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Biopsy result - Would they tell me to bring someone with me if it was bad news?

loobiloo98
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Long story short I’m waiting for biopsy results for a lymph node in my neck which was done 3 weeks ago. I rang up on Thursday to chase and was told the results weren’t back from the lab yet and not to expect to hear back before the 26th as the consultant is on holiday, but this morning I had a call from the ENT secretary to ask if I could come in on Wednesday morning. She didn’t say anything else and I regret not asking her any questions about the appointment as it is much quicker than I had been expecting, realistically the results can only have come in on Friday/today and I expected to get a letter not a call so I’m fearing the worst.

I’m clinging on to the fact that she didn’t ask me to bring anyone with me though. I was wondering if other people have received a diagnosis whether they always tell you to bring someone, or if this just depends on the hospital/consultant?

I’m glad it’s not long to wait either way and I’ll update the outcome when I know more.

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    Hi Loobiloo,

    I am glad to hear that you have managed to get an earlier appointment than expected for your biopsy results. This should save you another anxious week of waiting. Please don't read anything into the fact that you got a phone call, instead of the letter that you were expecting. There could be many reasons for this, for example, your consultant may have returned early, or they could have a locum in, or they could just have had a sudden cancellation (which is not unusual with cancer clinics).

    The chances are that the consultant's secretary was busy trying to fit people into whatever appointments had become available and forgot, or simply omitted, to tell you to bring someone with you. Whether the news is good or bad, it is always a good idea to have someone with you. Either way, you are likely to have questions and you will find it helpful to have someone with you to remember the answers. Most of us forget about 80% of the consultation conversation, before we leave the hospital grounds. 

    You will also find it helpful to write down any questions you have before your appointment, so that you don't forget to ask something important. I would also agree with Managingit, that it is always safer to have someone to drive you to and from your appointment, if at all possible.

    Having said all this, I hope and pray that all turns out well for you and that nothing untoward is found. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

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    Hi Loobiloo,

    I am glad to hear that you have managed to get an earlier appointment than expected for your biopsy results. This should save you another anxious week of waiting. Please don't read anything into the fact that you got a phone call, instead of the letter that you were expecting. There could be many reasons for this, for example, your consultant may have returned early, or they could have a locum in, or they could just have had a sudden cancellation (which is not unusual with cancer clinics).

    The chances are that the consultant's secretary was busy trying to fit people into whatever appointments had become available and forgot, or simply omitted, to tell you to bring someone with you. Whether the news is good or bad, it is always a good idea to have someone with you. Either way, you are likely to have questions and you will find it helpful to have someone with you to remember the answers. Most of us forget about 80% of the consultation conversation, before we leave the hospital grounds. 

    You will also find it helpful to write down any questions you have before your appointment, so that you don't forget to ask something important. I would also agree with Managingit, that it is always safer to have someone to drive you to and from your appointment, if at all possible.

    Having said all this, I hope and pray that all turns out well for you and that nothing untoward is found. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

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