Scan Anxiety (aka Scanxiety)

Rob FWNJ

I am now less than a week from my next CT Scan and my anxiety level is building. (I think my anxiety is enhanced by the fact my cancer is classified as high risk of reoccurrence.) I know that I have been treated at one of the finest hospitals in the country by some of the best doctors in the world which has dramatically improved my chances yet I get anxious every time until I receive the results. The way I deal with this is to keep busy both at work and at home. I have read on these discussion boards that everyone (both patients and caregivers) seem to experience similar anxiety. I was wondering how others deal with pre-scan anxiety. Thank you all in advance for your posts!

Sincerely,

Rob

imbkuz

What I have learned and
What I have learned and still learning is every time I worry about something .....something that I didn't worry about happens. Example: I always used to worry about my husband dying of a heart attack since his dad died at an early age. When my hubby was recently diagnosed with advanced RCC I hadn't even heard about it and I was a registered nurse. So who knew to worry about this. It came out of left field. On the way to NYC next week my husband and I may be killed in a car accident and never make it to the scan.(God forbid.....but you see what I'm saying you just never know)This is what I learned in life try not to worry until it's time and then deal.I don't know if your spiritual but no matter how much we worry or plan ...there seems to be a plan in place already. So I've tried to surrender and let go.Since we are seeing the best doctor in one of the best hospitals if there is something that shows up they will come up with a plan with us. This sounds a little off but I wish this was the only thing that I am worried about since there is so much going on right now in my life. I do meditation that seems to help.Talking with other people and posting. Keeping busy.Try focusing on the positives I know that sounds easier said than done. And most of all I am praying for the best. Scanaxiety is not having any control of our lives. And we all love to think that we are in control.
Please take good care and be gentle on yourself. It's normal to have those moments.I will be praying for you.
Your Friend
Babs

Rob FWNJ

imbkuz said:

What I have learned and
What I have learned and still learning is every time I worry about something .....something that I didn't worry about happens. Example: I always used to worry about my husband dying of a heart attack since his dad died at an early age. When my hubby was recently diagnosed with advanced RCC I hadn't even heard about it and I was a registered nurse. So who knew to worry about this. It came out of left field. On the way to NYC next week my husband and I may be killed in a car accident and never make it to the scan.(God forbid.....but you see what I'm saying you just never know)This is what I learned in life try not to worry until it's time and then deal.I don't know if your spiritual but no matter how much we worry or plan ...there seems to be a plan in place already. So I've tried to surrender and let go.Since we are seeing the best doctor in one of the best hospitals if there is something that shows up they will come up with a plan with us. This sounds a little off but I wish this was the only thing that I am worried about since there is so much going on right now in my life. I do meditation that seems to help.Talking with other people and posting. Keeping busy.Try focusing on the positives I know that sounds easier said than done. And most of all I am praying for the best. Scanaxiety is not having any control of our lives. And we all love to think that we are in control.
Please take good care and be gentle on yourself. It's normal to have those moments.I will be praying for you.
Your Friend
Babs

Thank You
Thank You for your perspective. I was in a particularly anxious mood this morning when I posted this but I’m better now. It’s was good to receive a calmer perspective. I am a spiritual person and know that sometimes you need to put it in God's hands. My wife often reminds me that no matter what, everything will be OK. (I am lucky to have her!) Thank you again! I really appreciate your friendship!

Sincerely,

Rob

corey50

Rob FWNJ said:

Thank You
Thank You for your perspective. I was in a particularly anxious mood this morning when I posted this but I’m better now. It’s was good to receive a calmer perspective. I am a spiritual person and know that sometimes you need to put it in God's hands. My wife often reminds me that no matter what, everything will be OK. (I am lucky to have her!) Thank you again! I really appreciate your friendship!

Sincerely,

Rob

SCAN ANXIETY
rob, if you go back and read my earlier posts you'll see that we all go thru this to some extent. i started seeing an oncology therapist (a social worker who deals with cancer patients) after a breast cancer diagnosis 4 years ago, and the thing she's taught me about anxiety is that its normal for us in our position. there is no way that after you've had cancer you're not going to get nervous when you hve to have a test or drs. appt. keeping this in mind has helped me tremendously. anxiety seems to grow when you dwell on it, but if i can say "you know i'm nervous about this test but i know its normal to be" it seems to lessen. usually just getting out of my head helps too, we build things up so much in our own minds. this is where distracting yourself helps. housework, work, something fun, watching movies (funny ones of course) enjoying nature.
and then i couldn't agree more with babs that you have to put it in GODS hands and let it go. i know that HE will be with me every step of the way no matter what happens. praying brings me solace.
also it helps to remember that whether the outcome is good or bad it is what it is and your worrying about it is not going to change that. easier said than done sometimes, i know. the day of my scan and the day after i was a wreck. everytime the phone rang i was sure it was the dr. with bad news. but by the 3rd day i was feeling much better and i just told myself "today as far as i know i'm healthy. i feel good and i'm not going to let worrying about what might be ruin this beautiful day God has given me to enjoy."
try it.
best of luck with your scan and results.

