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@azkidney57

Justin, thanks for your interest. As I mentioned I am 5 months out since my Laparoscopic Nephrectomy May 2019. I had a large renal cell carcinoma. I remain cancer free at present. MRI and CT scans clear. I repeat scans in 4 months. These were the first set of scans for me. I experienced scanxiety! It was not pleasant. The cancer center where I go did not call me with results in a timely manner. It added stress. I find that after struggling with an issue I become depressed afterwards like right now. I have to repeat the cycle of scans again and again. I dislike my cancer center for their lack of responsiveness and this has been an issue from the start. I must continually aggressively advocate for myself. I care for my insulin dependent mother and so I advocate for her as well. I started my job 3 months ago. I worried I would be fired. I wasn’t learning my new job duties fast enough and my boss put me on “probation”. This past Friday my boss called me into her office and told me I have “improved” so I have been removed from probation. Starting a new job after a big cancer surgery after losing two close friends from cancer then almost being put on oral cancer medication was bad timing on my part! Lesson learned. My energy level has not returned after having a kidney removed. The surgeon told me it would take several months. Right now I feel tired, depressed and anxious but I am cancer free which is a good. It’s like I just ran a long, grueling race. I have to “recharge” and prepare for the next one. My plan is to simplify my life as much as possible where ever I can. I have noticed some of my friends have abandoned me. I haven’t been very social as of late. I will let them go! My real friends will always be there for me. I will continue to advocate for myself because I have to. I am seriously considering moving to Phoenix. I feel I would be better served at the Mayo Center there. I will need to come up for a strategy for the next MRI because it was NOT a pleasant experience. I will probably chose to take something to calm my nerves before scans. I am grateful for this site it has proved to be invaluable! Now for today my plan is to take my dog for a long walk as I attempt to “de stress” myself because I have another work week ahead of me.

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Replies to "Justin, thanks for your interest. As I mentioned I am 5 months out since my Laparoscopic..."

@azkidney57 I’m so happy to read this posting! You have really come a long way in a short time. You go girl! I, too, just had an MRI and got an all clear on the inflammation in my brain. I was thinking of you and how one can control scanxiety. Besides the Valium, I didn’t look at the machine at all. I kept my eyes closed the entire time and just breathed slowly. Much better experience this time! Won’t even think of it for 6 months
Really, I don’t have time to think of it. I came to Washington DC to help my mother who broke her pelvis. It’s just one meeting after another! Becky

Hello @azkidney57, I am interested to know how your walk went yesterday.

Did it help to de-stress you?
Knowing the answer to this may help others who have a pet they can use for added comfort.

Have a good week.