Thank you for your reply Mary. Did they give you any indication on an initial diagnosis or just say they were seeking a 2nd opinion? I just find it really confusing. 

The lattetr.

Hi Emma,

A very warm welcome to our forum.

I am sorry to hear that you have been waiting so long for your results and fully understand the worry that this must be causing you. In answer to your first question, yes, it is usual for some biopsies to be sent to other hospitals. Sometimes this will confirm a diagnosis, but in other cases, it may lead to further tests. It can take longer to get your results, when your biopsy is sent to another hospital, but I would have thought that you should have heard something by now. Why not phone your consultant's secretary and see if they have had the results back from the other hospital yet? Make sure that you let her know how long you have been waiting and how worried you are.  If they're not back yet, ask if she could chase them up for you and inform you when they arrive. 

She won't be able to give you any results herself - this will have to be done by the doctor. However, she should be able to persuade the doctor to contact you. Don't be afraid to ask the doctor to go over everything again. It is not at all unusual for us to forget what is said, in the heat of the moment.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine.

Thank you for your reply, there is some really useful advice there  

I last spoke to someone on Friday and she said the results were not back yet. She did say I should receive another appointment soon but then my phone cut off - twice and she didn't call back again. It could have been comical if I hadn't felt my future hinged on that one call. Frustratingly I had poor reception at the time as I parked in a layby to take the call as I didn't want to receive the news at work or at home (kids on half term) and at the time I thought that was the sensible option. I was even prepared with a list of questions this time so I did feel quite distraught when I couldn't speak to anyone. Unfortunately the appointment was booked for 450pm and as the phone cut off all of the staff had gone home by the time I managed to get from the switchboard through to the maxillofacial unit and the main reception told me to try again on Monday.

I actually have no idea if it was the Dr or secretary I spoke to and my appointment this time was booked with a different named Dr to the one who did my initial exam/Biopsy/first results at hosp/2x results on phone etc. 

I will definitely give the hospital a call on Monday and hopefully get some more information. 

I really appreciate you taking the time to reply. 

Emma x

Hi Emma,

I suspect that your phone calls probably made you more frustrated than you felt when you knew nothing. Do please phone again tomorrow. Doctors tend to be busy and can't always come to the phone, but their secretaries arrange all of their appointments for them, so they are the best people to contact.

I sincerely hope that you get somewhere this time.

Please let us know how you get on.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

After several calls today I finally managed to get in touch with the a random secretary and she tracked down my consultant. She confirmed my results are now back and I have an appointment on Wednesday morning. I feel better that I am going to get an answer either way and crossing everything until then xx

Hi Emma,

I am so glad to hear that you have an appointment at last. Can you bring someone with you to your appointment? I always go armed with a duplicate list of questions. I give one to my husband and I keep one for myself. As I'm asking the questions, he writes down the answers. This way we know exactly what was said at the time.  I sincerely hope that this turns out to be good news. Either way, you are better knowing.

I shall be thinking of you on Wednesday and have everything crossed in the meantime.

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. Remember that we are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Thank you Jolamine,

I'm not sure what I am doing yet.

I have always preferred to deal with things on my own. I totally have the support there but I struggle to ask for it as I think I would prefer to get all of the information on my own, deal with it and then speak to my husband and family. Saying that though, it didn't go too well at my first appointment as I literally forgot everything that was said so I am going to give that some thought.

If it is bad news my husband will be a wreck and I think I would find that harder to deal with if i'm honest. I will 100% arm myself with some questions this time and I think I will have the sense to ask them, whatever I decide to do.

Thank you for your kind words and support x

Hi Emma,

t is totally up to you. I know exactly what you mean about dealing with things on your own. I am the same, but this is the one time that I have found it helpful to have someone with me. It is a fact that most of us forget about 80% of the conversation before we leave the hospital and I suspect that it's more than that when we get bad news. Never be afraid to ask questions. There is no such thing as a stupid question.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx