Hi Emma, I'm sorry to hear you are going through this awful period of waiting. To be honest, I think it's cruel to say we'll see you in 3 months if all is clear, and then send you an appointment for two weeks' time. Why don't they just say you will hear back once they have the results? No wonder you're frantic with worry. I found a lump in my breast last summer and the three weeks I had to wait for a clinic appointment were very scary at times and yes, my mind went to some very dark places. But once they told me it looked suspicious from the imaging (which I took to mean it was probably breast cancer), a lot of the anxiety subsided. During that initial period my faith helped me, and the support of family. But I also tried to keep busy, went for walks, and used music to relax and calm my fears. I am praying that you will get good news, and I hope you will let us know how you get on. Hopefully some more people will reply and share their tips for coping with the anxiety of waiting for results. Take care and sending you a big hug, Amy x

Hi Emmalou,

I totally feel your frustration and worry on this.  I had a gastroscopy (which was horrendous!) and they found gastric erosion and ulcers so they took biopsies to check for gastrinomas and something called Zollinger-Ellison.  They said it would take "a few weeks" for results and put me on strong PPI meds at that point with an appointment to be sent out for another gastroscopy in 8 weeks time to check if the meds were helping at all.  At this same appointment I was told my qfit colorectal cancer test had come back positive so I would need an urgent colonoscopy.  It's now been 5 weeks (today) and I've heard nothing.  I called gp and they said still no results at week 3.  Last week they then called me wanting to a blood test to check my ferritin and hemoglobin but again, said there were no results yet.  I called the endoscopy coordinator who has said they downgraded my colonoscopy appointment from urgent to category 1 so it means I should have it within 12 weeks of the referral (so possibly 7 more weeks to go) but when I asked why it was downgraded and if my results were back she said it was downgraded as they have a backlog and a positive qfit is usually "just a category 1".  I'm at my wits end.  I'm still unwell with the symptoms and bed bound (though the meds are helping the bile a little) and I'm a mum of 3.  I'm very lucky that I live with my parents after having a TIA several years ago so they are helping.  I feel like I can't talk to anyone about how I feel though as I don't want to burden them and also don't want to seem dramatic as it could be nothing serious.  The waiting is so hard as our mind races and goes to every possible outcome.  I'm hoping the fact the results are taking so long means it isn't cancerous?  I don't know though so I can understand your concerns.  To say they won't see you for 3 months if it's all clear then just send an appointment for a few weeks time with no information as to why is awful.  Your mind must be racing.  I wish I could do something to help but I just wanted you to know I'm hear and if you need a chat I totally understand.  I hope all goes well at your appointment and it's just been so quick as they've had a cancellation or something. 
 

Sarah xx

It really is difficult when you have to wait for results and the why you get them sometimes. My advice is to try to stay busy and try and stay positive. I've had irregular bleeding and thickened womb lining also. Results from my biopsies were no cancer but no cancer does not necessarily mean no treatment or immediate discharge. The meeting with the consultant may be just to discuss your options, to get your womb lining and bleeding back to normal. For me that was the mirena coil and further biopsies after 6 and 12 months but we are all different.

At Christmas I had a MRI for suspected pancreatic cancer also and got the letter a week  later but the appointment with the consultant was just over two weeks later than that and I was petrified but the consultant wanted to tell me they had found nothing on the MRI  and talk through next steps in my investigation.

I wish you well and hope you receive good news at your appointment