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First follow up appointment- good or bad news?

MussyK
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Hello,

I was put in the 2ww non site specific suspected cancer pathway 4 weeks ago, following abnormal CT scans and ultrasound on Iiver,

I had MRI scan just over a week ago, followed my various cancer marker blood tests. Which I don’t know the results. 

I have just recieved a letter, for a follow up appointment with the oncologist on Tuesday. As it’s face to face, I’m very anxious. Can they give you good or bad news? Either way face to face?

my symptoms have been full deep pain in my mid back where bra strap sits, and a pushing pain at the bottom of my left shoulder blade. Tiredness, nausea, weight loss. My late sister had liver/pancreas/bowel cancer at 37, I am 49. CT scan showed my pancreas was ok , although lesions on liiver so I guess an MRI on my liver is all that are investigating but the pain I am getting is nowhere near my liver.. also I get a dull deep pain in my right leg at night only, I am worried the liver MRI is the wrong test but I have to trust what they are doing.

I am wondering if anyone else has had similar symptoms?

hoping for some advice ,

thank you

kim 

  • Hi Kim,

    Welcome to Cancer Chat. I'm sorry you haven't received a reply up to now - I see that your appointment is tomorrow. It's not possible to assume what they will say either way, and it's quite normal to have a face-to-face discussion to discuss any results.

    I hope the appointment goes OK - do make a note of any particular questions or concerns you may have beforehand, so that you can discuss everything you want to.

    In the meantime hopefully you'll get some more replies to your post here, particularly if anyone with similar experience sees it.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Ben
    Cancer Chat Moderator

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    Hi Kim, 

    I can only reply from a patient’s point of view. A face to face appointment is normal. I had two different cancer scares years apart but received the results face to face both times despite one being a false alarm and the other a stage 4 cancer. 

    Regardless of what the news is, you will have lots of questions bouncing around in your head. Write them down before your appointment and write down the answers (or take someone with you to do this).

    This may seem like daft advice but research shows that stressed patients forget or misremember over half of the things they are told face to face. 

    Good luck
    Dave

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