The waiting game

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Hi, 

I noticed a lump in my neck a couple of months ago, after a couple of visits to the doctor, I was finally referred to ENT. 

the consultant advised it looked like a lesion in my submandibular gland and they took a biopsy and sent me for an MRI. That was over two weeks ago, I have just had my follow up appointment which is not for another 3 weeks. I can’t decide if the long wait is a sign that it’s positive news or just normal wait times. The not knowing is driving me crazy. 

Daz 

  • Yes the waiting is torture, we tend to overthink, not easy, try to occupy your mind with positive activities, some solace in the old adage 'no news is good news '

    Micky

  • Hi Daz, no doubts your mind is doing somersaults with the waiting - at the start I was sent for X-rays, ultrasound, endoscopy and biopsy, all on the same day after surgeon examined me for the first time, also booked in for CT and MRI scans - my follow up appt was after both the scans were booked, which I heard about a few days after the first appt. It was a couple of weeks after that , that I saw my oncologist and her team who talked me through what they had found and the treatment plan. 

    The wait is always the bugger that drives one crazy and in most cases we fear the worst.

    its 8 months further on for me, had treatments but further biopsies and other treatment to follow. Over that time the common factor is always the waiting and the wonderful thing called ‘the mind’ which takes on the journey.

    There is a BUT and you’re here on it, amazing people to help guide and support you, who understand where and what you’re going through - always someone to talk with, who will be with you no matter what.Anytime you want to ask or talk, just drop a line .

    Stay strong and positive 

    Nige

  • Hi Daz

    it can take a while. I had a biopsy done on the node. It came back as inconclusive. Didn’t find out though for what seemed ages. I ended up going back for a punch biopsy. In the meantime I went for an mri then a chest scan and pet scan. This happened from last September to November.  The nhs isn’t the fastest but once the diagnosis was clear it happened fast. 

  • I went to GP with a lump in my neck 3 weeks ago and since then have had ultrasound, numerous blood tests, haematology clinic, CT, biopsy...and consultant yesterday. MRI still to come, but looks like surgery within the next 4 weeks. I really can't fault NHS. 

  • I really can't fault NHS. 

    Yes they really are on the ball with oropharyngeal SCC. It’s over 90% curable so they get their skates on. 

    Dani 

    Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019

    I BLOGGED MY TREATMENT 

    Macmillan Support Line -  0808 808 00 00 7 days a week between 8am-8pm

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  • I can’t fault them once I got a diagnosis. However I kept having the nasal camera due to gruff voice and they told me to stop wasting their time as I was fine. It was only when the lymph node came up that they took me seriously