1. < Cancer: Managing Symptoms

Waiting for scan results. Is this part of scanxiety?

Posted by azkidney57 @azkidney57, Oct 27, 2019

So I am waiting to know the results of my recent scans. Is this part of scanxiety? Or is it results anxiety or post testing angst? Whatever one could call it I don’t like it! I wish I could know right away! The results of my own scans have to go through my doctors first! I realize that is how it’s done but it makes me more anxious. I don’t like having to wait. How does anyone else handle the waiting game? I have been trying to be relaxed about it. The underlying dread of “what if”! My arm still hurts from where I received the contrast for my MRI. I had a dream about being inside the “tube”. The clicking and clacking of machine the voice that told me to hold my breath and breathe. I wonder if I could get a gin and tonic to take the edge off. Then I was cold and hot at the same time! It was a bit like torture. The tube is like a coffin, confining and restricting. It was uncomfortable in the machine and then my nose started to itch and I couldn’t move my arms!

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Bob, Alumni Mentor | @grandpabob | Nov 4, 2019
In reply to @azkidney57 "Justin, thanks for your interest. As I mentioned I am 5 months out since my Laparoscopic..." + (show)
@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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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.

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azkidney57 | @azkidney57 | Nov 4, 2019

Hi Bob! Thanks for asking about me. I find that my dog Cinnamon, he is a 75 pound red heeler mix, is not only a great companion but he helps me take my mind off my problems. He is a great stress reliever! He seems to know when I am upset. He will usually bring me one of toys or he will come next to me and look at me. He “grounds” me and helps keep me sane! We had a great walk that day!

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azkidney57 | @azkidney57 | Nov 4, 2019
In reply to @becsbuddy "@azkidney57 I’m so happy to read this posting! You have really come a long way in..." + (show)
@becsbuddy

@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

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Becky, I am glad your MRI was clear! It feels good to have one less thing to worry about especially when it’s a scan! I will probably take something to calm me next time I have an MRI. I will try to “relax”. I hope your mother does well! Never a dull moment! Thank you for your input! 😁

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eileen61 | @eileen61 | Nov 17, 2019

My first post-treatment MRI is scheduled for 11-25-2019. My 30 proton beam radiation treatments and 42 oral chemo doses ended on 10-28-2019 for grade 3 anaplastic astrocytoma glioma. I'm feeling well, except for fatigue, feeling colder than normal and still not much taste. I've returned back to work, albeit part-time and am hoping to get cleared for full time at the time of my MRI and oncology visits. I'm still on anti-seizure meds and well get a prescription for 5 more doses of Temodar (chemo). I've been trying to stay busy, but the closer my scan date gets, I'm starting to really dread having to go. Any tips to combat the fear and anxiety?

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4 replies
Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Nov 18, 2019
In reply to @eileen61 "My first post-treatment MRI is scheduled for 11-25-2019. My 30 proton beam radiation treatments and 42..." + (show)
@eileen61

My first post-treatment MRI is scheduled for 11-25-2019. My 30 proton beam radiation treatments and 42 oral chemo doses ended on 10-28-2019 for grade 3 anaplastic astrocytoma glioma. I'm feeling well, except for fatigue, feeling colder than normal and still not much taste. I've returned back to work, albeit part-time and am hoping to get cleared for full time at the time of my MRI and oncology visits. I'm still on anti-seizure meds and well get a prescription for 5 more doses of Temodar (chemo). I've been trying to stay busy, but the closer my scan date gets, I'm starting to really dread having to go. Any tips to combat the fear and anxiety?

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@eileen61
So what are youl nervous about? Are you claustrophobic? If so you can ask to have an open MRI. You could ask to be put to sleep. They have short acting sleep medications available or you might ask your doctor for a tranquilizer. There are certain medical health conditions where an MRI may not be recommend, Epilepsy, which is my nemesis, being one but I’ve had at least 4 with no problems. I’d rather have. You could ask if a CT would be appropriate in your condition although CT’s use radiation. There are about 40 million MRI’s done every year.
Jake

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Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Nov 18, 2019
In reply to @eileen61 "My first post-treatment MRI is scheduled for 11-25-2019. My 30 proton beam radiation treatments and 42..." + (show)
@eileen61

My first post-treatment MRI is scheduled for 11-25-2019. My 30 proton beam radiation treatments and 42 oral chemo doses ended on 10-28-2019 for grade 3 anaplastic astrocytoma glioma. I'm feeling well, except for fatigue, feeling colder than normal and still not much taste. I've returned back to work, albeit part-time and am hoping to get cleared for full time at the time of my MRI and oncology visits. I'm still on anti-seizure meds and well get a prescription for 5 more doses of Temodar (chemo). I've been trying to stay busy, but the closer my scan date gets, I'm starting to really dread having to go. Any tips to combat the fear and anxiety?

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@eileen61 Good morning! Are you worried about the MRI scan or the results? If you’re worried about the outcome, please think positive! You’re feeling better and you’re back to work so the radiation and chemo must have had an effect. If you’re worried about having the MRI, there are lots of helpful hints on this discussion thread. I was SO nervous last month before my MRI, but I followed advice, took a Valium, kept my eyes closed, and thought of other things. It was so much better than all the other ones. A friend followed all the advice and told me that she had no problem! You’ll be OK, I have faith in you. Please let me know how everything goes.

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Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Nov 18, 2019

@eileen61- Good afternoon. I had Proton Beam radiation and photon as well for lung cancer. I also have taken Valium before an MRI. There are some open MRI machines but not every place has one. Have you had your MRI as yet? The results?

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 23, 2019
In reply to @eileen61 "My first post-treatment MRI is scheduled for 11-25-2019. My 30 proton beam radiation treatments and 42..." + (show)
@eileen61

My first post-treatment MRI is scheduled for 11-25-2019. My 30 proton beam radiation treatments and 42 oral chemo doses ended on 10-28-2019 for grade 3 anaplastic astrocytoma glioma. I'm feeling well, except for fatigue, feeling colder than normal and still not much taste. I've returned back to work, albeit part-time and am hoping to get cleared for full time at the time of my MRI and oncology visits. I'm still on anti-seizure meds and well get a prescription for 5 more doses of Temodar (chemo). I've been trying to stay busy, but the closer my scan date gets, I'm starting to really dread having to go. Any tips to combat the fear and anxiety?

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Hi @eileen61, I'll be thinking of you as you prepare for Monday.

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eileen61 | @eileen61 | Nov 23, 2019

Not worried about the actual MRI, just the results.

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