here ;-)

[Caran]

Then I had two letters in one day. Appointment July 13th. One at 10.15 and one at 3.30. Phoned and sorted, 10.15 is right.
Today received a letter from my surgery forwarding me an appointment for 22nd march.
Rang hospital to check. That one was cancelled weeks ago.
They confirmed my appointment is July 13th.
What a performance though to get a correct date.

[Caran]

Sorry about the messy posting but I have problems.
I can only post a certain amount then it freezes. Then I have to repost.

[TonyV]

Caran ring your GP in the morning, they should know what's going on.

[Caran]

Tonyv I rang today, they didn't know what was going on. I told them the saga, they adjusted my records, but it seems a long four month wait for something that could be cancerous.

[Buenchico]

As Tony suggests, Caran, you need to contact your GP. That's not only to get the problems with the administrative cock-ups sorted out but also to ask him whether he thinks the 'freezing' of your hand is actually linked to the (possible) cancer. I suspect that he might say that it isn't. (There are many other causes, such as rheumatoid arthritis).

[TonyV]

Caran did you speak to a receptionist or a medical practioner, I.e a doctor or a nurse?

[TonyV]

Caran our GP and hospital are linked via internet, we get a letter or email a couple of days later after consultation.

[Caran]

Chris I obviously didn't explain enough. The freezing referred to my postings. There seems to be a limit on the amount I can post. Th

[Buenchico]

>>> it seems a long four month wait for something that could be cancerous

Agreed - but it could also be a good sign. (i.e. the medics see it as nothing of great urgency). With my cancer, it was detected on a Monday, I was called in for a consultation on the Tuesday, I had an MRI scan on the Wednesday and a CT scan on the Friday. The obvious urgency definitely got alarm bells ringing in my mind! At least you know that the doctors aren't going into panic mode in your case, so try not to worry too much. (Yes, I know that it's easier said than done but I doubt that you've actually got much to worry about).

[Caran]

Thank you Chris.

[Mamyalynne]

I'd still ring GP again and ask straight out if you have been fast tracked.

[sanmac]

Caran, a few years years ago, over a period of time, I had three experiences with skin cancer and none of them involved a "freezing" sensation. In each situation the cancerous area was removed and later "patched over" with a skin graft. As Buenchico suggested earlier, it may not be cancerous at all; however, obviously, you're really concerned about this, and I wish you well.

[Mamyalynne]

The 'freezing' is a reference to her iPad when posting on here.

[sanmac]

I should have added that the sites were nose, wrist, and, as you, the back of the hand.

[sanmac]

Ah, so two of us misinterpreted that, OK.

[Sqad]

Caran.....total confusion on your thread.

//////It will not heal, have had it for 18 months or more.//////

This is NOT an emergency.
This is not a Melanoma
This is not a"problem" in the NHS.
Wait for the hospital to reschedule your appt.