The long haul

Hi Jim d welcome to the group. Really glad to hear you have been given the all clear. I know what you mean about the wait for results, it is scary and it doesn’t get any easier, I’m 10 years in and still get petrified waiting for scan results. It has a name, it’s called Scanxiety. 
It is hard, I try to keep as busy as possible around this time, to try and take my mind off it, but it isn’t easy. Have you spoke to your GP about this, there maybe something he can suggest to help your anxiety. 

What you must remember is what you are feeling is completely normal. It has been said that people who have been through a cancer diagnoses can suffer with a level of PTSD and having scans and waiting for results can trigger this. Talking about your feelings can definitely help. There is always someone here for a chat, or there are Maggie centres if you have one local to you, or maybe a macmillan centre? These are usually close to your local hospital. 

I hope this gets easier for you, I try to think of it as a safety blanket, just to confirm all is still well. 

Thanks so much for the reply.

• It seems during this time that every ache and pain you get you think 'thats cancer',I feel like a proper hypochondriac.

Oh yes I completely agree. I always get a pain in a new area when my scan is due, yet the minute I walk out of that office after hearing the results, the pain has gone! Anxiety really plays a huge part, and our brains can do some very crafty tricks to convince us that something is wrong. 

Hi Jim d

I think we have all felt like this at some point post-treatment. 

My way of getting around this was to take the approach that it was not my job to worry about my cancer returning: it was the job of my cancer team.  That said, whenever I went for a  3,or 6 month consultation I always had a 'squeaky bum' moment when I was shown into the small consultation room to await my consultant.

The gist of this post is that you will find a way to deal with the anxiety of waiting for CT scan results. 

As Chelle has advised perhaps have a chat with your GP.  Does your hospital have a Counselling service or a therapy team who could provide  ways for you to manage this time limited anxiety?

I hope this helps a little bit.

Kegsy x

Thanks for all the support,I get my results on 30th October (Halloween  ) I'll keep you posted 

Well just had 3month results and all good, so another 3months and I can go through it all again

That is great news.

It does get easier.

Kegsy x