first scan after treatments

rose_hadds
rose_hadds Member Posts: 34
edited March 2014 in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Finshed treaments 9 weeks ag and my first scan are coming uo...i am a nrevous wreck .does everyone go through this - any help on hoe to deal and if it does get easie. I wrry constantly about cancer returning.

Leanne

Comments

  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #2
    You're In a BIG Club
    I had my first scans the end of last month - I was nervous, too. I don't worry about cancer coming back all of the time, but it seems like it's a frequent thought. I feel better when I'm "behaving" (exercising and eating right), but still worry from time to time. Other folks who've been at this a lot longer than we have will tell you that they still get anxious at scan times - not everyone, but several.

    Wish I could tell you how to get over the fear. Hoping your tests come out great - let us know.

    Be Well
  • Glenna M
    Glenna M Member Posts: 1,576
    #3
    It gets easier with time...
    Hi Leanne,

    It is normal to worry before having a scan, I think we all do. Some deal with it better than others. I am 10 months post treatment and I am going for my 3rd CT scan on Aug. 2nd, I keep telling myself "I will not worry" - but I know I will ;-) I am in remission right now and used to worry daily that my next scan would show that one of my cancers (I have 2 different types of cancer) was growing again.

    I am going to tell you, as I do all my friends, don't worry about something that you have no control over. Worrying will not change the results, instead concentrate on the good things in life and enjoy each day that you have. The further you get from the time your treatment ended the better you will feel and you will slowly learn not to worry each day. I used to think about my cancers everyday but learned that by doing so I was taking away from the quality of my time. I prefer now to spend my time enjoying my family and friends and life.

    I know it's not easy now but believe me it does get better.

    My best to you,

    Glenna
  • JUDYV5
    JUDYV5 Member Posts: 392
    #4
    First Scan
    I had my first scan Monday and the meeting with the Doctors today.. The results were fantastic and I couldn't stop crying. Back before I was diagnosed I was terrified of Cancer. My Mother died of Panceratic Cancer back when she was 46, it was a horrible illness for a 17 year old to witness. When I was diagnosed with throat cancer, at the age of 46, a calm washed over me. You have to face your fears and when they are a reality you have to deal with it. I know the cancer could come back - but why worry. If it happens you just deal. Of course when the results were great - I melted.
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #5
    JUDYV5 said:

    First Scan
    I had my first scan Monday and the meeting with the Doctors today.. The results were fantastic and I couldn't stop crying. Back before I was diagnosed I was terrified of Cancer. My Mother died of Panceratic Cancer back when she was 46, it was a horrible illness for a 17 year old to witness. When I was diagnosed with throat cancer, at the age of 46, a calm washed over me. You have to face your fears and when they are a reality you have to deal with it. I know the cancer could come back - but why worry. If it happens you just deal. Of course when the results were great - I melted.

    Woo Hoo!
    Great to hear, Judy. Glad your scan went well. Sharing in your joy, thanks for sharing.
  • lady4darknight
    lady4darknight Member Posts: 90 Member
    #6
    Pam M said:

    Woo Hoo!
    Great to hear, Judy. Glad your scan went well. Sharing in your joy, thanks for sharing.

    Yippee
    Hooray Judy on the good results. Here's to many more. I have my first one in 2 weeks and I have to admit the closer it gets the more nervous I am. But I can't control the outcome so I am just thinking positive thoughts till then. I think getting nervous is just a natural fear we all face.
    Debbie
  • Kent Cass
    Kent Cass Member Posts: 1,898 Member
    #7
    lady4darknight said:

    Yippee
    Hooray Judy on the good results. Here's to many more. I have my first one in 2 weeks and I have to admit the closer it gets the more nervous I am. But I can't control the outcome so I am just thinking positive thoughts till then. I think getting nervous is just a natural fear we all face.
    Debbie

    Judy and Leanne
    Glad to hear the good news, Judy. Excellent!