Rob FWNJ

corey50 said:

SCAN ANXIETY
rob, if you go back and read my earlier posts you'll see that we all go thru this to some extent. i started seeing an oncology therapist (a social worker who deals with cancer patients) after a breast cancer diagnosis 4 years ago, and the thing she's taught me about anxiety is that its normal for us in our position. there is no way that after you've had cancer you're not going to get nervous when you hve to have a test or drs. appt. keeping this in mind has helped me tremendously. anxiety seems to grow when you dwell on it, but if i can say "you know i'm nervous about this test but i know its normal to be" it seems to lessen. usually just getting out of my head helps too, we build things up so much in our own minds. this is where distracting yourself helps. housework, work, something fun, watching movies (funny ones of course) enjoying nature.
and then i couldn't agree more with babs that you have to put it in GODS hands and let it go. i know that HE will be with me every step of the way no matter what happens. praying brings me solace.
also it helps to remember that whether the outcome is good or bad it is what it is and your worrying about it is not going to change that. easier said than done sometimes, i know. the day of my scan and the day after i was a wreck. everytime the phone rang i was sure it was the dr. with bad news. but by the 3rd day i was feeling much better and i just told myself "today as far as i know i'm healthy. i feel good and i'm not going to let worrying about what might be ruin this beautiful day God has given me to enjoy."
try it.
best of luck with your scan and results.

Scan Anxiety
Hi Corey,
Thank you so much for your post. I have calmed down quite a bit since I posted this several days ago. You and Babs are right, worrying a little is normal but ultimately it is in God's hands. The remarkable thing is the sequence of events that brought me through my experience with cancerso far. I know that had things been a little different my outcome would not look nearly as good. It is clear to be that this is not happening by accident. Thank you again!

Sincerely,

Rob

Rob FWNJ

Scan Tomorrow
Well tomorrow is the big day and honestly I feel so much better about it than I did when I made my initial posts. I really appreciate the posts and will report the results tomorrow night.

Sincerly,

Rob

PS Babs, I still hope to meet you and your husband (I hope his scan goes well as well) Please look for me when you get to the Kimmel center.

imbkuz

Rob FWNJ said:

Scan Tomorrow
Well tomorrow is the big day and honestly I feel so much better about it than I did when I made my initial posts. I really appreciate the posts and will report the results tomorrow night.

Sincerly,

Rob

PS Babs, I still hope to meet you and your husband (I hope his scan goes well as well) Please look for me when you get to the Kimmel center.

Hi Rob
Is your scan July 22
Hi Rob
Is your scan July 22 or July 23? Ours is Thursday the 23rd. Hope it's the same day so we can meet. It would be wonderful to talk.
Babs

Rob FWNJ

imbkuz said:

Hi Rob
Is your scan July 22
Hi Rob
Is your scan July 22 or July 23? Ours is Thursday the 23rd. Hope it's the same day so we can meet. It would be wonderful to talk.
Babs

Oops Scan is Thusday
Hi Babs,
I have been traveling again (Atlanta this time) and I am a little tired and have my days mixed up. My scan is Thursday. I hope to meet you then. If my appointment goes off on time (highly unlikely but you never know) I will wait. Hope to see you then.

Sincerely,

Rob

Rob FWNJ

imbkuz said:

Hi Rob
Is your scan July 22
Hi Rob
Is your scan July 22 or July 23? Ours is Thursday the 23rd. Hope it's the same day so we can meet. It would be wonderful to talk.
Babs

Oops Scan is Thusday
Hi Babs,
I have been traveling again (Atlanta this time) and I am a little tired and have my days mixed up. My scan is Thursday. I hope to meet you then. If my appointment goes off on time (highly unlikely but you never know) I will wait. Hope to see you then.

Sincerely,

Rob

imbkuz

Rob FWNJ said:

Oops Scan is Thusday
Hi Babs,
I have been traveling again (Atlanta this time) and I am a little tired and have my days mixed up. My scan is Thursday. I hope to meet you then. If my appointment goes off on time (highly unlikely but you never know) I will wait. Hope to see you then.

Sincerely,

Rob

Hi Rob
I don't know about
Hi Rob
I don't know about you but I sheepishly have to admit that I have been anxious these past few days and have had more than my days mixed up:)For example: half my stainless is gone. We're down to 4 spoons, etc.,etc. So who could be throwing them away by accident?:) My husband is cool as a cucumber. Amazing. Anyhoo, it would be great to meet you and I am only wishing for good results for you tomorrow (my hubby too) That would be great to meet and chat.
Regards
Babs

Rob FWNJ

imbkuz said:

Hi Rob
I don't know about
Hi Rob
I don't know about you but I sheepishly have to admit that I have been anxious these past few days and have had more than my days mixed up:)For example: half my stainless is gone. We're down to 4 spoons, etc.,etc. So who could be throwing them away by accident?:) My husband is cool as a cucumber. Amazing. Anyhoo, it would be great to meet you and I am only wishing for good results for you tomorrow (my hubby too) That would be great to meet and chat.
Regards
Babs

Tomorrow
I'm looking forward to meeting you both. I was trying to come up with some way you will know it is me so I have made a conspicuous book marker with my CSN name on it. Please let your husband know I will be saying extra prayers for a good scan tomorrow as well support prayers for you too.

Sincerely,

Rob

imbkuz

Rob FWNJ said:

Tomorrow
I'm looking forward to meeting you both. I was trying to come up with some way you will know it is me so I have made a conspicuous book marker with my CSN name on it. Please let your husband know I will be saying extra prayers for a good scan tomorrow as well support prayers for you too.

Sincerely,

Rob

Brilliant. I too am praying
Brilliant. I too am praying for all!
Gob Bless
Babs

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