Hi Vilema. Welcome to the forum.

This is one of those situations where all I can say is you are not alone. I think nearly everyone here has been through the same agony and uncertainty that you're going through now. The wait for results is agonising and you just want it to be over.  I went through it a couple or times and it's horrible.

I think most us do a mixture of distracting activity and calming relaxation exercises. I suspect many houses get decluttered and redecorated whilst waiting for results than at any other time.  Maybe now is the time to embark on that large project you've been putting off because it's too hard to contemplate. Maybe that way there will be something positive out of this period.

When it comes to relaxation, I found this short video particularly helpful: How to meditate in a minute

There are plenty of others on YouTube so have a hunt around. 

Hi Velima,

You have been given good advice on how to distract yourself while waiting for your results. I'm afraid the waiting time can differ between hospital trusts dependent on how busy their histology department is. Some patients wait about 10 working days whilst others can wait a further week or two. Also, if the results are positive for melanoma, they have a multi disciplinary meeting (MDT) where they discuss the next step in treatments before you are called back for the results. Your GP will not have access to your results until after this has happened and the hospital usually contact you with an appointment to see the consultant to get your results face to face. It's better to get them from the consultant because the GP will not know what the next step will be. I suggest that, if you haven't heard anything by the 11th Feb you contact the consultant's Secretary. Good luck and let us know how you get on,

Angie (melanoma patient)

Thank you Angie. It's all new to me. I stay positive. Thank you for your advice .

Ewa

Hi, I'm in the same boat as you were, and I'm feeling incredibly anxious. I was fast tracked for excisional biopsy of a mole on my abdomen. I had it checked out years ago and was told the reason it was an irregular shape was because it was two moles merged together and not to worry.  A few months ago it became itchy so I tried moisturising it and when it didn't improve went to my gp, who referred me under the 2week rule.  Dermatologist's letter to doctor said it was very suspicious and it was removed, taking a wide margin     ( 2inch scar for a 9mm mole.) I'm based in Liverpool and have been told that I have a 6 week wait for results!!! The doctor told me this is just how long it takes as they are sent away, and no news doesn't necessarily mean good news. 6 Weeks!!! I'm already thinking the worst and this wait in agony, how did you cope? Is it rude to ring the hospital and pester them? How did you get on? I'm hoping your results were goodx

Hi Prawnie,

I had 2 excisional biopsies about 8 weeks ago. One was on my face , just under my eye. The other was on my leg, just above my ankle. I was advised to return the following week to get the stitches under my eye removed. I was also told that I could get the stitches in my leg removed by my practice nurse after 2 weeks.

I was told to make an appointment to get my results 4 weeks after my biopsy. When the appointment came through it was for July (4 months later). I phoned the consultant's secretary thinking that she had mistaked 4 weeks for 4 months, but she told me that this was the first available appointment.

When I returned to get my stitches removed, I saw the nurse who had assisted at my biopsy. When I told her about my return appointment, she said that this wasn't right. She told me that the plastic surgeon was in the unit that day and she fetched him in. He went and phoned his secretary and told me that he had rushed my biopsies through as an emergency and that the results were already in. He then told me that both lesions were benign.

I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer 8 and 9 years ago respectively. In this time, I have learned that it is always best to ask at the time of having any test, when the results are likely to be back. They cannot always give a definite time, but even an approximate timescale,gives me an idea of when to start phoning the consultant's secretary.

By all means phone the hospital and ask when they are likely to get your results back. This is always a scary time, but I hope that it all turns out well for you too. Try to keep yourself busy in the meantime. This might help to distract you from the wait.

Please let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Vilema.Ive waited nearly four weeks for a CT scan results originally for kidney stones. Since then I've had many more issues it's led me to believe it's not stones and to be honest I don't think i ever did. Times a ticking now so on Friday last I went to doctors and requested my bloods to be done. Hopefully today I will have results. I'm hoping then my doctor can phone hospital and find out what's going on. Every day now I have pains and I'm so frightened.im 63 and just want to get this sorted. All the very best to you.

Hi prawnie,

A 6 week wait is the longest I have heard of for results. I know that histology depts and hospital clinics are getting heavier workloads due to the increase in patients presenting problems like this and it's very stressful for the patient. As I mentioned in an earlier comment, once your results come back there is then a delay whilst your consultant studies them and then presents them to the Multi Disciplinary Team (if they are positive). I suggest that, once the 4 week mark is reached, you ring your consultant's secretary and ask if the results are back. They may be able to give you an idea if they've been received and are being studied but they won't be able to give you any further information. Meanwhile, try and find something to do that will distract you from the worry and waiting. Hopefully they will come back clear and you can breathe a sigh of relief. Please let us know how you get on,

Angie (melanoma patient)