    Leanne- the first port-scan may be the toughest, mentally, but it really is the easiest. Your C has been dealt some mega-blows by your treatment, so it is extremely likely that the only thing remaining in the area where you got the rads is scar tissue that is not C. That is the experience of the vast majority of us. Anything that does show is likely a false-positive of something other than C. Yes, it is only natural to be anxious about the first post-treatment's, but it is very likely too soon for anything to show. You'll be okay, girl.

    Believe

    kcass
  • Greg53
    Greg53 Member Posts: 849
    #8
    Kent Cass said:

    Judy and Leanne
    Glad to hear the good news, Judy. Excellent!

    Leanne- the first port-scan may be the toughest, mentally, but it really is the easiest. Your C has been dealt some mega-blows by your treatment, so it is extremely likely that the only thing remaining in the area where you got the rads is scar tissue that is not C. That is the experience of the vast majority of us. Anything that does show is likely a false-positive of something other than C. Yes, it is only natural to be anxious about the first post-treatment's, but it is very likely too soon for anything to show. You'll be okay, girl.

    Believe

    kcass

    Nervousness
    Leanne,

    It's definitely normal to get nervous, but don't let it get the best of you. I just had my 3 month pet last week and had to wait over the weekend before my results. And I'm like Kent, I know the 3 month shows too many false-positives to worry about, but I still did. I tried to keep my mind off it by watching as many silly comedies as I could find. Laughter helps relieve tensions and just in general makes me feel better. Try it, it does take the edge off. Be positive and always find humor in everything, that's my motto.

    And Judy - Congrats, great news!

    Positive thoughts to everyone!
    Greg
  • Joel4
    Joel4 Member Posts: 263 Member
    #9
    Greg53 said:

    Nervousness
    Leanne,

    It's definitely normal to get nervous, but don't let it get the best of you. I just had my 3 month pet last week and had to wait over the weekend before my results. And I'm like Kent, I know the 3 month shows too many false-positives to worry about, but I still did. I tried to keep my mind off it by watching as many silly comedies as I could find. Laughter helps relieve tensions and just in general makes me feel better. Try it, it does take the edge off. Be positive and always find humor in everything, that's my motto.

    And Judy - Congrats, great news!

    Positive thoughts to everyone!
    Greg

    Next Week
    Leanne,

    I have my first post treatment scans one week from tomorrow. I have been growing increasingly anxious as the day approaches. I will continue to pray, read the psalms, enjoy my wife and two two beautiful small children, and STAY POSITIVE. I agree about the sitcoms too, I'll be watching a little Arrested Development.

    Judy - Very happy for you...hope to do a little melting myself!
  • Glenna M
    Glenna M Member Posts: 1,576
    #10
    Greg53 said:

    Nervousness
    Leanne,

    It's definitely normal to get nervous, but don't let it get the best of you. I just had my 3 month pet last week and had to wait over the weekend before my results. And I'm like Kent, I know the 3 month shows too many false-positives to worry about, but I still did. I tried to keep my mind off it by watching as many silly comedies as I could find. Laughter helps relieve tensions and just in general makes me feel better. Try it, it does take the edge off. Be positive and always find humor in everything, that's my motto.

    And Judy - Congrats, great news!

    Positive thoughts to everyone!
    Greg

    I still watch the old sitcoms...
    Nice to see that others watch sitcoms to lift their spirits ;-) If I start to get down or taking life too seriuosly I will stop watching the news and watch the old reruns of MASH, Cheers and Becker - with a few Two and a Half Men thrown in for good measure.

    Judy, stay calm and enjoy life,
    Glenna
  • rose_hadds
    rose_hadds Member Posts: 34
    #11
    Glenna M said:

    I still watch the old sitcoms...
    Nice to see that others watch sitcoms to lift their spirits ;-) If I start to get down or taking life too seriuosly I will stop watching the news and watch the old reruns of MASH, Cheers and Becker - with a few Two and a Half Men thrown in for good measure.

    Judy, stay calm and enjoy life,
    Glenna

    laughter best medicine
    thanks everyone for your input....I will try to put the worrying aside which I know will be hard. The scans cause anxiety but I have to know. Learning to live with this process is difficult. I would not wish this ride on my worst enemy.

    Congrats Judy...

    I will let you all know how my scans go.

    Leanne

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