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Life after cancer and scanxiety!

naynay.survivor
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"Scanxiety" is what I'm experiencing right now!! I had my firat 3 month scan last Wednesday and I get the results tomorrow afternoon.  As much as I try; I can't help but think it's going to come back.

My oncologist & his team are confident that I'll be in "curative remission" but after having to finish the clinical trial I was on with 2 cycles left of chemo due to grade 4 neuropenic sepsis, I am concerned I've got less of a chance for this than I would have if I'd have finished the course.

I am so lucky to be here, I know that, but I am struggling to find this "new normal" that surivivors talk about. Do the negative thoughts ever stop? Do you always have "scanxiety"? What methods have you used to overcome/help?

TIA, Naomi x

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    Hi Naomi,

    Good luck for your results!

    The only thing that works for me is keeping busy and distracted. I'm on a watch and wait regime with scans every three months - 12 scans in and I still get stressed while waiting for the results!

    Best wishes

    Dave

  • Offline in reply to davek
    Thanks Dave! Good to know others are experiencing the same thoughts. I keep comparing survivorship to grief-it never gets better but you learn to deal with it. Hopefully it'll get better over time? Do you find the few weeks lead up to scans worse? Naomi x
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    Hi there

    when anyone dies from cancer I feel like I've lost a fellow battler....it's worse when it's a young child and I can't get through stand up to cancer without thinking how lucky I am

    im now 2+ years post treatment for neck cancer and life is beautiful

    I get worried when I get a lump, but quickly calm myself down and remember that under this survivor exterior I am a normal person and normal people get lumps and bumps all the time

    i hope it all goes well for you

    vatch

     

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