Scanxiety overtaking my life

@frouke my surgeon opted for a wedge resection. I truly hope this was enough.

@lls8000 oh Lisa this is just too much at times. Having a terrible day today. Questioning whether the wedge was enough to get rid of it why didn’t he take the lobe out etc. I appreciate your words of encouragement so so much.

@lhatfield96 , My second surgery was also a wedge section, I wanted another lobectomy but I was told that my lungs were not functioning well enough due to COPD, this was done in 2022. I had a lobectomy in 2020 and needed another surgery just under two years later, after the wedge section was done in 2022 I went into remission for four years, my point is that I had a longer run after the wedge section than after the lobectomy. I understand your concern but it really doesn’t seem to make any difference so don’t worry about whether they removed enough, no one ever gets used to ct scans but you will get stronger over time because your fighting spirit will get better, you are a warrior.

Good Morning! I can, so, relate to you! I had my VATS segmentectomy in March of 2023. Then the scan every 6 months for 2 years. Then they said I would go to once a year because they had stayed clear. That one was kind of scary because I didn’t know if I wanted to wait a whole year. Yesterday I had that scan and I was so anxious! “What if something came back? What if a new one grew in the other lung?” Those are exactly what I thought. I kept it mostly to myself because I don’t like to get my husband’s anxiety going, or my children. I said my usual nightly prayers but didn’t think it was right to ask for a clear scan. (Maybe weird to some), so I just prayed that God’s Will would be done. Then I just started to plan if something was there. What I would do from there. That eased some of my anxiety. I have read on here from so many, that most of us get that anxiety right before our scans. I think it’s normal. No one wants to hear that it’s back. I am happy to say mine was still clear. Now I don’t have another one until next year. I’m sure the anxiety will come back right before that one too. I think planning what your next steps will be if it does come back will help as you will feel a little prepared and not just concentrating on being scared that it may come back. I hope this helps at least a little and I will pray for you!🙏❤️ Cindy

Yes, scanxiety is unfortunately common for a lot of cancer patients. I've had it for five years--the length of time since my cancer diagnosis. Until this spring, I've had a CT every four months and have stressed out every single time. I 'm sure others have found ways of dealing with it. I have a counselor who listens to me and a sympathetic husband, but the anxiety is about me, not them, and about the time when I learned about the initial diagnosis and, of course, the cancer returning. My support dog helps me some. I encourage you to get a counselor and to try to use whatever works for you to get through the scan times. You'll be in my thoughts.