Is no news good news?

[twirlsandwhirls]

Hello,

So I have been under investigation for my liver since giving birth last year.

I had an ultrasound which showed 2 small shadows. I then had blood tests to measure my liver which were all high. I subsequently had to have two MRIs and a several more blood tests.

Eventually, my liver levels returned to normal but the MRI still showed two small shadows. The consultant said that they were too small to actually say what they were but thinks it's probably little blood vessels or cysts.

They asked for a repeat scan in 6 months time to see if these changed.

Fast forward 10 months (thanks to the pandemic) I had a repeat MRI scan. I was told that the results would be back in 10 days but it's not over that.

I don't know if I should ring and ask. I'm so scared that the shadows are cancer. I feel ok in myself.

If it was something serious would I have been called sooner by now?

I'm so sorry you're going through this but it sounds like you are getting good care in terms of investigations and tests etc.

It's almost impossible to say if "no news is good news". When I had CIN3 cells following my routine smear test, they notified me within less than a week, and the colposcopy etc was booked within the month of the smear.

But when I had a recent smear, they advised me that "no news does NOT necessarily means good news" and advised me to call if I hadn't heard anything within the time frame given. My results (clear) were provided in a similar time frame to when I was notified about the abnormal cells.

I'd probably give them a call if I was you, particularly if you're feeling a bit wobbly about it. But bear in mind they may not have your results yet.

Got all my fingers crossed for you x

Thank you.

I meant to say it's now been over ten days. Ten days was this Wednesday just gone and I gave them an extra few days just in case.

Knowing my luck I'll get a letter tommorrow.

I'm guessing with bad news they would call rather than write?

Don't know where you live but nothing is normal at the moment in the NHS. I think I read that one in sixteen had covid in London last week. A lot of those are going to be NHS employees and even before covid there was a national shortage of radiologists.

Your recent MRI is basically for monitoring. It's belt and braces for shadows they provisionally diagnosed as benign. Cysts are v common. I've got them, and - sorry if you're squeamish - if you've ever cooked liver and bacon, it's rare to get a slice that doesn't have a hole in it. That's an ex-cyst.

But even if the chances are majorly on your side, that doesn't mean you won't worry and waiting is the pits. Mega sympathies. Just give the two weeks and ring to see if your results are back. If they're not, ask when you're likely to hear and how. Bear in mind that the admin person might be off sick at the moment so you really can't draw any conclusions about what the timings mean. I once waited 4 weeks before thinking it was safe enough to ring over a re-scan of a dodgy lymph node and they'd completely forgotten to let me know because it was fine.

Fingers crossed for you.

Where we are, it's taking 6 weeks for mri scans to be read and reported.

So 10 days maybe over ambitious a timescale.

I was told by letter that they’d found a narrowing near my liver after a failed colonoscopy and a colonography. It was bowel cancer.
I had my 3 year ct scan 8 days ago and waiting to hear if I’m still clear.
I feel your pain and worry x x x

This is what was sent to me before my scan.
Tried ringing but just got the engaged line.
Do you think I should be worried or am I just being a hypochondriac. Because that's what my other half thinks lol

Ring gp to see if they have been sent results, as they get them sent electronically.

Thank you.

I emailed and rang the secretary and they hadn't even looked at the scan yet. They will be now though.

I asked the secretary that if it was bad news would I have known by now. And she said yes as the radiologist would have flagged this up.

Does this mean I should be ok then?

I'd take it as positive that they aren't too worried.

Don't tie yourself in knots worrying. I know it's easier said than done, but you'll drive yourself insane! (Coming from someone who used to have severe health anxiety).

Thank you. I will try not too.

I'm guessing if it was serious I would've been contacted by now

So just an update...I'm still waiting.
Surely after three weeks it can't be important right?

I am sure you are fine and there is nothing to worry about. I had an ultrasound about and issue and they said the results you be back in about 2 weeks and to contact my Doctor for the results.

While driving home (about a 15 minute drive) my phone was ringing when I got home it was from my Doctor's surgery saying that they had made an appointment for me that evening to discuss my results.

If there is something wrong they would have contacted you urgently.