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8weeks for biopsy result

Ljgallagher111
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Hi 

I got diagnosed with stage 1b melanoma in nov 19, I've now had 3 other moles removed for biopsy and wider excision done on 14th Jan 

ive had 6 infections in my calf(melanoma site) with 6 courses of antibiotics 

i have been attending clinic every week and every week my consultant has promised me to call ASAP when my results are in 

last week I spoke with a senior charge nurse (as I had another infection in calf) and asked her if my biopsy results were In she told me on the phone that they were but she couldn't discuss them with me, and my consultant wasn't in that day but she would see if someone else can come and discuss them with me ..... a few hours later I went to the department to get my leg dressed and antibiotics and she then said that my results weren't in and that she looked at the wrong "bit"!!!!! On my notes

i am so angry and now think has she lied to me!! Are they back as this has now been 8 weeks!!! 
my gp said that she hasn't heard anything and that it's sounds like they have went to a specialist lab for further testing???

can anybody help with this.... is it normal? Has the senior charge nurse lied????

im climbing the walls with worry 

  • Offline

    Hi,

    I'm sorry you are having all this stress, especially with the infections you are suffering.

    I don't know what has happened where your results are concerned, or why the nurse back tracked, I can only guess a few scenarios. Either your results are back but for some reason she shouldn't have told you - possibly because they need to be examined by the MDT (Multi Disciplinary Team) before they are given to you. The MDT only meets once a week so that is why results sometimes take longer than usual. Another option is that she shouldn't have told you because they have been sent on for a second opinion to another specialist lab - this happens about 5-10% of the time when they don't get a conclusive result on first testing. When this happens it delays you receiving the results by a few weeks I'm afraid. The last option is that she looked at the wrong information & your results aren't back yet (they are currently taking 8 weeks at some hospitals). 

    Whatever the reason, I wouldn't focus on why the nurse backtracked - it's annoying but it won't get your results back any faster. Your GP won't get the results from the hospital until after the MDT so they will probably get them about the same time you will. Your GP may be correct about the second opinion from another lab but they really shouldn't have mentioned it as there is only a small chance this has happened & it just makes you worry more! If this is the case don't overthink it. They do it to be 100% sure that their first finding is correct - it's better to be checked & correct than not.

    Good luck & I hope you aren't waiting much longer & that they are clear. Please let us know how you get on.

    Angie (Stage 3 melanoma patient)

  • Offline in reply to AngieT

    Hi Angie 

    thanks so much for your info - I know that the MDT meeting are on Monday mornings 

    ive contacted my specialist nurse but she's off on holiday at moment and so is my consultants secretary

    ive been having night sweats and breathllessness which I pointed out to the nurse and she told me last wed that she would contact him to tell him this and she would ask him to contact me ... which he hasn't (apparently he's very good at patient follow up and he knows I'm concerned as I have expressed this on every visit)

    also I have a friend who had a biopsy of a mole 2 weeks after me and she has had her results (benign) 2 weeks ago

    im thinking the worst and struggling to sleep 

  • Offline in reply to Ljgallagher111

    I've sent you a message. Was your friend under the same hospital as each hospital has different histology departments and different workloads? 

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