Hi :) does anyone here have coping tips for upcoming scans? I have my first post-chemo one next Tuesday (the 28th) and I keep wavering between confidence and panic! I'm a Christian and keep praying about it in fits and starts - instead of longer, calmer bursts - I think I'm being like that because of the anxiety!
Hi and good to see you have found your you over to our corner.
Over my 20+ years there are some things we can not control - but others we can.
For medical stuff including scans we trust our teams as they know how to treat your type of NHL and how your treatment works....... but if there is a problem there are lots of other tools in the Haematologists tool box.
The thing we can control is the battle between our ears and it dies help that our Father is with is all the way.
This is a good arrival that worked through the parts of Scanxiaty.
What Is Scanxiety and How Can You Manage It? February 26, 2018 - Choose Hope
The first time you read or hear it, “scanxiety” may look and sound like a funny word. However, when you are going through it, there is nothing funny about this very real condition. From the first MRI following a doctor’s suspicious discovery during a routine exam to the annual PET scan years after an initial diagnosis, the fear and worry that accompanies imaging appointments can take a significant toll on your emotional and mental wellbeing.
Fortunately, you can take steps to minimise and cope with the sometimes-overwhelming emotions you feel.
Acknowledge your Feelings
Don’t try to ignore the way you feel, as this can actually increase your anxiety. Instead, recognise and even embrace your scanxiety. This first step empowers you to take action, move forward and manage your emotions, helping you find peace and feel more in control of your own life.
Talk about It to the Right People
Venting your fears and frustrations to people close to you can be a wonderful way to release stress and gain vital support. However, if you have folks in your life who tend to exacerbate your worries or load you up with even more concerns (and really, who doesn’t have that one friend or family member?), avoid sharing too much with them.
Practice Mindful Living
Ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu said, “If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present.” Look for ways to live in the moment. Hug your little boy and inhale deeply, noting the mingled fragrance of fresh earth and shampoo. Stroke your husband’s face and think about the way his soft stubble brushes your hand. Savour a particularly flavourful meal. Relish in the here and now.
Distract Yourself
Find ways to take your mind off the upcoming scan, at least for a while. Dig into a novel or binge watch a series that completely engrosses you. Turn up your favourite music and tackle a chore you’ve been putting off for too long. Hang out with that one friend who has a gift for making you guffaw. Schedule some time to enjoy your favourite hobby without interruption. If you have trouble letting go, imagine setting your worries in a “to do later” box and tell yourself you can pick them up when you’re done.
Ask Questions
Sometimes, the unknown is the greatest instigator of anxiety. If you are unclear about anything –from what to expect during the scan, to when and how you can expect to receive your results, to what those results might mean– don’t be afraid to ask your doctor. Having a well-defined understanding of what you will or might experience allows you to be better prepared and can even ease your mind.
Plan for the Worst Outcome…
Along with knowing what could possibly come of your scan, creating a strategy for the worst case scenario can improve your sense of control. By no means should this be perceived as giving up or being resigning yourself to bad news. Cancer can make you feel powerless, but creating a basic action plan just in case can help you regain your power as well as your optimism.
…but Visualise the Best
Your mind is more powerful than you might realise. Visualisation and guided imagery have been shown to improve your mood, control symptoms or side effects and even boost your immune system. Imagine yourself receiving great news after your scan. Allow yourself to experience the feelings of relief, gratitude and elation. Think about these things as though you are remembering them. Seeing it in your mind’s eye can give you the encouragement you need to overcome your scanxiety.
Good morning Marianne . I love Dad’s Army :) and good that you are keeping some exercise going.
Even although we have Culloden Forest just behind our house we had to stop going for walks as there were far too many people out as groups and they were just not observing physical distancing so it was a case of being safe not sorry.
But I have lots of jobs to do around the house and garden that have been neglected over the years due to my treatments.
My wife works from home (our church administrator) so we are used to being around each other all the time.
My condition first showed its face way back on the 10th May 1999 - so coming up to 21 years on the road now (yes I have a medical note book that goes way back)
I was classed as incurable but treatable and would never see times of remission, but as time went on treatments changed and so I did eventually hear the word remission back in September 2016 so it’s important never to lose hope even in the dark days (see my profile)
Scans were part of my life - every 6 to 9 months for about 18 years but I have now been discharged..... “Go live your life Mike, you know where we are if you need us” that was coming up to 2 years back and on the whole I have not spent much time overthinking the “what if’s”
Yes, I had a good number of bad scans and had the “Get yourself into clinic now” phone calls. But I understood that I could not control what was going to be said and what would end up happening. The main thing I could control was what was going on in my head. As Christians I feel that we have a slight advantage as we are definitely not alone at any time during this journey.
I don’t like the term that is being used at the moment ‘social distancing’ I prefer ‘physical distancing’ over the past weeks, as with all Churches we can not physically meet but we most certainly are socially meeting. Our normal Sunday service has about 300 participating......... but we do a live service from various homes on a Sunday and are getting an average of 3500 looking in over the week!!!!
A resent survey says that 1 in 5 people will hi are tuning into online services never go to Church and ‘prayer’ is now high up the Google searches. Interesting times.
A lot of my friends are involved in the 25/7 try prayer initiative. and one tool available is the Lactio365 prayer App produced by Pete Greig (How to pray)
A 10min audio meditation to start the day. The best 10mins you can spend at the start of each day as it helps me focus away from stuff that can clog life and living.
The first line in the 10mins meditation is “As I enter prayer now, I pause to be still; to breathe slowly; to re-centre my scattered senses upon the presence of God“
Check it out as it is a great tool to calm the whirlwind in your mind.
((hugs)) from a safe distance.
The Pete Greig 24/7/prayer is great. Our church did the prayer course he produced as our Lent course and it was excellent as is his book How to Pray. It gives lots of help and encouragement and great suggestions and tips about various types of prayer such as listening and contemplative prayer. . Definitely worth a look by anyone wanting to grow their prayer life 
Hi
Totally agree. Whatever is going on and I find myself getting anxious I always meditate on Jesus. I imagine us walking and talking together in the cool of a hot afternoon. He always answers my questions. I also really value listening to sermons on YouTube about God's peace Bill johnson has some great ones to listen to.
The one thing I do know is that anxiety doesn't change any problems generally it just makes me feel awful.
God bless you and keep you close to Him 
