Scanxiety tips and tricks

"Scanxiety" love that term. Had never heard of it until I read it in your headline for this post. Googled it, and learned something new. The optimum word here is "learn," or learning something new. In the cancer world "Anxiety knows no boundaries." I get a form of Scanxiety. I don't suffer from it. I use to. But, now I look at it like a normal reaction within my senses of the unknown.

We all do Stage 4 differently. A buddy of mine just learned about his stage 4 on December 9th and he was done/gone by December 24th. I discovered my Stage 4ness 5 years ago and I am living my best version now. So, it's January 2025. Looking at 4 oncology related events (Office visits, injections, and something new, Pluvicto) this month. In between Oncology Related things I try to live a fulfilling life; books, walks, writing, discussions with buddies, weights at my Fitness Over Fifty gym (Which is the most caring place I've ever been, my over 70 buddies, most of us suffer from something, yet we lift weight while socializing) while following the Stage 4 Golden Rule of Exercise, Nutrition, Mindfulness, Sociableness while caring for ourselves and others. Joy my friends, much joy.

@my44 I am so sorry that happened to you! I am grateful that test results now almost immediately have to be put in my electronic chart. I too had a caring nurse. She saved Christmas and my sanity. She made a call to radiology. I make scan appointments three months in advance- reading them should be on someone’s workplan for that day or the next. Better pay for radiologist would help with the shortage. AI may have potential.

Thanks, @verena
You're so right about getting results almost immedately in our electronic charts. Back when I had the lumpectomy, there were no electronic charts. They didn't come into use until the early 2000's.
I'm glad to hear that you had a caring nurse, too. I don't think nurses get as much credit as they should for all that they do. Most are very caring and compassionate and have great bedside manners. And some go above and beyond the call of duty.
With how much our healthcare system has expanded, they do need to find a way to resolve all of these shortages, some of which cause us to have to wait months to be seen or to get scheduled for scans...even when conditions are serious and need immediate attention. Better pay would definitely help. As far as AI, I also think there's potential...to a point. It's not infallible, and I think that there would be some instances when human eyes, cognition, experience, and intuition would be needed to better interpret data. Best wishes for 2025...with reduced anxiety for all of us.

It is frustrating! I worry about the upcoming scan and once I get results (so far good news) I barely celebrate before I start the cycle of worrying for the next scan

@aardvark2118 Oh no 😢 That must be so difficult and draining. I’m not sure know how or why I can relax until next scans. I think the practical thing is distraction. Living each day as fully as possible in the now. Worrying is so stressful, and you have an extra long period 🌺

I’ve thought hard about it over time and I’ll be SO cross with myself, IF I get bad results and need to go back into treatment, that I haven’t made the most of the “free” time of good results. I hope that may also help you focus more on now.

@proftom2 I’m so glad to hear how well you’re doing with your diagnosis and living your best life.

So awesome that you had to Google “scanxiety” to see what it is and then learn there’s an emotion out there you haven’texperienced. For me that’s like a very extroverted friend who says she doesn’t know what “shyness” feels like.

So sorry for your friend - that was pretty much my mom some years back. Less than 30 days. I think that also plays into my Scanxiety.

Praying for continuing good health, and thank you so much for sharing 🙏🌺

Good morning @gingerw and @isadora2021. We are starting our 4 monthly journey( 2nd scan in June) My daughter manages her cancer, but doesn't really want to talk about it. She is 24. Do you have suggestions on how I can help/ support her better? I don't think her cancer must become our main focus, she is so much more. But I don't want to sound dismissive about this huge diagnosis...

Good morning @proftom2 , you sound very kind. I have read somewhere that we must not call cancer survivors strong, we must rather compliment them on the way they manage their new reality. My daughter has cancer and her 2nd CT is in June. "Detect and Destroy" chemo and radiation are not effective for chondrosarcoma. How did you change your diet? Do you supplement your good wholesome food?

Thank you eLmarie. I have a Nutritionist on my caner team. We talk every three month about my Nutrition. She's very helpful. I focus on what type of food I eat, fruits/veggies, + proteins. We tend avoid supplements because she analysis everything I eat at the chemical by blood labs level. She either recommends food to counter balance my labs, occasional she will recommend s subelement like Zinc, or Vitamin D.

Thank you for caring, and much caring/prayers from me to you and your daughter.

@elmarie Letting your daughter know she can talk to you at any time about any part of her cancer journey will be huge. Wait for prompts like, "what should I do/what would you do if...". Acknowledge the trepidation and fear she is going through, let her know you are there for her in whatever way she wants/needs. Perhaps starting a conversation with "It must be scary/ offputting to [fill in the blank] ..." Be realistic. Like you said, she is so much more than her cancer! But face it, right now it kinda has to be center stage as you all learn to address it.

In looking at your profile and other comments, your daughter's cancer seems to be aggressive. So, it behooves you both to get as much information as you can, and be ready to battle! There are some great advances in medical treatments, and don't be afraid to step up and ask the doctors for their thoughts and opinions. If she is okay with you accompanying her to appointments, be sure you take notes, write down questions ahead of time. That's a great way to show support/care and also get information!

Does this help address your concerns?
Ginger