2ww cancer wait

[ForFairMoose]

Hello- I thought I would make an account and a post to hear if there’s anyone going through the same thing right now as my head is an absolute mess and some of the previous threads have been really helpful calming me down. im sorry if this is the wrong place to post.

I’m on the 2ww urgent referral for suspected cancer in my neck. It’s a hard fixed lump. The GP referred me to the hospital and the specialist felt it and said I seem well, im 24 years old and he thinks it’s a reactive lymph node. He said “I’m not worried about it- why are you?” so he thought it was a lymph node but is wanting an ultrasound to check for certain.

The ultrasound scan was scheduled for my 25th birthday but I got a letter this morning saying I’ve got it on the 29th instead so next Thursday and a handwritten note was enclosed saying to bring someone in case I need a biopsy. The appointment in September on my birthday is still ongoing but clearly it is not for the scan. I don’t know what it is for.

I’m so so scared that the consultant/specialist lied to me to reassure me that it was lymph nodes and has put something awful on the system so I’ve been pushed forward for ultrasound and biopsy :( Why would they mention a biopsy if he had written he thinks it is a lymph node? I’m terrified that the appointment in September is going to be my sit down and get told I have cancer. On my birthday too.

I feel constantly sick and near tears. Is anyone else in the same boat right now? I’m sorry to go on and on I don’t really know who else to talk to. I think my partner is scared too and I don’t want to tell my mum as it’ll worry her and she lives quite far away so I feel it would be cruel to trouble her while she can’t do anything except worry.

Okay, so a few things here. Your doctor would not lie to make you feel better.

He has looked at the lump, said what he thinks it is, and has booked you for a scan to confirm that. He has asked you to take someone with you because on the tiny offchance it is something more serious, having a second person there to take notes is important when you are struggling to take in the news.

I'm not sure why the other appt is still live. Probably so he can explain the results of the scan to you. You could ring and speak to his administrator, and ask.

It's hard not to worry but the odds are hugely in your favour. Good luck.

Hey there,
Just wanted to send you some good wishes. It is hard waiting for something like this, and hopefully you will get some good advice about dealing with the wait.
I found it helpful to think about the consequences positively, along the lines of well, even if it is cancer, they will have caught it and we can start treatment. But always with the caveat, and hopefully it isn't.
Try not to catastrophise, as hard as that is.

Best wishes, and fingers crossed for you.

Thank you for your reply. I get bad anxiety and find it easy to spiral into my head about these things. I’m off work as well as I’m starting a new job the week after next so it’s not great to have all of this leisure time just to sit by myself and dwell. If I was at work instead of in the house alone I think I’d be much better.

The appt on 29th is the ultrasound and potential biopsy, I’m not sure why there’s one in September, it just says it’s an outpatient appointment with the consultant i guess maybe results.

I found the whole thing very professional and speedy.
I had a lump in my neck removed as a teenager. It was a neurofibroma in my case. Here, the doctor has even reassured you. They have probably used the 2 week pathway simply to get you looked at quicker. My consultant ( i have other issues) says unless they put urgent things simply don't get looked at.

I wouldn't worry too much about it. Worrying achieves nothing. Just robs you of your present.

Thank you. You’re all very kind to share replies and stories with me. I’m going to get offline and go outside because I’m not achieving anything sitting here in my own head.