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I deal badly with scanxiety. The last time, in December, was especially rough because I was not sure I would get the results before the holidays. I usually start to fret 2 weeks before the scans and it takes 1-2 weeks for the results to come back. Rinse repeat every three month . Which leaves 2 month between misery to try and live my best life possible. Not enough. Some things help: I am in a cancer specific online support group. I got such an overwhelming caring response to my “ dang scans over the holidays “ post, it helped a lot. I am okay to not feel okay, it does not mean I am not strong. I trust my medical team. Lastly, one thing about survival statistics is that they look back 5 years, I look forward. Best wishes to everyone here.
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@verena Best wishes ❤️🩹
You make a very good point about how long the period of scanxiety can last for, and the chunk it can take out of our “free time” between getting a good result and the next set of tests.
It is so helpful to be able to turn to others who totally get it during that time. I also belong to another support group and I love the way people do support each other both in celebrating each good result but also in providing positive testimonials from their own experiences when a bad result comes through to help push through.
There also seem to be so many breakthroughs in cancer treatments (eg immunotherapy and targeted therapies). I also try and remember that too, and have confidence in my medical team to be across them as they were with my HIPEC.
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Hi, @verena
You make a good point. It's not just the anxiety leading up to the tests and scans. Waiting for the results is just as stressful. Years ago I'd had a breast lumpectomy because of a "suspicious" spot on my mammogram. I waited to get feedback regarding the results but didn't hear anything for quite a while. Meanwhile I became more and more anxious. When I called to ask about the results, I was told that the my surgeon had left for a vacation in the Virgin Islands right after my procedure, he would not be back for another week or so, and his office was closed. Can you imagine my level of anxiety? In any case, a very compassionate nurse at the hospital was able to contact someone who was able to call me with the results. Fortunately, the lump was benign. But the anxiety while waiting for that result was torturous.
To this day, I still have that period of anxiety while waiting for test and scan results. So, you're not alone in that. Hugs.