Anxiety

Slowly.  You've been a member for a little under a year.  I was diagnosed in December, 2013, but because it was so small, I had active surveillance until June, 2016, when a tiny bit of growth meant it was time to come out.  So it's been over 7 years since diagnosis and coming up on 5 from surgery.  During the surveillance time, anxiety was at an all time high at diagnosis (naturally), then it peaked at progressively lower levels when scan time came up.  The scan that indicated growth was in April, 2016, but the surgery was in July, so I had three pretty bad months of anxiety then.  Strangely, i wasn't anxious about going under or about getting cut (I had a couple of abdominal surgeries prior so I knew what to expect).  My anxiety was about the damn catheter.  I hate those things with a passion.  (I think they must have been invented by a woman because no man would invent something that tortuous for other men).  After the surgery, the anxiety gradually decreased.  But the first year, any strange feeling or odd pain brought my thoughts of recurrence to the forefront.And the pain could be anywhere.  But each time the scan showed NED, the anxiety decreased a little.  It just takes time.

Bay Area Guy said:

Slowly.  You've been a member

Slowly.  You've been a member for a little under a year.  I was diagnosed in December, 2013, but because it was so small, I had active surveillance until June, 2016, when a tiny bit of growth meant it was time to come out.  So it's been over 7 years since diagnosis and coming up on 5 from surgery.  During the surveillance time, anxiety was at an all time high at diagnosis (naturally), then it peaked at progressively lower levels when scan time came up.  The scan that indicated growth was in April, 2016, but the surgery was in July, so I had three pretty bad months of anxiety then.  Strangely, i wasn't anxious about going under or about getting cut (I had a couple of abdominal surgeries prior so I knew what to expect).  My anxiety was about the damn catheter.  I hate those things with a passion.  (I think they must have been invented by a woman because no man would invent something that tortuous for other men).  After the surgery, the anxiety gradually decreased.  But the first year, any strange feeling or odd pain brought my thoughts of recurrence to the forefront.And the pain could be anywhere.  But each time the scan showed NED, the anxiety decreased a little.  It just takes time.

Catheters are no fun for women, either. Try having a baby.

Still not very big.

icemantoo

AliceB1950 said:

Catheters are no fun for

Catheters are no fun for women, either. Try having a baby.

Like your comment Alice.

Even for me, after 15 years, I get a bit edgy when it's time for another Doctor visit.  I generally see the Onc. or Onc. nurse every 6 months; my primary care every 6 months; and my nephrologist every 4 months.  Throw in a yearly mammogram and an every 2 years bone density test.  What really gets me is if there is an "out of the ordinary" finding on any exam or lab work.

I deal with it the best I can, even if it means chewing my hubby out for not doing something he said he'd do.  Then I tell him why my temper was a bit short.

If you are truly depressed, you may need to be on meds for that, which your PC can prescribe.

Even after several cancer surgeries, I saw a Clinical psychologist for a few times.  Although I'm not a total Type A person, I like organization, information, and people following through if they are asked to do a task.  After 2-3 visits, she pointed out that I like to be in control of what's happeining to me, and with Cancer, the patient loses control.

After the first surgery, the doc said, "I think we got it all."  But they didn't know it had already mets to separate nodes in remote sites.  One was discovered the following year and removed; and another the year after, and removed.  They've found an enlarged thyroid (not cancer); thickened esophagus (not due to cancer); stomach polyps (removed endoscopically); call backs on mammograms; cysts in what remains of my liver; and lab results that they didn't like, etc.

I can't say Covid and the lock-downs have been a walk in the park, but I'm alive and another year older.  A little anxiety keeps us alert and aware.  Too much is not healthy for you or those around you.  See your PC.

Best Wishes and AIR hugs,

donna_lee

My husband has kidney cancer surgery 6.5 years ago (is NED now). He wasn't worried at all, and is still not worried prior to his annual scans.

I am hypochondriac :-(, and worry for him. Well, after 5 years this anxiety did subside significantly. One year is not enough to calm down. BUt after some more years would pass you would feel calmer and calmer.

Stay NED and calm :-)

depends by stage,if first or second you have hope live long.but for 3-4 just waiting when it come back,and for us anxiety never stop.

I read an interesting post on this site over 10 years ago.  Its always stayed with me, and I remember it as profound.  I will share the very brief synopsis.

A gentleman was very ill, diagnosed at Stage 4.  He was in the end stages of life.  He found out that his tumor was discovered 10 years previously.  Noone had reported the information to him.  So he never got the opportunity to find treatment.   The astounding part of his story is that he wasnt angry.  He was really happy he never knew.  He said the past 10 years of his life had been the greatest years.  If he knew about the cancer, he wouldnt have had the ten years of joy.  

I just cant stop thinking about his attitude.  Its so much better than I could ever hope to attain.

I guess I just want to share that we all have to try our best to not let worry of the unknown rob our joy of the present.  There is help available if you find you are struggling.  Talk to your family doctor for advice, and of course, keep sharing here.  You definetly arent alone.