3a First round of scans at MD nervous!

This topic has 45 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 2 months ago by Christinad.

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- January 16, 2017 at 5:42 pm
- Quote
iskitwo
Participant
This will be my first 3 month follow up scans and my first time to do scans at MD Anderson. It would be an understatement to say that I am nervous. Praying I made the right choice with wait and watch and the scans are clear. Does this scan process ever get any easier???

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- - January 16, 2017 at 6:40 pm
  - Quote
  jenny22
  Participant
  Iskitwo-
  
  Wanted to wish you good luck on your scans…..
  
  Regarding your question on "do they ever get any easier"???…..I am not really sure…i assume as time goes on, and the further out from ones diagnosis, they do….though I still have "scanxiety"….I have my next round of scans coming up in Feb…..and i am thinking them already….
  
  Best of luck on yours…..
- - January 16, 2017 at 6:40 pm
  - Quote
  jenny22
  Participant
  Iskitwo-
  
  Wanted to wish you good luck on your scans…..
  
  Regarding your question on "do they ever get any easier"???…..I am not really sure…i assume as time goes on, and the further out from ones diagnosis, they do….though I still have "scanxiety"….I have my next round of scans coming up in Feb…..and i am thinking them already….
  
  Best of luck on yours…..
- - January 16, 2017 at 6:40 pm
  - Quote
  jenny22
  Participant
  Iskitwo-
  
  Wanted to wish you good luck on your scans…..
  
  Regarding your question on "do they ever get any easier"???…..I am not really sure…i assume as time goes on, and the further out from ones diagnosis, they do….though I still have "scanxiety"….I have my next round of scans coming up in Feb…..and i am thinking them already….
  
  Best of luck on yours…..
  - January 16, 2017 at 7:52 pm
    
    Quote
    iskitwo
    Participant
    
    Best wishes for you too in Feb. I am trying to take it a day at a time and enjoy every moment in between but some days are hard!!
  - January 16, 2017 at 7:52 pm
    
    Quote
    iskitwo
    Participant
    
    Best wishes for you too in Feb. I am trying to take it a day at a time and enjoy every moment in between but some days are hard!!
  - January 16, 2017 at 7:52 pm
    
    Quote
    iskitwo
    Participant
    
    Best wishes for you too in Feb. I am trying to take it a day at a time and enjoy every moment in between but some days are hard!!
- - January 16, 2017 at 7:40 pm
  - Quote
  Aloha14
  Participant
  Good luck with your scans. I've just finished surgery and the baseline scans I think 3 months out I'm only scheduled for ultrasound for groin lymph nodes but will be checking with my surgeon soon. Which scans are you scheduled to have?
  
  I hope the scans get easier, both from worry about finding something to actually going in the machine, as I'm clausterphobic.
- - January 16, 2017 at 7:40 pm
  - Quote
  Aloha14
  Participant
  Good luck with your scans. I've just finished surgery and the baseline scans I think 3 months out I'm only scheduled for ultrasound for groin lymph nodes but will be checking with my surgeon soon. Which scans are you scheduled to have?
  
  I hope the scans get easier, both from worry about finding something to actually going in the machine, as I'm clausterphobic.
  - January 16, 2017 at 7:48 pm
    
    Quote
    iskitwo
    Participant
    
    Thank you! I am scheduled for a CT and brain MRI. The brain MRI will be my first. I had a CT and the PET 3 months ago when I was first diagnosed. Wishing you the best!
  - January 16, 2017 at 7:48 pm
    
    Quote
    iskitwo
    Participant
    
    Thank you! I am scheduled for a CT and brain MRI. The brain MRI will be my first. I had a CT and the PET 3 months ago when I was first diagnosed. Wishing you the best!
  - January 16, 2017 at 7:48 pm
    
    Quote
    iskitwo
    Participant
    
    Thank you! I am scheduled for a CT and brain MRI. The brain MRI will be my first. I had a CT and the PET 3 months ago when I was first diagnosed. Wishing you the best!
- - January 16, 2017 at 7:40 pm
  - Quote
  Aloha14
  Participant
  Good luck with your scans. I've just finished surgery and the baseline scans I think 3 months out I'm only scheduled for ultrasound for groin lymph nodes but will be checking with my surgeon soon. Which scans are you scheduled to have?
  
