Hi JG39,

I don't have the experience of what you are going through, but I am awaiting results of a biopsy on my lung, and didn't want to leave your post unanswered.

I completely get how frightening this pathway is, it's the toughest thing we'll ever had to deal with. The best advice I can give you is to try to focus on one appointment and one procedure at a time to preserve your own sanity. If you struggle with medical appointments (I do) ask your GP for some help. I was prescribed diazepam to help cope with all the scans, because I just went to pieces each time. That was useful. 

Reach out for psychological support - your hospital may be able to refer you for counselling services.

Macmillan also offer 6 free sessions through BUPA, you can go on line and book. I booked a telephone consultation for Wednesday this morning.

Remember you are going through a lot. Be kind to yourself, you will have good and bad days. It's OK to have a wobble, if you do, get on to the Macmillan cancer support line, I've used it several times to just vent. But try not to stay in a bad place.

Remember that you can only control yourself, so eat and drink well to keep fit as you will need that if they decide to do more tests on you. Keep busy and keep as normal as you possibly can. I've managed to have a decorating spree to keep myself busy and distracted.

There is a lot of waiting and wondering, which personally I've found more challenging than all the physical stuff I've been through. (The biopsy was done through surgery - but I'm home now and 10 days on starting to feel a lot stronger.)

Hang on to hope. It's always there. Here's my order of hopes right now:

1. I hope that my biopsy isn't any thing to worry about and they've got rid of my unwelcome visitors.

2. I hope that if I do need further treatment, they have treatments and I can get through it. I've had all sorts of tests, I feel like a lab rat, but I am still standing! 

3. I hope that if I am facing cancer, they've caught it early.

Wishing you well, and keep me posted. Sending you a smile if you need it today. Helen xx