Lesion on liver...hand hold please

[paralysedbyinertia]

Went for a scan in relation to suspected gallstones, but they have found a large lesion on my liver. I'm being referred for more tests via the two-week cancer pathway. I'm so, so scared. Trying to stay strong for my family and not to assume the worst, but can't seem to stop my mind from going there. My daughter is only 15 and she still needs me.

Thanks @Superpanicky, that sounds like a good strategy. I went for my blood test this morning, but won't get the results till next week. Then I guess there will be some more scans at the hospital, still waiting to hear from them about the details.

I'm feeling quite unwell today - stomach ache and diarrhoea. Not sure if it's a sign of something sinister or just psychosomatic - I was fine yesterday until I got the call from the GP. Didn't sleep well, so I guess that won't have helped.

I'm struggling to motivate myself to get on with stuff, but I think some distraction would be good. I need to change my mindset. I'm telling myself that, if it isn't cancer, then I don't need to waste the next couple of weeks worrying about it. And if it is cancer, then I don't want to spend a single moment of the precious time that I have left on fretting about it. Either way, it achieves nothing. Now I just how to figure out how to put that into practice.

Really hope all your tests come back ok, just keep telling yourself that even if they don’t, it doesn’t mean it will be too late to do anything, as other say it can be very treatable and as someone else mentioned 80 per cent of those 2-week pathways are something benign anyway.

Thank you @Superpanicky, I appreciate the support.

Your diarrhoea and stomach ache could well be the anxiety, I had some tests a couple of months ago and I convinced myself it was something bad, it wasn't, but during the time waiting I had diarrhoea, stomach ache and pins and needles. anxiety can cause the symptoms. Even since finding out I'm okay, just having that scare has caused massive health anxiety. Really hope you tests come back clear x

Hi

Poor you. I had BC cancer four years ago (it's my first operation anniversary today!). All fine but had/have regular bouts of fatigue so had every blood test going and liver scans. A blob was found so then had ultrasound under contrast. Two scary minutes while they watched a screen and muttered but not cancer. Been for ct scan - blob still there. Essentially, liver lesions or blobs are very common. My oncologist and me decided that if it was cancer, I'd br very ill by now so we aren't bothering with it. The symptoms today are perfectly normal stress 'I think I've got cancer' symptoms' - happens to us all. The ability of the mind to interpret every ache wince, whatever as something horrible is legendary and I have that T shirt several times.

Same as others, I had one, turned out to be benign FNH. Very common in women apparently

Thanks all for your positive stories and reassurance. It really helps!

You are a VOMIT I should think!

Victim Of Modern Imaging Technology

You'll probably have had this lesion for years and it's only been spotted due to the scan you were having for something else. You don't mention other symptoms of liver cancer - and you'd more than likely be aware of those! - so please, some deep breaths and try and remain calm.

Distract yourself with a gripping book. Be proactive and call the centre if you can, offering to take a cancellation. Eat proper food

Honestly I think you'll be just fine

I have cancer so totally get the fear factor. Meditation is the main thing that gets me through it, that and to stay in the present moment and not spiral into a dark place. Insight timer is free and my favourite.

As an aside my dad had liver cancer, had an op and is totally fine 5 years later.

Sending positive vibes your way 🙏

Thank you @PineappleDreamer. I hope you're right about me being a VOMIT! I'll take that...

I'm sorry to hear that you have cancer, @quinin. I do meditate and will try to use that to help me deal with whatever might lie ahead. It's really encouraging to hear about your dad. Sending lots of positive vibes your way as well.

Hi, sorry I've got no experience of this myself but just wanted to tell you that I read your post and I'm thinking about you and wishing you well. You sound like a strong person, the hardest part is waiting for results isn't it? especially during weekends. Stay strong x

I had lesions found in 2017, during a investigations for gallbladder. I was TERRIFIED even now it makes me shudder with how scared I was and triggers anxiety, they classed mine as benign and I have them checked once a year by MRI. It's so scary but my consultant said so common - just that a lot of people have never had an mri so would never know. A gp called them incidentalomas, as in only found by sheer chance or you may never have known they were there and go about your business. Wishing you luck, and hopefully they will see you soon to put your mind at rest

How are you @paralysedbyinertia
Offering a hand hold while you wait for any results x

Thanks so much for checking in on me @80sBestYear. I'm doing ok. The blood test results came back as normal, which was encouraging. It seems that I'm going to have to wait until late June for the MRI, so I'm trying to put it out of my mind for now because I can't keep worrying about it for the next month. Sometimes I have moments of panic, but most of the time, I'm managing to stay positive. Fingers crossed!

@paralysedbyinertia that's reassuring that your blood results are normal.
Also that they are waiting until late June for MRI also means it not that urgent.
I know the panic feeling; I went through some tests recently and the wait was awful, I would have okay days and then the next day I would be struck with panic and couldn't think straight. I was all clear but even since I have panic days thinking did they miss something.
Really hope the blood results have given you some reassurance xx

I was thinking the same. I very much doubt they'd wait until late June to do the MRI if they were properly worried about cancer.

Thank you for your support.They brought forward the MRI scan so I had it today. Not a pleasant experience but I'm glad that it's done. The doctor has asked me to call about the blood test results, so although the receptionist said that they were normal, I am feeling quite anxious about that. Trying not to panic, but it comes in waves.

@paralysedbyinertia sending you a handhold

Thank you @TheseAreTheTimea.

I'm currently waiting for a phone call from the doctor, and could do with a handhold right now if anyone is available?

Hoping that it's a good outcome for you Inertia . Waiting is the worst.

Handhold here from me to you x

Hope all is well.

Good luck @paralysedbyinertia I hope all goes well

Thank you all. Waiting is indeed the worst. Trying to distract myself but it's hard. A part of me just wants to know. The other part doesn't want to know at all.

Waiting is the worse. You can do this. X