I want to share my story for all those currently awaiting a diagnosis.

My GP put me on the 2 week cancer referral pathway about 2 months ago for a lump/swelling under my ear. It had been there for at least 2 months prior, but was painless. He told me 97% of referral don't have cancer, so I didn't worry too much. Around that time I had some cold symptoms - sore throat, a blocked nose on the side of the lump, but I didn't think too much about it.

After 2 weeks I saw a consultant who, after a quick examination, referred me for a biopsy. There was no mention of what it could be, and I continued to think all would be ok.

2 weeks later I had an ultrasound guided biopsy. While sat waiting for the doctor to come into the room I noticed my notes were on the screen. In big letters I saw "possible cancer" scrawled. The ultrasound showed a 2cm lump, and samples were taken. I was told such lumps were common and 80% were benign, but nothing more. I left that appointment feeling alarmed for the first time. Realising that there was a 20% chance of a "possible cancer" made things seem serious.

I'd been told that if I didn't get the results in 2 weeks I should phone the hospital. I began counting the days, each day expecting a phone call or letter. Days spent thinking: what if? What would cancer mean for me and how would I cope? I googled all the things it could be, trying to fill in the blanks, trying to find reassurance. For every case I found telling me my chances were good, I found others telling me they were not. I still had a blocked nose that came and went on one side, and started to notice a tingling sensation in my throat, my sense of taste was off and my tongue was discoloured. All these things started to add to up something more, and I felt a sense of impending doom. I put all plans for the future on hold.

After 2 weeks I called for the results. The biopsy had come back from the lab, and the secretary said she'd get the file over to the consultant and see if there was anything she could disclose on the phone. I was told to expect a call the following day. All day I waited anxiously, but the call never came. I chased up the following day and finally got a call back telling me I need to come in for the results. I feared the worst. If some things can be disclosed over the phone, which things can't? Certainly not the good things, I thought. This was on Thursday, and the appointment was set for the following Monday morning.

That weekend was dreadful. I was light headed, had an upset stomach, loss of apetite. I had acid reflux, sore throat, pains in my right side - all confirming to me that something was wrong. I was literally counting down the hours to my appointment. In my heart I felt bad news was coming, but I did find a strategy to get me through. On a piece of paper I wrote:

97% OF REFERRALS DON'T HAVE CANCER
THAT INCLUDES YOU
YOU ARE GOING TO BE OK!

Any time negative thoughts came into my head, I read that, and it helped.

I muddled through the weekend, spending hours watching TV and trying to lose myself in things to pass the time.

Finally Monday came. On the walk to the hospital I felt resigned to whatever was coming. I was still nervous and anxious, but felt some relief that the wait was almost over. Almost. After an hour's delay in the waiting room I was called in. Immediately it was not what I expected. The consultant was warm and smiling. He shook my hand, sat me down, did a quick examination of the lump and asked a few questions. He told me the pathology did not show anything concerning, and most likely it is a benign cyst within the parotid gland. I have the option of monitoring it over time, or having it removed in a fairly low risk operation.

I could not believe it. I really couldn't. I asked about the symptoms I had been experiencing, and they were explained away as allergies, acid reflux, and the result of tonsil stones (which I've always had issues with). He examined inside my nose and throat and told me it all looked healthy. In general, he seemed entirely unconcerned. I almost cried with relief.

I'm having a CT scan in a few weeks so they can get a better picture of the cyst, which will help understand it better and inform whether to operate.

In the meantime, I have my life back, which I will not take it for granted.

I promised myself if I got through this with good news I'd post on this forum. I found it incredibly helpful to find this place where other people are going through the same angiush, but I also realised many people must pass through here with positive outcomes without leaving a trace. After all this is a cancer forum, not a benign cyst forum! So here is my story in case it helps others. For anyone that finds themselves in my situation, know that it can turn out ok.

Best wishes and good luck to everyone.