Hi Oliviacait and thank you for your post.

I’m really sorry to hear what you and your dad are going through. This sounds like a really hard time for both of you.

Waiting to find out what’s going on can be hard, especially when you’ve already been through two cancer scares, and now this one, so it’s no wonder you’re feeling worried. Your dad has Parkinson’s too, which can make things even more stressful.

NHS England has introduced a new target called the Faster Diagnosis Standard (FDS).  The target is that you should not wait more than 28 days from referral to find out whether you have cancer or not. These are only guidelines and many hospitals are having difficulty in meeting them.

I would recommend that you call the dermatology team at the hospital to enquire about a possible date for surgery. You could also ask if your dad be put on a list to get an earlier appointment if someone cancels.

People often experience a whole range of emotions when waiting for results. We know that talking can often relieve some of the distress and anxiety. There's some useful advice about talking therapies and how to access them on the NHS website. In the meantime,  Anxiety UK has a good website with helpful tips on how to deal with anxiety in these situations. 

I hope you hear about an appointment soon.

Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5 pm Monday to Friday.

Kind regards

Tina