Waiting for Biopsy results

[Anonymous]

OP -- hear any results yet? I am thinking of you...

[Anonymous]

Not yet. It's been seven days now.

I am figuring that no news is good news. I have also come to peace with whatever the outcome may be.

Thanks

[preschoolteacher]

Poster, I'm sorry that you are going through this difficult time. I'm sorry I have no advice to offer, but I just wanted to let you know I will pray for you and I hope everything works out.

[Anonymous]

Thank you. I appreciate it, more than you could know. I could really use all the prayers I can get.

[Anonymous]

I am a PP -- the one who gave you the shout-out. I, too, am praying for you. Please update us when you hear?

[Anonymous]

I know you are, thank you. I will absolutely post an update when I have one.

[Anonymous]

I had a mole biopsied in July only because I said I thought it looked a little funny. The derm said she'd go ahead and do it, but didn't feel it would really be anything. I was told the results may take as long as 1-2 months. Last night, 4 months later, I got a message from the office that the derm wanted to see me to discuss the biopsy results! Of course at that point the office was closed and now am awaiting the opportunity to speak with a live human about the situation. This seems completely unacceptable to me, especially since I assumed after 4 months things were likely fine and that's the reason for no response! It seems to border on negligence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: But my understanding is this - and medical professionals can correct me - that if there is something horribly wrong: 1) the Dr. can usually tell something is up during the test and 2) the pathologist would contact the Dr. ASAP and you would hear from the Dr. ASAP. So I think if it has been 10 days, it is probably fine.

Not necessarily true. I've had cancer twice and both times the doctors came out of the ER after the biopsies thinking the tissue looked normal and there was little to worry about. It was SO devastating to then get the news that the biopsies were positive. This has happened to several other people I know and my advice now is always to just wait for the actual results. As agonizing as it is to wait, I'd rather wait and have a definitive answer then to think I'm in the clear and then have the rug pulled out from under me. The first time around, my husband and I had even had a celebratory dinner because the doctor seemed so positive it wasn't cancer.

For OP, yes, the wait is agonizing, especially if you're pretty Type A and have been culling through all the information that's out there. Keep yourself as busy as possible for now and try to get into the mindset of just taking it one step at a time. If it's nothing, you can jump for joy. If it's something, tackling it step-by-step will be the only way to save your sanity, especially if you're a planner. The worst thing for me was the lack of control I had, especially at the beginning. Once treatment starts you have something to focus on and feel like you're doing something, it's the down times b/w biopsy/diagnosis and diagnosis/treatment starting that are hard to get through if you're not good at compartmentalizing.

I'll be thinking of you and hoping for great news.

[Anonymous]

Why would anyone resurrect this thread, which is two months shy of being three years old? The OP never provided an update. That's not an optimistic sign.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I can't believe this thread has come back up but I figured and update is in order.

I didn't update at the time because of a death in the family and I had to leave town very suddenly. I did not have cancer. Since then I have improved my diet and a lot of the damage has been reversed.

[Anonymous]

OP, wishing you well. Several things to do:
--Get off the internet--it will only make you worry more.
--Rely on friends and family to keep you very busy for the next week. Bake cakes, go to lots of movies, stay very busy.
--Know that this part could be even more painful than a bad diagnosis. My mom, who had breast cancer, said that the not knowing and not being able to move forward was much harder than having a positive diagnosis.

[Anonymous]

OP,
10:00. What a relief to hear from you. I'm glad you're healthy.

[Anonymous]

Me too.