I am entering the final 6 months of my PhD. As an international student I have to complete medical tests in order to extend my visa for my write up. I had a full medical last week and I have found out there are some worrying abnormalities and I have to go for further tests. A growth has been found in my throat that I may have to get removed and have a biopsy on it. I also had some abnormal blood results which show I have low haemoglobin levels. I am sure it is nothing but I am so freaked out. I am only 26 and am really fit and healthy. I am known amongst my friends as the exercise addict.

This is so not what I need right now. I have to go and see a specialist on Thursday. Seriously don't know how i'm going to get any work done until I know what's going on!

Oh, how awful for you! A very stressful time.

I know it must be really difficult not to worry about the growth they've found, but it's very likely that whatever this is can be dealt with and that you will be absolutely fine. The really difficult thing is handling the stress and worry, especially as you're away from home. Have you got friends/housemates/people close by you can chat to and share your worries with? I would say try not to put pressure on yourself about the work you need to do - be kind to yourself, worrying about things can really wear people down and make it hard to concentrate. I imagine taking a few days off isn't really an option but some time to relax and unwind and do things you enjoy might help get you through the next few days. If you do need to keep working, are there some relatively easy tasks you can assign yourself? Or something a little more enjoyable that you can work on this week, just until you know more where you stand?

Good luck with the appointment on Thursday, fingers crossed for it. And let us know how you're doing, too.

Take the time off work to get tested and relax for a bit. If you are the sort to worry a lot and need a distraction, just work a little less than normal. Try and pamper yourself for a few days. Best wishes.

Oh heck what a worry for you :-( its likely that its nothing, the vast majority of these things are, but you're young, you're fit and healthy so if it were to be something dreadful (so unlikely) then I'm sure that they could sort you out with no problems xxxx For now try and relax and be kind to yourself. Work if it helps, if not then do something fun. You won't take your mind off it, how can you... but it might just help you get through the next few days xxx Thinking of you

My friend's father (who is much older and less healthy than you) very recently had a biopsy on a growth in his throat. The family was worried sick for a couple of weeks. Turned out to be nothing. I don't know the details of what the growth was, but the doctors are happy that it is not a problem. Telling you not to worry about it won't work, but just try to keep this story in mind.

It may not seem like the right time, but your health is the most important thing, so allow yourself some time off to relax - it's a good enough reason to warrant it.

Best of luck- I hope your results are nothing to worry about (up)

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Wish you an 'all clear' answer for the test.

However, at times like these the only resolve is to leave it and concentrate on work that does not require that much effort such as making a table of contents, editing your reference list, updating endnote, finding those long lost articles. Life moves on and things happen, they do not stop because you are doing a PhD, although it just gets extremely stressful at times.

Meditation is a good way to relax your mind.

Just wanted to thank you all so much for your replies. I went to see a specialist today and have been booked in for surgery next Wednesday. It is going to mean two weeks out of action but i'm hoping it won't be as bad as they say. This is such terrible timing, but I just really hope it will be ok. I couldn't give two hoots about my PhD just now as long as this all works out ok.

Thanks again for the supportive replies.

Just wanted to thank you all so much for your replies. I went to see a specialist today and have been booked in for surgery next Wednesday. It is going to mean two weeks out of action but i'm hoping it won't be as bad as they say. This is such terrible timing, but I just really hope it will be ok. I couldn't give two hoots about my PhD just now as long as this all works out ok.

Thanks again for the supportive replies.

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Sorry not sure why this posted three times - I must be impatient!

Just thought i'd update this. I had the operation and spent two weeks in pain, which was horrible but I finally got the results of the biopsy yesterday and it was all totally normal! It was just some benign growth. I am so relieved. Now I can actually get on with work after three weeks of chaos.

Thanks again for the supportive replies :-)

Dear Slowmo,

After spending a horrid two days hearing bad news from friends' families and other people, I am SO delighted to be able to go to bed now with this lovely bit of news.

And the weirdest bit? I was thinking about you earlier this evening, and was going to dig this up tomorrow morning. How is that possible? is it coincidence?

Don't know, but I am so happy Slowmo to read this

:-) and Hugs.

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Slowmo,

In my first year of my PhD, I was diagnosed by a random Sinus CT Scan to have a rare form of Hydrocephalus. Wiki that and you can easily see how much I freaked out. Thankfully, the short version has it being something that wasn't any immediate concern (I found out 6 months later that I was born with the condition and did not require any surgery because it was stable). Medical stuff freaks you out. Because of that, I think I developed major test anxiety which I struggle with (but that is another post).

I believe that because we have more tests and they get better all the time, we find out that everyone has something crazy wrong with them at some point. For most of us, we just go on living, which I believe will happen in your case. I do sympathize with you and if I can help with any of the coping strategies I developed while I was being diagnosed, PM me.

EDIT: Darn it, turns out you came out fine. I should read threads through. Sorry