Would I be told to bring someone to appt if it's bad news?

[canteatlovefood]

I have a follow up appt next week for mri results. Appt was made 2 days after the mri test for a week later. The most likely outcome is being diagnosed with chrons.

My husband and mum keep offering to come with me, which actually makes me more nervous.

Would the consultant tell me to bring someone if he thought it necessary?

I wouldn't have thought so. I just think that - if you would like someone with you then you would take them. It's not like they would send any different message / appointment letter if it is going to be good news, or bad news.

When I had my cancer diagnosis, there was no indication on the letter they would suggest bringing someone with me. I think most people would do so, and then be relieved if actually it wasn't bad news.

I would say yes actually. I think they would ask you to bring someone along it is was bad news.

DH was told to bring a friend when his news was less than good, it was at the height of lockdown and all of his other appointments had been solo ones.

In my experience they wouldn’t behave any differently regardless of what the news was. You get your follow up appointment, you go, they deliver the news. They expect you to prepare for the worst yourself, and plan accordingly if you think you will need support.

They may or may not ask you to bring someone. I ask patients to bring someone if they are older or vulnerable or if the decision is a big or complicated one or if there is bad news. They might not. It’s an individual thing.

Most of the time the appointment just goes out by Mail in an automated way and the secretary doesn’t have time to make extra phone calls.

Not necessarily I was not told to bring anyone when told cancer and could be stage 4. Someone I know was told to bring someone and was all clear.