How do you....

Hi Kerry, I have monthly checkups and 4-6 month scans, and frankly, I look forward to them.  It helps, I guess, that I have doctors that I really enjoy seeing. And my wife accompanies me on every visit, which, I think, really helps lighten the load. 

One thing I've learned is that I've never successfully self-diagnosed any of my symptoms. It's kind of amusing: if I feel bad, my labs are "great!"; if I feel especially good, then something's wrong.  So I just relax and go with the flow. When I'm in the "scanner" I just pretend I'm in a spaceship (childhood fantasy).

Relax, with a good perspective, there's more good news than bad.  Go ahead and make your long term plans.

I went for yearly checkups after my nephrectomy. First year was fine, second year the CT scan showed something in a lymph node in my chest. That was distressing. I had not even seen an oncologist up to that point. Found a good oncologist, and scheduled a biopsy with a thorasic surgeon. The thorasic surgeon went in and took two samples for biopsy. Both were negative, but he said that it looked bad to him and that we should get it treated. Had another scan at 2 months after the first and it showed growth. Then went to a radiological oncologist and she scheduled radiation therapy over a 3 week period. Had the radiation, went to Barcelona with my wife and about three months later had another scan that showed significant reduction in the tumor. Started on Votrient about a month after that and have been on Votrient for about 18 months. I have had scans every three months since the radiation therapy the last one being just about three weeks ago. The tumor has continued to shrink and is stable. My oncologist and I decided to go for four months before the next scan. If there is no change will go to six months. 

I know that it is stressful having the scans so often, but it is better to know what is going on and be able to take the necessary actions to keep progressing in your treatment. The worst thing for me personnaly is not knowing what is going on with my condition. I would rather have all of the information that I can get so that I can deal with facts and not my imagination. 

I know that this whole experience is stressful for you. The only advice I can give is try to live for today and plan for the future based on what you know to be true, not what you fear may be true.

I wish you the best of luck and hope that your results are good.

My cancer is somewhat under control.  While we fret over the quarterly scans, they have become less stressful.  At the start, everything is crazy.  As things settle in, confidence is gained such that you may even get to the point of expecting good scan results.  Give it time.  Worry is normal.  If you are blessed with a couple of fairly good reports, the anxiousness diminishes somewhat.  I hope that your worry level goes down over time.  I agree with the comments of the others which have preceeded mine. 

Best wishes.

Dutch

foxhd said:

hope you are ned forever

First it's 1 appt. Then another. A test here and there. Few hospitalizations. Radiation.Change of drugs and different side effects. Who has time to worry? 5 1/2 years of  looking forward to being here because of all the medical visits. One thing for sure is that you will be watched carefully. You will also become your own advocate. And lastly you will learn more about stuff you wished you didn't have to know. About yourself. And life goes on.

Is to try to stay in the now, sufficient to the day are the trials thereof etc. In reality I try to approach everything with equanimity. Good news or bad news its all the same, and I try not to let it effect me too much either way. As Fox says, who has time to worry, I would add who has time to hope. Life goes on.

We understand. My belief is what does worrying gain us? Not knowing is unpleasant to say the least. Do you know the words of the Serenity prayer/poem?

(God) Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Use your faith, no matter what they may be, in your doctors, in science, in your religious beliefs if you choose, your family and us. WE will walk along side you through out this journey, if you choose us.

Sending you calm and serenity so you can enJOY each and every day we are given.

Warmly, Jan

Don't allow it take over your every thought.  Most likely it will be a visit from NED.  In the event something awful is found, it will have been found early and like your first experience with cancer, you will find a way to deal with it.

If you get too overwhelmed, try xanax.....helps me a ton during those times.  Also, I read an article that these feelings are not so unusual for cancer survivors, so you are not alone.  That helped me a lot to realize I am not alone in my thoughts.  I think as time goes by, it does get a bit easier too Kerry.  Keep us posted on your results.

Donna~

P.S.  Can you please enter your profile, it would be nice to see your history.  Thanx!

Heyker said:

Profile

I entered my profile. 

Makes everthing a lot easier

Rob57 said:

Just Focus on Now

I went for yearly checkups after my nephrectomy. First year was fine, second year the CT scan showed something in a lymph node in my chest. That was distressing. I had not even seen an oncologist up to that point. Found a good oncologist, and scheduled a biopsy with a thorasic surgeon. The thorasic surgeon went in and took two samples for biopsy. Both were negative, but he said that it looked bad to him and that we should get it treated. Had another scan at 2 months after the first and it showed growth. Then went to a radiological oncologist and she scheduled radiation therapy over a 3 week period. Had the radiation, went to Barcelona with my wife and about three months later had another scan that showed significant reduction in the tumor. Started on Votrient about a month after that and have been on Votrient for about 18 months. I have had scans every three months since the radiation therapy the last one being just about three weeks ago. The tumor has continued to shrink and is stable. My oncologist and I decided to go for four months before the next scan. If there is no change will go to six months. 

I know that it is stressful having the scans so often, but it is better to know what is going on and be able to take the necessary actions to keep progressing in your treatment. The worst thing for me personnaly is not knowing what is going on with my condition. I would rather have all of the information that I can get so that I can deal with facts and not my imagination. 

I know that this whole experience is stressful for you. The only advice I can give is try to live for today and plan for the future based on what you know to be true, not what you fear may be true.

I wish you the best of luck and hope that your results are good.

My scans are coming up in October and I am on Votrient.  Praying for a good report. 

I do my best to take this one day at a time. It is all I can handle. Most of my stress comes from getting the IV for the tests. Strange, I know but I am a "hard stick". Every 3 months for me. Hey, Praying for good results for you.