Welcome - what an interesting name. I have images of Robin Hood, Maid Marion and Sherwood Forest going through my mind!
Getting the diagnosis and then going through the CT and MRI scans and waiting for the results really is an anxious time. I remember it well from 3 yrs ago when I was diagnosed with an aggressive and less common type of womb cancer. All sorts of “what ifs” rear their ugly heads. Gentle hugs. I expect you feel a whole mix of emotions just now and that’s perfectly normal,
Lots of things seem to happen at once but the results seem a very long time coming sometimes. I found it easier to cope once if met the team talked to them and heard the treatment plan. At that point I felt I had some control again because they involved me fully in the decision making process and gave me confidence that I’d be well cared for and supported. Waiting is so very hard.
We often say here that keeping busy can help us to keep perspective on things. It doesn’t stop us worrying completely but it can help us focus on other things. So, bring all your coping strategies in to play. Some of us knit and sew, some of us pray or meditate, some clean their cookers to within an inch of their lives! Seriously though, do what you need to do to get through these next few days and weeks. The best advice I had came from my specialist nurse who told me to take it a day at a time, don’t try to second guess anything and keep doing the things you enjoy doing. If you can, plan a treat for after the scan - coffee and cake with your partner or a friend, a walk somewhere green and calm, film night with your family etc etc The point my nurse was making was that it’s easy to let the anxiety take over and cloud our thinking. In reality the good things we’ve got in our lives don’t disappear, they are still there to be enjoyed. I tried to do as she suggested and it certainly helped all of us . Looking back, there were some dark times in those early days but there were also moments of joy and encouragement which we were so grateful for and which gave us talking points during recovery when it wasn’t always easy to get out and about.
Threee years ago my daughter had just announced her engagement and I was terrified I wouldn’t see her wedding. We had the loveliest wedding day last year and now my youngest has just announced her engagement. Things may seem bleak now but there are lots of encouraging and uplifting stories in this forum which I hope will inspire you and give you hope. Cancer forced me to re-evaluate my life and I’ve made changes and done some things I might not have done before.
You’ve found a safe place here to wait, to ask questions etc so when you’re ready, ask away and we’ll do our best to help. Sending you lots of good wishes. Please let us know how things go xx
