Scanxiety

Hi again Tri Rich

it really is a journey that you/we didn’t ever think about isn’t it.

we get caught up in tests, bloods. Scans, waiting, worry, words we didn’t know before, belonging to groups we didn’t know were there before, but now so glad they do!

for us one day at a time makes it more manageable, don’t spoil a good day by worrying but I do know that is easier said than done, I know I have lost good hours worrying about things that turned out to be ok, and not given a thought to other stuff that turned out to be a cause for concern but we can’t get back lost time.

so pleased your tests so far turned out to be ok. 

Lots of good support on here, no question silly, no thought no worry not worth sharing if you need to and it helps share it.

good luck with rest of treatment you’re almost there with the Chemo and radiotherapy 

Enjoy the sunshine and bank holiday break xx

Hi ,

My mum has been navigating stage 4 for ten years with over 25 scans under her belt . I can give you the utmost reassurance that no one is authorised to comment on the scans until the radiologist has reviewed them later , well  after the process has been completed . Frequently the next day and done a formal report . Any member of staff would be promptly dismissed . However I strongly feel that information should be put up in the scanning area . You can rest assured they wear the same poker face no matter what the procedure and no matter what the news .

For some reason my mum does not suffer from anxiety, even as a carer I found it really rough .

Sounds as though your in great shape physically with a nice strong heart . The chemo tablets are rough so you are doing very well . Your friend is right though . They become increasingly thorough when you have this diagnosis. My mum got put on strong medication for back ache . She had been sitting badly writing her Christmas cards !! I immediately got her off them as I knew it was postural. And she was absolutely fine . She has had countless other investigations. I feel sorry for her as I am sure we have lots of odd stuff internally too but are blissfully ignorant . On the other hand she is so well taken care off I only have gratitude. She is far outstripping her peers in terms of her quality of life . Bit tired today as she is packing for a holiday and entertaining at the same time .!! 

You are doing great by the way . The chemo is a bit of a brute at times and from what you report you are handling it really well . Take it easy as you only have a few more weeks and you are through this part . 

Have a good day ,

Court 

Hi . I think the word scanxiety is great and totally sums up how we all feel. I thought I’d pretty much nailed this cancer lark with my positive attitude and sense of humour (well in my opinion anyway!) but I still felt my stress levels climbing back in March and even more so when the results took 5 weeks to come back. The clear result elation lasts a few days then the nagging feeling that it’s 11 months till my next scan!

I had several ECGs before my op, during various hospital stays and again before starting chemo. I think they do it to check your heart is ok and also have a baseline on record in case there’s any problems. I had slight chest pains when lying in bed after my chemo but it’s hard to know what’s anxiety and what you need to worry about. Cancer messes with your emotions but it’s better to be safe than sorry and get checked out.

Pleaee do not try and pre-empt your scan results. I had an MRI which took longer than the previous one but it turned out my bowel was ‘jumping about’ so they took a few extra pictures to make sure they had clear ones. I was also told after 1 of my CT scans that the nurses don’t know what they’re looking for just what area they are scanning so are purely checking the scans to make sure that they’ve got all the requested area.

Anyway I shall leave you with my favourite Bowel cancer word which I have learnt which is exhaustipated which means too tired to give a s##t!

Take care and carry on - you sound to be doing well

Karen x

Hi Court

Thanks for the reply that’s a really inspiring story, sounds like your Mum is being incredible! It’s good to know that they can’t reveal scan results at the time, it will give me some peace of mind for future scans. 

Thanks for your kind comments and advice, it’s nice to have a long weekend break but am ready to smash the next 2 weeks and get this stage done with. 

Thanks

Rich

Hey Process

yes you are so right about the journey - I’m defo taking each day as it comes hence why I didn’t really think about the heart scans until I turned up ha ha 

The support is incredible isn’t it and really helps 

have s good weekend too

thanks

Rich

Hi Karen

thanks for your message. Love exhaustipated ha ha great word lol

I tend to find I’m great when I’m in control of things to an extent. Radiotherapy I’m just taking each day as it comes and breeding through it to an extent - it’s like I’m in a bubble for 5 weeks. I think at the end of week 5 I’m moving into the unknown so will be a little anxious. At my first Papillon treatment (3 weeks later) they will be able to see how it’s responded so that will be nerve wracking. But if it’s shrunk great, if it’s not the Papillon should do something? (I hope!!!). My scans will be maybe 6 weeks after my 3rd and final Papillon treatment. Colostomy bag may be an outcome (temp or permanent) so i think that’s when I’ll be in turmoil. 

Its interesting the clear result elation lasts days? I can’t wait to get there - I’d like to think I’d be able to forget it for 10.5 months but that’s prob my naivety as someone newly diagnosed. I do think when (hopefully) I get the all clear I’ll have some emotional baggage to deal with. I had a live Chat with someone from MacMillan asking for councillors in my area, they replied ‘people are available to help you’ and ended the chat!!!!! Not asked again. :(

thanks for your message anyway, have a lovely weekend

Rich