Scan Panic

dmdwins · May 2009

o.k- I am starting to have scan panic not just scanxiety. My scan is in 2 days(Wed.) and it is all I can think about right now. I am Stage IV - it has been 6 months since my met was removed and a year since chemo. Hoping and praying that nothing has been growing since.

I haven't been able to make any future plans beyond that date which of course is ridiculous because even if the news is not what I am hoping for it's not like I wouldnt' be here next week. I hate living in 6 months increments!!

Dawn

PhillieG · May 2009

Scans
I go every 2 months for scans so I know what you mean. It's a drag for sure.
How long until you get the results Dawn? That's harder than the scan for me.
Good luck, I hope it's all clear.
-phil

PGLGreg · May 2009

Looking forward to November.
So you're getting CT scans every six months? Then, in just a few days, you'll be starting to think about your next scan in November. I'll be getting my yearly CT scan in November, too, so we can anticipate together.

Greg

dmdwins · May 2009

PGLGreg said:
Looking forward to November.
So you're getting CT scans every six months? Then, in just a few days, you'll be starting to think about your next scan in November. I'll be getting my yearly CT scan in November, too, so we can anticipate together.

Greg

6 months
Yes Greg. I will be getting PET/CT scans every 6 months so after Wed. my next one will be in November like you. That would be my 2 year mark. I'm not sure if he will keep them at 6 months after that . He doesn't like to do too many because of the significant exposure but my CEA is not a good indicator for me as it was normal at diagnosis. I however don't know how I could wait a whole year. How do you do that!!!!Glad to have someone to anticipate with. There is safety in numbers!

Dawn

robinvan · May 2009

6 Month Intervals
Hi Dawn...

I can so relate to what you are saying about the 6 month intervals!! I'm in the midst of 6 month scans, bloodwork, and chest x-rays right now too. I see my onc on Wed for all the results.

I look forward to the day when the future horizon opens up a little more!

I'll be thinking of you on Wed and hoping you get good news.

Rob; in Vancouver

dmdwins · May 2009

robinvan said:
6 Month Intervals
Hi Dawn...

I can so relate to what you are saying about the 6 month intervals!! I'm in the midst of 6 month scans, bloodwork, and chest x-rays right now too. I see my onc on Wed for all the results.

I look forward to the day when the future horizon opens up a little more!

I'll be thinking of you on Wed and hoping you get good news.

Rob; in Vancouver

Wednesday
Hey Rob,

When I'm under the "big tube" on Wednesday I will be thinking of you too. Hoping and believing that we will both get good news and can celebrate here together. Check in and let me know how everything goes. I bet it will be good.
Smiles,
Dawn

dmdwins · May 2009

PhillieG said:
Scans
I go every 2 months for scans so I know what you mean. It's a drag for sure.
How long until you get the results Dawn? That's harder than the scan for me.
Good luck, I hope it's all clear.
-phil

Phil
I think I am fortunate. My oncology nurse knows what torture it is to wait. I will see the oncologist that same day for the results. So - as you said it really is the results not the scan I'm freaked out about. Thanks for the good wishes. I hope you are feeling well. When is your next scan?
Dawn

taraHK · May 2009

I can sympathise
Just scheduled my next scan -- for mid June. And it increased my heart rate immediately! Yes, can definitely sympathize with scan anxiety. And the notion of one's life being "on hold" around scans......

That being said----one of my favorite quotations, from this board, is "FIGHT THE FEAR, FEED THE FAITH". I love this expression. I just try to shove negative thoughts out of my head as quickly as they pop in -- and to "feed the faith".

And then there is always Xanax! I don't want to be a drug-pusher but there are times in our lives when a mild tranquilizer helps one make it through the night.....

I just bought a new dress. And I am planning to get my money's worth! So, no bad scan results for me!

I will be thinking of you. All the best. Keep breathing in AND out.

Tara

PhillieG · May 2009

dmdwins said:
Phil
I think I am fortunate. My oncology nurse knows what torture it is to wait. I will see the oncologist that same day for the results. So - as you said it really is the results not the scan I'm freaked out about. Thanks for the good wishes. I hope you are feeling well. When is your next scan?
Dawn

Next Scan
Nothing is set up now, but it should be around early August. I do 2 rounds of chemo in early June and mid June, then off until August. If all looks good then I will continues with the month on month off thing. It's new for me but I like it!
:-)
That's great Dawn that you get results that day. I usually wait 4-5 days. I've had so many scans and never been NED that I do not expect any surprises. I think when/if I get to meet NED, the scans will be more scantic (new word, scan and frantic. Goes well with scanxiety)
-phil
BTW: I'm doing very well, went swimming in our pool this weekend and got the garden done.

shoppergal · May 2009

Scan Panic
Believe me I can definately relate to you!! I try not to panic around scan time and waiting for the results, but it's sometimes impossible. I was on a 6 month interval for pet scans but now it's 3 months. I originally had my first scan before chemo and something was found near my kidney, and this scan was supposed to put my mind at ease. lol The scan after chemo, nothing showed so by the next one I really wasn't worried. But when I got the results, it wasn't good again because the "thing" near my kidney was back again. So this time I had to wait another three months to do the next scan. I tried hard to be calm, and most of the time I was but every so often it would pop into my mind and the worrying would start again. I just went for my scan which was a pet and cat scan of my entire body, head to legs, and I was in the machine for 1 1/2 hrs. My onc knows how I hate waiting so she called the very next day and gave me the good news that everything was good. I'm happy about that but I'll have to scan again in three months, so now I'm worried if this "thing" will show again!! I absolutely hate the waiting game,it's just so annoying!! If everything is good on the next scan I'll go back to every 6 months.

