Hello Thelma67, 

It's completely understandable with having a parent with incurable cancer that you are feeling very low and anticipating the worst but try if you can not to draw any conclusions until you get your diagnosis. Keep away from the temptation to look anything up online as this will only make you feel more anxious and will never give you accurate or reliable answers. You did very well to go and see your GP when you noticed that lump in the front left of your neck and it's good that you have already had your ultrasound. Don't be alarmed though by the fact that the technician couldn't tell you more about it and didn't say much - this is because this may be beyond their level of expertise and only the consultant can review it and tell you what it might be. So it's all now a waiting game and hopefully it won't be long now until your GP receives the report and gets in touch with you. If you haven't heard anything after a week or two, make sure you ring your surgery to chase your results. 

I thought I would share with you these useful tips to help you cope while waiting for important news. It mentions that our greatest weapon against waiting-time anxiety is distraction. So try and take your mind off it by doing things you enjoy, spending time with your children or reading a book. It's easier said than done though but it will help you deal with the stress of the next few days. 

Other members of our community may have been in a similar situation before and I hope that they will be along shortly to share their story with you.

I hope that it all turns out to be fine and that you get your results very soon. 

Best wishes, 

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hello Thelma67, 

It's completely understandable with having a parent with incurable cancer that you are feeling very low and anticipating the worst but try if you can not to draw any conclusions until you get your diagnosis. Keep away from the temptation to look anything up online as this will only make you feel more anxious and will never give you accurate or reliable answers. You did very well to go and see your GP when you noticed that lump in the front left of your neck and it's good that you have already had your ultrasound. Don't be alarmed though by the fact that the technician couldn't tell you more about it and didn't say much - this is because this may be beyond their level of expertise and only the consultant can review it and tell you what it might be. So it's all now a waiting game and hopefully it won't be long now until your GP receives the report and gets in touch with you. If you haven't heard anything after a week or two, make sure you ring your surgery to chase your results. 

I thought I would share with you these useful tips to help you cope while waiting for important news. It mentions that our greatest weapon against waiting-time anxiety is distraction. So try and take your mind off it by doing things you enjoy, spending time with your children or reading a book. It's easier said than done though but it will help you deal with the stress of the next few days. 

Other members of our community may have been in a similar situation before and I hope that they will be along shortly to share their story with you.

I hope that it all turns out to be fine and that you get your results very soon. 

Best wishes, 

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

Thank you Lucie, you’re right, Googling definitely doesn’t help. I spent most of Friday searching for positive stories, but ultimately it doesn’t matter what I read because it’s never going to say ‘Thelma67 you have nothing to worry about’ and quite a lot of stuff has scared me more. 
I’ve taken your advice and tried to stay distracted since, and have an appointment with my GP today as I saw online that my report is available (although hidden from me which I’m trying not to read in to).