Dealing with THE WAIT

Marve, this is just really great advice. I'm always trying to figure out how to get results more quickly. How soon do you find that the written report gets to the hospital records office?

Nothing but nothing is petty about cancer. The wait is one of the worst things, as our lives can depend on what we get for results. At my clinic I can often get my results early by calling--whoever is covering for my doctor when he's off (and he deserves his time off when I think of what he goes through with us too and his cute family)) can review the results and give the nurse the OK to give me those results over the phone. Try this if it's something you're comfortable with. But the waiting can get to you.

When I go in for any type of test, I always tell the testing center that I want them to provide me with a copy of the results. Sometimes if I can't get them to fax a copy right away, I'll go in and pick up the results rather than wait for them to come in the mail.

Lots of times I've seen my results well in advance of my doctor's appointment. After all, they are my test results, so who should have a greater right to see them than I do?

MoeKay

Pokadot, keep yourself busy, busy, busy. Read a good book, do something extra special over the weekend, anything to take your mind off the results of your tests. Orrrrr, do as some of the others suggested and call or go in and get your results. Whenever you get them, I hope it is nothing but wonderful news and you can move on up to 6-month check-ups.

Sole-I love that quote by Joseph Campbell.

Hugs to all,

At my hospital, the report is done and available in about 2 days. Saturdays included, so a CT on Friday would likely have the report ready Monday! Of course you have to check on the records dept hours too - mine is 8-4 on weekdays. If I get the more knowledgeable woman there, she is pulling up the report on her computer as I am filling out the request form. The last time was a younger, more unsure person, so I had to come back the next day for it.

Waiting and worrying is the worst thing about all this! But you've been given some very good advice here.

I think I'd call and ask the nurse what I could do to get my results. Tell her you don't want to wait for your dr to get back, and how can I get my results before the weekend?

I've found that the nurses are usually very sympathetic and will help you in any way they can. And I agree....no news is GOOD NEWS!!

I went through this in May waiting for my pap since my cancer. It was really working on my nerves, but all was ok.

I am keeping you in my prayers you get good news. I have fingers and toes all crossed for you the results are all good!!!!

I have to have a CT scan in November and another pap...so I will be also playing the waiting game.

Best of luck and try to keep busy.

Maxime said about going shopping.............I'm in too

Hugs
SA

Interestingly, after this talk of expediting test results, I went to the hospital today to tend to an inconsequential toenail issue and I saw a sign -- all cat, ultrasound, and mammogram results are now guaranteed within one day.

Ooh, I wish that would also have said pet scan, which I am due to have next week.

Back to the toenail thing, it turns out that those undergoing chemo are more likely to lose nails due to fungus running out of control during the period of immunosuppression. I ended up only losing about a quarter of my nail and the podiatrist said the fungus will clear up on its own now that it is open to the air.

Cricket - Joseph Campbell was an amazing man. The quote I have in my signature is only one of many brilliant things he said throughout his life. I just love the guy.

Pokadot - I hope by now you've either gotten your results early or found some peace in waiting. The not knowing is horrible, I know. My GP is so awesome that when I had my CT scan she gave orders for me to be held at the hospital until her office recieved the results. She was out of town that day for a wedding, but had informed her nurse all about me, so the nurse spoke to me on the phone as soon as she had my results. I am so new at this I didn't even think about asking for a copy of my CT and ultrasound results until I went in to see the ob/gyn. I have them now and from now on I will have hard copies of all of my results. What someone else said about being able to deal with what the results say is important, however. There were things on my results that the doctors didn't really talk to me about, so of course I was wondering "what's this." I still believe that knowledge is power, however, so I would rather know ALL the details. It just makes me feel more comfortable, personally.

Best of luck!