Yearly scanxiety :(

[janeths466]

Hello everyone!

I just want to ask for any advice on how to cope with scanxiety these days. My mom is a dyalisis patient, she is 46 and she had a lung canceroid in 2019, which was removed. Then 2020 we found out she had BC and that was also removed and only followed by tamoxifen and some radiation. She has had yearly PET scans since 2019 and they have been clear so far thankfully. She got her yearly one last Tuesday, and we have not heard back from the oncologist. I am so nervous, I am not sure what the wait time usually is since I forgot but this feels like a lot. I don't know how to function waiting for the doctors call. I am really praying and hoping it is once again clear, but with recent changes she has had I often do fall into the trap of overthinking. I am very anxious and don't know how to keep going with my days. I want to call the oncologist, but I also think it is up to my mother to get her results when she wants. I think I am just afraid of the horrible feeling of bad news from the other diagnosis, that my body goes into panic mode just thinking about it. I am 23 about to graduate, and we have so many plans this end of the year finally. Life is going to well, that I tend to question if it will last for long since this always happens Again, praying it is all good and clear. Maybe I am getting too deep, but this is what goes on in the mind of an anxious caregive lol. I apologize, but any advice with dealing with this would help. <3

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

Do give the office a call. Make sure they didn’t overlook notifying her. When I have to wait I tell myself that if it was bad they would have called immediately. I don’t depend on that outcome though.

Meditation is a good tool to chase away the “what if’s”. I recently learned this technique: Name 5 things you can see, name 4 things you can hear, 3 things you can feel, 2 things you can smell and 0ne thing you can touch.

By the time I get down to the ‘one thing’ I’m usually fine.

[janeths466 in reply to Denzie]

Thank you so much! I will definitely be trying this out these days since they have felt so heavy with anxiety. We did call this morning, and the receptionist said they got the results and will notify the doctor about them. I hope this means she has not checked them yet, but it does make me a bit nervous since we usually hear back quick that they are clear. Regardless, I will avoid overthinking. Again, thank you so much...I appreciate it!

[kri312]

I go for my follow up scan Friday (surgery in 2018) - anxiety starts the month before my scheduled appointment! Thankfully I can get my CT scan and go right to his office to get results! I don't think I could manage waiting those long days between- wishing for clear scans for her!!!

[janeths466 in reply to kri312]

Anxiety does truly take over before a scan ! I hope your scans are all good as well! <3

[etpd2226]

HiAll the worry in the world will not impact the results. Worry robs us of our joy and being in the moment. For me I ask God to do what I can’t seem to do for myself. So prayer enables me to let go. In my prayers for a beautiful outcome.

No news is often good news. 💕😊🙏

[janeths466 in reply to etpd2226]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate your response! Praying does often help me feel some peace in my heart.

[TomAnderson]

What Denzie says is true. It's been my experience that they don't delay bad news with cancer patients. What's the old saying: "No news is good news".

[JanetteR57]

Anxiety can be draining for both patients and relatives. there are many areas in life we can't control that waste of emotional energy too.... but it doesn't stop it happening.... we worry if we hear too quickly or if things are slower... most people think covid 19 has gone away but the same equipment, people and resources are involved in other scans so at this time of year when people develop chest infections or symptoms that could be covid 19 or worse, having to isolate if positive only add to their workload. It's clear some delays are due to backlog in the system or shortage of staff if on annual leave or isolating or covering for others yet we're still expecting investigations to run as they did pre pandemic. Most centres have some impact as a result of the pandemic. Your anxiety is understandable as you're planning a future as if everything is certain but life isn't always certain and how we react to those changes shape us. As years go on, anxiety doesn't reduce and can increase as you describe. I try and distract myself at such times as what will be, will be and worrying about the 'what if' is exhausting so I prefer to wait then deal with the 'what is' when more is known... hope you find coping strategies to help you ... my dad had his first bowel cancer in his 50s when I was in my 20s and the second time we thought he wouldn't make 60, I visited him every day in the hospital after work and a long journey there - he will be 92 in February... good luck.

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

Any word yet?

[janeths466 in reply to Denzie]

Thankfully it was all clear <3