Hi all, I visited my doctor on Monday and after we went over my symptoms and I got my pelvic exam she said she was referring me to the gynecologist at the hospital and she would call me with my appointment details. It's Thursday and I have not received a call back, I know I'm probably just really anxious but how long should I wait before I call back to check the status of the referral? Should I call my primary doctor or should I call the gyno to see if they received it?
I apologize if this is a dumb question, I'm new to this and just very anxious for answers, especially since the doctor said my groin lymph nodes are swollen.
Hi Anon513
I would think it would be best to call the GP that referred you and ask for an update. If it is an urgent referral they should try to get you in to see the gynaecologist within 2 weeks. If the GP has put the referral through and you haven't heard by early next week, I would possibly call the hospital to check on the appointment (if you have a number for the secretary)
I was actually phoned by the hospital appointment scheduler within a week with an appointment so would think that you should hear something very shortly.
Have you got the NHS app? There may be something on there?
It is not at all a dumb question and I can understand that you are feeling anxious for answers. Perhaps give your GP a call or do one of those online consultations tomorrow and ask for an update. I did this several times during my diagnosis and treatments and they never minded.
Jane
Thank you Jane2511, a little update, my GP called me back with the information for the gynecologist and told me to call around 10-11am tomorrow to make my appointment. Feeling a little bit less anxious now. My appointment will be for a vulvar biopsy so now I just have to get through the anxiety of waiting on the appt + test results 
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That's good news. Hopefully biopsy will be done quickly. I understand the anxiety waiting for the appointment and results. At the time it can seem forever but hopefully it will be done by this time next week and then its just the wait for the pathology to come back. In the meantime we are here if you need us
Hi again , just another update and question 
️ My biopsy is now scheduled for November 6th. I just was wondering, if you're comfortable answering, how was the procedure + healing process? Is there anything that helped you during the healing process? Just want to be 100% prepared.
Hi Anon513
Am glad your biopsy has been scheduled. My biopsy was done on my endometrium (womb lining) which is different to where yours will be. I was really nervous before hand but the nurses were fantastic. For me it was a chat first to get more medical history. Then it was undress from the waist down and a check externally and then an internal examination to check position of womb etc and to feel for any lumps/bumps. She also did an abdominal exam- basically feeling my tummy.
So it was like a normal , thorough gynae exam first. She used a speculum to check inside. I would have had a cervical screen done but had one previously. For me then the biopsy was taken from inside my womb.
Your procedure would be different as the biopsy will be taken from your vulva. There's a link below that will give you a bit more information so you can prepare yourself. However for me I found the best thing was to call the nurse who was going to do the procedure and she was able to talk me through what would happen step by step. And this really helped.
Vulval biopsy | Macmillan Cancer Support
Maybe also you could post on here to ask specifically about the biopsy and hopefully ladies who have had the procedure can offer you more specific support. You can post in the same way as this post but maybe put the title something like "Asking for advice re biopsy " or similar
Hope this helps a bit, Good Luck
Jane
