3 month check-up with oncologist NED-Why can't I finally relax and believe it?
I injured my back shortly before all the breast cancer business started, but have pain that I keep thinking is somehow tied to the breast cancer. In my head I know I am being silly as I had a bone scan, PET scan and ct scan at my initial diagnosis just to alleviate my stress. I lost my 1st husband to cancer 10 years ago and it was discovered in his spine, so my doctor ordered all those tests to give me peace of mind that the back pain was truly back pain from falling off a chair and landing on my tailbone-not related to the breast cancer. Maybe cancer changes us and does not allow us to brush off little aches and pains as we once could before this nasty beast entered our lives. I am hoping that once I get my port removed and my hair gets a little longer, I might be able to let go of some of my fear and reclaim a little of the person I used to be. I actually asked my doctor for a referral to a gastroenterologist to have a colonoscopy so I could say I have had every test possible and now I can finally relax and believe i am truly NED. I guess I am just looking for some reassurance that this is part of the process of mental healing from a bc diagnosis.
Comments
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I am sure time is all you need
A few more clear tests and just the passing of time will give you more peace. The problem with having been there once is that we know we could go there again, and you have the added loss of your husband to make it even harder.
Be vigilant, be patient with yourself, the fear should ease, I am wishing you the best,
Jennifer0 -
NED
Dear Penny,
After all you have been through, it is hard to believe it is "over". For month after a diagnose of breast cancer, there are tests, surgical procedures, treatments and all it involves. It is the top of one's agenda for so long a time, then just like that "it's over". Not completely as there are appointments and more tests in the future but, the it's off the daily agenda. That is hard to go through and you already had good reason to worry so much due to the death of your first husband.
As time goes by, without further incident the horror of these pasts months will recede. No one is ever free of the diagnose for every new pain brings all the fear back. Most of the time it is unrelated to breast cancer.
Wishing you well in your new journey for complete recovery of the ordeal that has been a big part of your life these many months.
Best,
Doris0 -
I think of myself as cancer free too even I know about NEDSIROD said:NED
Dear Penny,
After all you have been through, it is hard to believe it is "over". For month after a diagnose of breast cancer, there are tests, surgical procedures, treatments and all it involves. It is the top of one's agenda for so long a time, then just like that "it's over". Not completely as there are appointments and more tests in the future but, the it's off the daily agenda. That is hard to go through and you already had good reason to worry so much due to the death of your first husband.
As time goes by, without further incident the horror of these pasts months will recede. No one is ever free of the diagnose for every new pain brings all the fear back. Most of the time it is unrelated to breast cancer.
Wishing you well in your new journey for complete recovery of the ordeal that has been a big part of your life these many months.
Best,
Doris
NED is a correct term which I like more than being in remission.
when I feel nervous or overwhelmed I take anti anxiety medication .
Please try to treat your back pain. Physical therapy did help me .
Good Luck with your appointment0 -
Boy do we know how you feelNew Flower said:I think of myself as cancer free too even I know about NED
NED is a correct term which I like more than being in remission.
when I feel nervous or overwhelmed I take anti anxiety medication .
Please try to treat your back pain. Physical therapy did help me .
Good Luck with your appointment
But, as the ladies have said, as time goes by, you think about it less. Every re-testing session brings up that anxiety again, but we're just human with feelings and emotions. I try to turn that negative energy around and use it to really live in the moment and enjoy every single day. That's all we can do.
Good luck to you on your journey.
Hugs, Renee0 -
I,too, tend to worry about
I,too, tend to worry about every ache and pain and have my first 3 month follow up tomorrow .... it has helped going back to work and keeping busy..... I am also grateful for each day and accepted the tamoxifin hot flash life for the next 5 years. It is a normal concern but try to do as much as you can to relax and relieve the anxiety we all have inside us Congrats on being cancer free! SUE D .0 -
I doubt that any of us evermissrenee said:Boy do we know how you feel
But, as the ladies have said, as time goes by, you think about it less. Every re-testing session brings up that anxiety again, but we're just human with feelings and emotions. I try to turn that negative energy around and use it to really live in the moment and enjoy every single day. That's all we can do.
Good luck to you on your journey.
Hugs, Renee
I doubt that any of us ever not worry about every new ache and pain. I think that goes along with being diagnosed with cancer. But, with each day and each year, I pray that it lessens for each of us.
Good luck,
Kylez0 -
We get itsdukowitz said:I,too, tend to worry about
I,too, tend to worry about every ache and pain and have my first 3 month follow up tomorrow .... it has helped going back to work and keeping busy..... I am also grateful for each day and accepted the tamoxifin hot flash life for the next 5 years. It is a normal concern but try to do as much as you can to relax and relieve the anxiety we all have inside us Congrats on being cancer free! SUE D .
It will be 3 years for me this April and I still have those feeling. It does get a little better. Its not every day anymore that I think about Cancer. I am not sure myself that we will ever be completly worry free with every ache and pain, but it does get better. Dance with Ned and enjoy the dance !!!!!! Hugs
Kathy0 -
I am opposite...I dont'Kat11 said:We get it
It will be 3 years for me this April and I still have those feeling. It does get a little better. Its not every day anymore that I think about Cancer. I am not sure myself that we will ever be completly worry free with every ache and pain, but it does get better. Dance with Ned and enjoy the dance !!!!!! Hugs
Kathy
I am opposite...I dont' worry about tests (BLOOD, Mammos etc) I just wait for the call and just figure all going to be ok.
ODDLY when mine BC all atarted they called me back (wanted me next day) I didnt' panic...I went down about 3 days later! I said it's nothing...they said "let's see" then sent me for biopsy-thought nothing to worry about..when I went to surgeon it all starting hitting home..when I heard survival rate..from that word on NO clue what he said.
Denise..0 -
Timedisneyfan2008 said:I am opposite...I dont'
I am opposite...I dont' worry about tests (BLOOD, Mammos etc) I just wait for the call and just figure all going to be ok.
ODDLY when mine BC all atarted they called me back (wanted me next day) I didnt' panic...I went down about 3 days later! I said it's nothing...they said "let's see" then sent me for biopsy-thought nothing to worry about..when I went to surgeon it all starting hitting home..when I heard survival rate..from that word on NO clue what he said.
Denise..
That's the only thing that helped me. The more time that has gone by, the better I get. Now - that doesn't mean that every ache and pain or abnormal blood test I have doesn't bring it all back, but at least in between, I do very well now.
Once you have a cancer diagnosis, the entire medical profession also takes our every complaint more seriously. The words "given your history" will likely be a part of the conversation at every medical appointment.
And no one understands how we feel about this except each other! It's been less than a year since you were diagnosed. I'd say it took me at least a year to not be a nervous wreck prior to each follow up appointment. I have one this afternoon and I am nervous, but I'm not a wreck. I don't need the bus anymore, either. It's been almost 2 years since my diagosis. Now I look forward to fewer follow-ups. I think soon my gyn oncology appointments will be spaced to 6 months. I don't know about the breast cancer oncology appointments, but I think they will also soon be every 6 months.
It does get better, but it will never be gone. You sound pretty normal to me.
Suzanne0 -
Just wanting to say congratsNew Flower said:I think of myself as cancer free too even I know about NED
NED is a correct term which I like more than being in remission.
when I feel nervous or overwhelmed I take anti anxiety medication .
Please try to treat your back pain. Physical therapy did help me .
Good Luck with your appointment
Just wanting to say congrats on NED! It's what we all want to hear.
Hugs, Kylez0
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