  I hope the scans get easier, both from worry about finding something to actually going in the machine, as I'm clausterphobic.
- - January 16, 2017 at 8:04 pm
  - Quote
  jennunicorn
  Participant
  Some level of scanxiety will always be there, it's just human of us to be a little nervous since we have no clue what's going on inside. But, over time I do feel it gets easier. I have my PET/CT tomorrow, first one since I had a recurrence in Sept and first since I started Ipi/Nivo combo, but it's my 5th total. Gotta say, I'm a little nervous, but I don't let it overwhelm me. I always go out to a nice lunch afterward since the fasting part makes me so hungry, so I focus on that the day of the scan.
  
  The brain MRI is my least favorite scan, I've had 2 of those, so if you have any level of claustrophobia I would ask your doc for a couple anti anxiety pills to help you relax. I always need them for the brain MRI.
  
  Best of luck with your scans! Can't wait to hear they're all clear 🙂
  - January 16, 2017 at 8:32 pm
    
    Quote
    iskitwo
    Participant
    
    Prayers that you get great news from your scans too!!
  - January 16, 2017 at 8:32 pm
    
    Quote
    iskitwo
    Participant
    
    Prayers that you get great news from your scans too!!
  - January 16, 2017 at 8:32 pm
    
    Quote
    iskitwo
    Participant
    
    Prayers that you get great news from your scans too!!
  - January 17, 2017 at 12:46 am
    
    Quote
    jennunicorn
    Participant
    
    Thank you!
  - January 17, 2017 at 12:46 am
    
    Quote
    jennunicorn
    Participant
    
    Thank you!
  - January 17, 2017 at 12:46 am
    
    Quote
    jennunicorn
    Participant
    
    Thank you!
- - January 16, 2017 at 8:04 pm
  - Quote
  jennunicorn
  Participant
  Some level of scanxiety will always be there, it's just human of us to be a little nervous since we have no clue what's going on inside. But, over time I do feel it gets easier. I have my PET/CT tomorrow, first one since I had a recurrence in Sept and first since I started Ipi/Nivo combo, but it's my 5th total. Gotta say, I'm a little nervous, but I don't let it overwhelm me. I always go out to a nice lunch afterward since the fasting part makes me so hungry, so I focus on that the day of the scan.
  
  The brain MRI is my least favorite scan, I've had 2 of those, so if you have any level of claustrophobia I would ask your doc for a couple anti anxiety pills to help you relax. I always need them for the brain MRI.
  
  Best of luck with your scans! Can't wait to hear they're all clear 🙂
- - January 16, 2017 at 8:04 pm
  - Quote
  jennunicorn
  Participant
  Some level of scanxiety will always be there, it's just human of us to be a little nervous since we have no clue what's going on inside. But, over time I do feel it gets easier. I have my PET/CT tomorrow, first one since I had a recurrence in Sept and first since I started Ipi/Nivo combo, but it's my 5th total. Gotta say, I'm a little nervous, but I don't let it overwhelm me. I always go out to a nice lunch afterward since the fasting part makes me so hungry, so I focus on that the day of the scan.
  
  The brain MRI is my least favorite scan, I've had 2 of those, so if you have any level of claustrophobia I would ask your doc for a couple anti anxiety pills to help you relax. I always need them for the brain MRI.
  
  Best of luck with your scans! Can't wait to hear they're all clear 🙂
- - January 16, 2017 at 10:07 pm
  - Quote
  Christinad
  Participant
  I am 3a also. Diagnosed in December 2014. I had a PET scan and brain MRI for initial staging, but have opted not to do f/u scans unless I have symptoms. My oncologist has agreed to this plan. The torture of waiting for results is too much for me. I admire your courage. Good luck on your upcoming scans
- - January 16, 2017 at 10:07 pm
  - Quote
  Christinad
  Participant
  I am 3a also. Diagnosed in December 2014. I had a PET scan and brain MRI for initial staging, but have opted not to do f/u scans unless I have symptoms. My oncologist has agreed to this plan. The torture of waiting for results is too much for me. I admire your courage. Good luck on your upcoming scans
- - January 16, 2017 at 10:07 pm
  - Quote
  Christinad
  Participant
  I am 3a also. Diagnosed in December 2014. I had a PET scan and brain MRI for initial staging, but have opted not to do f/u scans unless I have symptoms. My oncologist has agreed to this plan. The torture of waiting for results is too much for me. I admire your courage. Good luck on your upcoming scans
  - January 17, 2017 at 12:50 am
    
    Quote
    jennunicorn
    Participant
    
    I commend you for your bravery in not getting any scans…
    
    Just want to make sure you do know that the majority of people who end up in Stage 4 never had symptoms, they only found out about tumor spread because of a routine scan.
    
