I had my CT scan this afternoon. Got no idea what they will say on Wednesday. It’s weird because I’m trying to get so much out of every day but I wish tomorrow was over and it was Wednesday. Does it get easier re scan results, I suppose not.
Mets to spine, pleural and nodes last scan was December when I started Ibrance and was in agony in hospital . Doctor kept saying you do know you have a battle on your hands and I saying YES I know.
Got a new oncologist, she is ringing me Wednesday. I feel ok but god knows what’s going on inside.
How do I get through tomorrow.
Debra
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debbiedo2063
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I can't know what might work best for you: distraction or reassurance.
You seem to be catastrophizing that your CT results will be negative. Perhaps, you have reasons for thinking so. In that case, decide to be extra good to yourself today. Do whatever helps you relax - have a warm bath, eat treats, telephone a friend to discuss an outing, etc.
If you have no real reason for thinking your CT results will be negative, remind yourself that, for three months, Ibrance has been tackling your mets so the worst that can happen is no change. If I were you, I'd still spend today and tomorrow distracting myself whenever any thought about possible news on Wednesday occurs.
Good luck, and be strong! As the young say (I think), "you've got this"!
Thankyou so much for the words of reassurance. I am a very positive person normally I think with the cancer progressing from stage 2 to 3 to 4 since 2012 and all the treatments and ops etc I’m not expecting much tbh . I think it’s the phone thing too. I was told by my GP on phone the cancer had spread in Nov 20 to stage 4 as its phone only after a scan and have never met my oncologist just spoken on the phone, all due to COVID so it’s weird . I only go to hospital to pick up the tablets and have injections and see a nurse who is lovely but It will be good to see a consultant oncologist eventually but of course it’s the only way here in UK right now, and obviously not being able to have anyone go to hospital for scans with you can be hard. Previously my husband liked to come too . We are a team.
I have rang my daughter and I am going to look after my new grandson 11 months tomorrow and take him to the local farm for a day out. Going to have a lovely day. Thanks for your reply.Fingers xd.
Hi Debbie, I’m just a scan ahead of you so can’t tell you much if it gets easier... I was lucky/ unlucky as both times they rushed the reading of the scan so that I could get results that day since I live on an island.. ... lucky for me both times I got the thumbs up and I was so unsure which way it would go because I had some pain that I thought sure meant I had spread! But then both times they said stable disease. Phew! But I am unlucky to not have a whole appt dedicated to explaining what that means... literally a phone call saying scan good/ stable. So on wed ask all the questions I would have liked to ask.. like what are they actually seeing. On my first one they could see some healing? I didn’t know what they meant.
Congrats on the thumbs up. Yes I think with the treatment being new that’s the uncertainty. I will take your advice and write a few questions down as I always forget on the phone to ask what I need to know.
I know one thing I will certainly celebrate every inch of good news.
Try to think positively, if you feel ok that has to be good. I didn't have first scans for eight months and had similar Mets to you. But I celebrated how I felt. And it was positive, the fluids in lungs and nodes had reduced as well as bone mets. I have scans starting next week. Thinking of you. Carolynx
I can understand your anxiety over your scan results. I don't think it ever gets easier. I still get knots in my stomach on results day, but I've found it easier during the pandemic to receive the results over video conferencing. It's either a phone call or Visionable for me, so I opted for the latter so I can actually see my oncologist. I normally write down a list of questions or observations, as I'll forget otherwise. I'll be getting my results next Monday. I hope you have an enjoyable time with your grandson and that being with him will distract you.
I read through what you said to some other gals on this post and I wondered... do they offer a video call option? I was diagnosed de novo in July 2020. I have only had ONE appointment where I met with members of my new medical team... when I was just starting staging all the way back in June. Anyway, I'm on my second oncologist since September, and I have spoken to her a few time via phone when it was something really short, but I think my video calls with her have been very helpful. In fact, I had a 1.25 hour video call with her about a week ago where I had 5 pages of typed questions for her. (While I like her an awful lot, I feel that a LOT of stuff is being missed... so I had to put my self-advocacy in high gear.) She graciously and fully answered every one of my questions, and we are addressing the things that should have been happening all along... like Vitamin D and calcium, etc. And, for me, seeing her face while she speaks helps me. A lot. In your case, that may allow your husband to be in on the call too.
Wishing you the best. I don't even have a year under my belt with my MBC, so I can't speak to whether scans get easier. From what I hear from other ladies who have been doing this for a long time, it seems the answer is "no." Scans are stressful. Well, waiting for results is probably the most stressful part.
Hope you do something nice for yourself as you push through this. Just know, you are not alone... and I am thinking of you today.
That’s a good idea , hopefully as we come out of lockdown June 21st things will go back gradually face to face, but That is a good suggestion. Thanks for that. Xx
Even after COVID, I may still opt for video calls! Saves me travel time/stress, etc. And, unless I need some kind of physical evaluation that requires that I be touched, video calls work just FINE for me.
I like what someone on this site said, that we should think of the scans as just another way to refine our treatment...it’s information we need that will help improve our care! But I’ve probably had 20 scans by now, and will get the results of my next one next Wednesday, so I totally understand your nerves...scan results are always the most stressful appointments for me...but just think, if scans didn’t exist they might have to cut us open!
Hello, Debbie,Love and prayers to you for both good results and peace of mind.
I was diagnosed with MBC in November 2017 (treated with Ibrance and Letrozole and occasional injections of Xgeva) and had slight progression in August 2020 (switched to monthly injections of Faslodex and occasional injections of Xgeva.)
I would have to say, from my own experience, that the CT scans/PET scans are the most stress-inducing part of treatment. It's nearly impossible not to suffer from anxiety on the day you receive your results. Just remember that all of us have your back and are so empathetic about your feelings! Have a fun day with that sweet little grandson!
i believe each scan to be a new experience. thus, for me scanxiety still exists, even with 5 years of NEAD and/or stable. may you be at ease. may you hear optimal scan results.
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