Scanxiety Time - Update with GOOD NEWS!!

[NWgirl]

My next scan is next week and I'm having big time scanxiety. This is a 2 month follow up to my last CT to see if the spots they detected 2 months ago in my lungs have done anything. "Done anything" - makes it sound like they're going to do a song and dance for the technician eh?

And, like all of us going through scan time, I'm totally freaking out. My chest sometimes feels like someone is sitting on it - not bad; just a little bit - and not noticable all the time. I have a slight sore, tickly throat and a minor cough. This could all be due to the gardening I've been doing; or allergies; or.....???????? The singing and dancing lung mets maybe?

I hate, hate, hate, hate, hate this. And for what it's worth, I do feel a teeny tiny bit better just being able to post this and know that YOU ALL UNDERSTAND.

There. Now I'm going to go dig out my Lorazepam and try to get some sleep. Maybe the singing dancing lung mets can sing me a lullaby.

[salysue]

Ah....scanxiety. We all get it whether we are a caregiver or patient. I will be thinking of you and sincerely hope that those lung thingies are no longer existent! Sending positive thoughts and prayers your way!

[paula]

That same thing that was sitting on my chest apparently moved on to you. I hope and pray you have better results and you can sing and dance away from the scan reports to spite those lung thingies.

[Surroundedbylove]

Oh Belle,

I so understand. A month ago I was fretting the exact same thing as you know. I had good news from my scan so here's hoping your's is the same. I'll be thinking about you!

SBL

[Paula G.]

I know the feeling. My husbands scan is on the10th. I seem to get more up in the air than he does. His CEA has gone up every blood draw. It is 24.0 now so I know something is going on.'
Last scan showed improvement in lungs and liver but the adrenal glans mets had grown mm.
I hope you will have a good scan. Wishing you the best, Paula

[CRguy]

"Done anything" - makes it sound like they're going to do a song and dance for the technician eh?

How about if you start singing "We Shall Overcome...and doin' the happy dance !! "
That is what I am hoping for, for you...good scannin, nuttin' but good scannin'.

Cheers
CRguy

[hopeful]

I'm hoping to hear that those "lung thingies" are gone and that you don't have to think about them any more. We know all about scanxiety here. I'll be thinking about you and praying for good results.

[meeko]

Wishing and hoping for a clean scan and that the "mets" dont exist at all! I would be just as freaked out! Love Lorazopam!!

[Joy]

I'm going "nuts" waiting, waiting, waiting.

I had a CT scan end of October 2009.Phone call from Oncologist' nurse saying there is a " very small lesion on lungs" come back in 6 months for CT scan.

CT scan on 8th May, appointment scheduled with my Oncologist for 14 May. On 7th May Oncologist' office called and said "Oncologist has a family emergency cancelled ALL appointments....you are re-scheduled to see her [url]21st June". Go ahead with CT scan!!

So here I sit....CT scan on 8th May, appointment 21 June...........[url]NO COMMUNICATION FROM ONCOLOGIST OR CANCER CENTRE[/url]

No luck in getting CT scan results............I phoned Oncologist' office repeatedly.

[betsydoglover]

I'm going "nuts" waiting, waiting, waiting.

I had a CT scan end of October 2009.Phone call from Oncologist' nurse saying there is a " very small lesion on lungs" come back in 6 months for CT scan.

CT scan on 8th May, appointment scheduled with my Oncologist for 14 May. On 7th May Oncologist' office called and said "Oncologist has a family emergency cancelled ALL appointments....you are re-scheduled to see her [url]21st June". Go ahead with CT scan!!

So here I sit....CT scan on 8th May, appointment 21 June...........[url]NO COMMUNICATION FROM ONCOLOGIST OR CANCER CENTRE[/url]

No luck in getting CT scan results............I phoned Oncologist' office repeatedly.

Joy - I am so sorry. I think being unable to get your results within a few days is verging on malpractice! Have you talked to a nurse in your onc's office? Or called the radiology place and just asked to pick up a copy of your report. Obviously the radiology office has provided a report, so at this point you are just asking for medical records that you have a right to a copy of.

Good luck, but I would not wait until 21-June. You have a right to those records and you've already waited longer than many docs recommend to recheck a potential lung met.

[ams5796]

Belle,

I so understand what you're going through. My lung thingies did, in fact, turn into lung mets. My oncologist did tell me though at this point there would be no symptoms. So probably any chest discomfort you have would not point to lung mets.

I'm hoping that soon you will be telling us that the lung thingies have disappeared! Good luck!

love,
Ann

[NWgirl]

You all are so awesome. Joy - OMG - I don't know what I would do!!!!

In conversation w/my hubby today I mentioned "well, you know I have my scan this week" - ummm....no. Yeah, not a ton of support here at home - so to at least know I can come here and get support, that means the world to me. I love my husband dearly, but when it comes to cancer, I really feel like I'm on my own - crazy as that sounds. Thankfully, I have a few close friends who are close by my side through it all; and of course - all of you.

Had some friends over for a BBQ today. Fortunately we have a covered deck - so despite sun, rain, clouds, more rain, more sun - we were able to hang out on the deck all afternoon and it was really beautiful. Days like today - fun, friends, great food (dairy free lol!), great wine, that's what life is all about. And then the night comes - and my mind goes into over load. Not fun. Time to break out the lorazepam again.

I have to confess, I really wish my husband was more supportive - but from early on, he has never been able to handle this - and his way of dealing with it has been to shut it out completely. Don't get me wrong - he's there for me logistically if I really need him; but for the day to day stuff, he's just not there. Okay - enough whining from me. Time to get the kids to bed and make a note to call the doctor to refill my lorazepam! lol!

Thank you all for your support - I can't put into words how much it means to me.

[ams5796]

Yes Belle, between lorazepam and us you're covered. Somehow I get the feeling that your hubby is a good guy. He probably is like so many hubbies and just can't express his fears and feelings about your cancer. Sometimes I don't even know what I want or need from friends and family when it comes to my cancer, how could they possibly know? Ah.. I liked my life before when I didn't have to think about all of this.

Good luck with your scan.

Ann

[azahar]

My next PET scan is coming up soon too, so I'm there with ya. I've been a nervous wreck the past few days and I know it'll probably get worse ...

I also hear ya about the support thing. But one thing I've learned is to accept people's limitations with what they are able to do and appreciate what they can give me. For example, my housemate is great at coming with me to the hospital for scans, but crap at backing me up when I see the oncologist. I have another friend that is great for that, and another that's great for letting me talk, another that takes me out for lunches ... and of course all the wonderful people I've met here. Best to spread it around and hopefully not overwhelm any one person.

What day is your scan? It's this week now, right?

[sallya]

Hi Belle,

I just wanted to wish you good luck. I have my fingers crossed for good results for you!

And, while I am the caregiver and not the one with cancer, I often feel alone with my husband's cancer. It's a hard thing to talk about and I know I have fears and emotions I don't want to burden him with. And he's like your husband - he just shuts it out.

Anyway, I'm sorry. I know it is stressful and can be lonely.

Hang in there, keep popping the lorazepam and hopefully those "things" turn out to be "nothings."

Sally