Greetings. It’s a lot to take in, isn’t it? The hematologist surely would refer you to a hematologist/oncologist if your bloodwork indicates M protein and MGUS or sisters Smoldering Multiple Myeloma and/or Multiple Myeloma. I would certainly push for that or ask for the rationale as to why that isn’t indicated. This is complicated stuff and my PCP admits having very minimal understanding aside from knowing that having M protein in my blood is abnormal. After working with physicians for 15 years, I find that when they are unsure of themselves, they say very little and refer. So there you are… Waiting for the referral to kick in and getting an appointment with overbooked specialists and no answers. It’s scary and it’s frustrating.
The truth is, they’re not saying much because they don’t know much, and they don’t want to say the wrong thing which is really sound judgment. Lots of us have been there. I’m so sorry.
When you finally get in to see a hematologist/oncologist, there will be more blood tests. They may want to do scans and other diagnostic tests. Or maybe they will look at the bloodwork that is been done and decide you don’t need all that. You won’t really know until you talk to them. If that pesky M protein shows up in your blood and you are diagnosed with MGUS, they’ll probably do blood test every three months or so. It’s a watch and wait kind of thing. MGUS it’s not cancer (even though you are seeing an oncologist). MGUS infrequently progresses to Smoldering Multiple Myeloma or Multiple Myeloma but they will be on guard against that.
So the bad news is is that you have this worry, but the good news is that you will get excellent care and frequent analysis of your blood and body so if anything does go wrong, they are on top of it in a hurry. I feel quite fortunate to get the medical care that I receive on a quarterly basis. I am confident in my hematologist/oncologist, my PCP and other specialists who poke and prod and ensure that I stay healthy. I really look at it as a “glass, half full“ kind of thing. I feel good and I live my life fully.
Thanks for checking in with us and please let us know how things go with you.

Patty