Coping whilst waiting for results

Hi, I’m currently waiting for biopsy results after finding a large lump at the base left side of my neck and having abnormal blood test results. I’m 23 and I’m struggling to cope with the wait. I’ve just started a new job and I’m having to take quite a lot of time off because i can’t focus on anything else. Has anyone got any tips for coping whilst waiting for results? Any advice is appreciated :)

  • Sorry to read what you’re going through. Waiting is horrid isn’t it, and there’s so much of it …

    It sounds trite perhaps, but my mantra presently is one day at a time. Like you I’m finding it so hard to focus on anything. My mind goes to what-if land. I have to grab it back and ground it.

    Different things work for different people, and none of them make the waiting go any quicker.

    Examples of things I do are kick my shoes off in the park or garden and settle down and look and listen. It’s never long before a robin or a squirrel comes along.

    I also got a bracelet, mine says temporary on it, but it would work just as well with 2024 or whatever on it. What I have, and what you have, is temporary, it should be gone by 2024. If I’m feeling tearful I look at my bracelet and think along those lines.

    And in between appointments I draw charts of the days and colour them in one by one as each day passes. To me that’s tangible. I can see time passing.

    I’ve wittered on for long enough. I really hope all goes well for you.
    Big hug xx