Hi Zoogirl.
I had an MRI after a slightly raised PSA result from a routine series of blood tests, no real symptoms (until I found what the sympwere and realised I had several of them).
I got a phone call from urology a few days later, which I was completely unexpected as I'd been told it would take a couple of weeks. My mind immediately reasoned that the images needed doing again or something, but no, I needed a biopsy based on the results. She had no idea why, just that they wanted to do one. With very little information to go on and alarm bells gently warming up inside I agreed to the biopsy.
That's when the alarm bells went up a few notches. The consultant told me he had found two areas of concern on the MRI scan which he had scored 4 out of 5.
To say I was shocked is a gross understatement, I was on my own, in a backless gown and suddenly things had gotten really serious.
Thankfully the biopsy process (transrectal under local numbing, their preferred method) was pretty straightforward but some men do find it uncomfortable or even painful but I was lucky I guess.
I was told I'd get a phone result within14 days. But I heard nothing in that time and rang myself after 16 days, obviously fearing the worst and completely resigned to getting bad news.
I spoke to a secretary with little patience and even less empathy. We are very busy dealing with people who really do have cancer, you've been discharged, just wait for your letter! No explanation or anything.
The letter told me even less, if I'm still worried about my prostate health I can ask for another PSA test but not for twelve months. IF IM CONCERNED! You bet I'm concerned.
Sorry to waffle on, but I'm trying to say that the NHS has a really poor set up for dealing with these things. Some trusts do this, others do that, some have this piece of kit, others do not, some consultants like this way, others do things differently. If I take my car in for a new clutch, it's generally always done the same way, rarely will a garage try to get the clutch out by crawling up the exhaust pipe.
But with health it's a bit of a lottery. And the way you will find out information is pretty random too. Maybe your way,with a named nurse is better compared to my quick phone call after the MRI to say that for some reason they wanted a biopsy.
Just try to keep being supportive and patient with your husband and not to worry until there is something concrete to worry about. This may be nothing, as it was in my case. No one ever said to me "it's probably nothing" and therein lies the problem, every part of the process feels scary until it's not. Then you feel a fraud for wasting their time..
I truly hope your outcome is a good one like mine, but I know how hard it is to stay positive as you go through the mill of tests and waiting.
Warm regards, mick x