No matter what it's a waiting game and we all have to learn to deal with it and try to enjoy our lives as much as possible. We have to make plans and not just live in 2,3,or 6 month intervals because doing that we're not really living. Good Luck everyone on your scans, I'll be sending good vibes your way because I know exactly how you all feel!!

Wendy

dmdwins · May 2009

PhillieG said:
Next Scan
Nothing is set up now, but it should be around early August. I do 2 rounds of chemo in early June and mid June, then off until August. If all looks good then I will continues with the month on month off thing. It's new for me but I like it!
:-)
That's great Dawn that you get results that day. I usually wait 4-5 days. I've had so many scans and never been NED that I do not expect any surprises. I think when/if I get to meet NED, the scans will be more scantic (new word, scan and frantic. Goes well with scanxiety)
-phil
BTW: I'm doing very well, went swimming in our pool this weekend and got the garden done.

Doing Well
You must have had good weather where you live. Ours was great in Pittsburgh. I was at a soccer tournament with my younger daughter all weekend so my garden did not get planted. Maybe this weekend.

So glad to hear that you are doing very well.It will be nice for you to have a rest from the chemo for awhile especially during the summer!

Dawn

CherylHutch · May 2009

PhillieG said:
Next Scan
Nothing is set up now, but it should be around early August. I do 2 rounds of chemo in early June and mid June, then off until August. If all looks good then I will continues with the month on month off thing. It's new for me but I like it!
:-)
That's great Dawn that you get results that day. I usually wait 4-5 days. I've had so many scans and never been NED that I do not expect any surprises. I think when/if I get to meet NED, the scans will be more scantic (new word, scan and frantic. Goes well with scanxiety)
-phil
BTW: I'm doing very well, went swimming in our pool this weekend and got the garden done.

Chemo/Scans
Hey Phil... if one has to be on chemo ongoing like you do, then I think you have the best schedule right now! One month on, one month off. During the one month on, you get the "every two weeks" which means only the two treatments... then 4 weeks of freedom!! I can see where that would be very motivating to just grin and bear the two treatments, while looking forward to the month off

My next scan is July 20th. IF that scan shows no activity to be concerned about, the the next scan will be 4 months later (mid-November). On my good days I think "Well, nothing can be too serious if Sharlene (oncologist) feels she doesn't need to see me for 4 months at a time." On the other hand, one can't help but think, "Oh gee, let's hope that they don't find anything new or any activity that we have to do something about... I have so much to do in my life that I really and truly don't want to put a stop to that and go back into treatment!" So here we are, almost 2 months until the scan and I'm already starting to think about that darn scan and what the results are going to be! Grrrr!!

My oncologist is about a 10 - 15 minute drive from my home. On July 20th, she is having me come in at an uncivilized time of the morning (7:45am) to have the CAT scan done on my lungs, and then to have blood taken for the CEA test. I then come back at 2:15pm to meet with her and get the results for the CEA test and the CAT scan. So, the good news is I get it all done on one day... but it's the scanxiety leading up to that day and waiting to find out if I get another 4 months free of treatment or if we start all over again

Hugggggggs,

Cheryl

dmdwins · May 2009

taraHK said:
I can sympathise
Just scheduled my next scan -- for mid June. And it increased my heart rate immediately! Yes, can definitely sympathize with scan anxiety. And the notion of one's life being "on hold" around scans......

That being said----one of my favorite quotations, from this board, is "FIGHT THE FEAR, FEED THE FAITH". I love this expression. I just try to shove negative thoughts out of my head as quickly as they pop in -- and to "feed the faith".

And then there is always Xanax! I don't want to be a drug-pusher but there are times in our lives when a mild tranquilizer helps one make it through the night.....

I just bought a new dress. And I am planning to get my money's worth! So, no bad scan results for me!

I will be thinking of you. All the best. Keep breathing in AND out.

Tara

Feed the Faith
Thanks for your post. I just Fed the faith with a few of my warriors. It is helping to fight the fear. In less than 18 hours I should know the results. I think I can make it until then without the Xanax-but hope I won't need it after the results!!

I'll be pulling for you in June. Cant' wait to see you in that new dress when you get good results. If things are good I might just treat myself to an Aveda Salon trip. My hair has more gray since it came back in after chemo.

You hang in there too.

Dawn

dmdwins · May 2009

shoppergal said:
Scan Panic
Believe me I can definately relate to you!! I try not to panic around scan time and waiting for the results, but it's sometimes impossible. I was on a 6 month interval for pet scans but now it's 3 months. I originally had my first scan before chemo and something was found near my kidney, and this scan was supposed to put my mind at ease. lol The scan after chemo, nothing showed so by the next one I really wasn't worried. But when I got the results, it wasn't good again because the "thing" near my kidney was back again. So this time I had to wait another three months to do the next scan. I tried hard to be calm, and most of the time I was but every so often it would pop into my mind and the worrying would start again. I just went for my scan which was a pet and cat scan of my entire body, head to legs, and I was in the machine for 1 1/2 hrs. My onc knows how I hate waiting so she called the very next day and gave me the good news that everything was good. I'm happy about that but I'll have to scan again in three months, so now I'm worried if this "thing" will show again!! I absolutely hate the waiting game,it's just so annoying!! If everything is good on the next scan I'll go back to every 6 months.

No matter what it's a waiting game and we all have to learn to deal with it and try to enjoy our lives as much as possible. We have to make plans and not just live in 2,3,or 6 month intervals because doing that we're not really living. Good Luck everyone on your scans, I'll be sending good vibes your way because I know exactly how you all feel!!

Wendy

Glad
Wendy,
Glad that everything was good this time and hoping that little "thing" will never be seen again.

Thanks for the good vibes.
Dawn

Scan Panic

Comments

Discussion Boards