    Sometimes by the time someone has symptoms, it could be quite advanced.
    
    Very risky not to get any scans. Wishing you good health.
  - January 17, 2017 at 12:50 am
    
    Quote
    jennunicorn
    Participant
    
    I commend you for your bravery in not getting any scans…
    
    Just want to make sure you do know that the majority of people who end up in Stage 4 never had symptoms, they only found out about tumor spread because of a routine scan.
    
    Sometimes by the time someone has symptoms, it could be quite advanced.
    
    Very risky not to get any scans. Wishing you good health.
  - January 17, 2017 at 4:47 am
    
    Quote
    Christinad
    Participant
    
    I was torn for a long time deciding whether or not to get routine scans. Having worked as an oncology nurse, I watched some of my patients progress from stages 1-4. Some were diagnosed incidentally by scan with no symptoms and some diagnosed because of symptoms that led to a scan. Either way the outcome was similar. I don't know what the right answer is, but I know what's right for me and we all have to battle this journey in our own way. I pray everyday I'm making the right choice 🙁
  - January 17, 2017 at 4:47 am
    
    Quote
    Christinad
    Participant
    
    I was torn for a long time deciding whether or not to get routine scans. Having worked as an oncology nurse, I watched some of my patients progress from stages 1-4. Some were diagnosed incidentally by scan with no symptoms and some diagnosed because of symptoms that led to a scan. Either way the outcome was similar. I don't know what the right answer is, but I know what's right for me and we all have to battle this journey in our own way. I pray everyday I'm making the right choice 🙁
  - January 17, 2017 at 4:25 pm
    
    Quote
    iskitwo
    Participant
    
    Thanks for your point of view. I think you are right, you have to do what works best for YOU.
  - January 17, 2017 at 4:25 pm
    
    Quote
    iskitwo
    Participant
    
    Thanks for your point of view. I think you are right, you have to do what works best for YOU.
  - January 17, 2017 at 4:25 pm
    
    Quote
    iskitwo
    Participant
    
    Thanks for your point of view. I think you are right, you have to do what works best for YOU.
  - January 23, 2017 at 5:07 am
    
    Quote
    Christinad
    Participant
    
    Good luck with your scan results. Wishing you the best 🙂
  - January 23, 2017 at 5:07 am
    
    Quote
    Christinad
    Participant
    
    Good luck with your scan results. Wishing you the best 🙂
  - January 23, 2017 at 5:07 am
    
    Quote
    Christinad
    Participant
    
    Good luck with your scan results. Wishing you the best 🙂
  - January 17, 2017 at 4:47 am
    
    Quote
    Christinad
    Participant
    
    I was torn for a long time deciding whether or not to get routine scans. Having worked as an oncology nurse, I watched some of my patients progress from stages 1-4. Some were diagnosed incidentally by scan with no symptoms and some diagnosed because of symptoms that led to a scan. Either way the outcome was similar. I don't know what the right answer is, but I know what's right for me and we all have to battle this journey in our own way. I pray everyday I'm making the right choice 🙁
  - January 17, 2017 at 12:50 am
    
    Quote
    jennunicorn
    Participant
    
    I commend you for your bravery in not getting any scans…
    
    Just want to make sure you do know that the majority of people who end up in Stage 4 never had symptoms, they only found out about tumor spread because of a routine scan.
    
    Sometimes by the time someone has symptoms, it could be quite advanced.
    
    Very risky not to get any scans. Wishing you good health.
- - January 16, 2017 at 10:30 pm
  - Quote
  mjanssentx
  Participant
  Iskitwo – a couple of ways to answer your question…does it get any easier? So I am a 3A two plus year out from my diagnosis. I get MRIs once a year (so a total of 3 now) and PET scans every 3 months (so something like 8 or 9 of them).
  
  So the actual scan process does actually get easier over time. You become familiar with the process and you know what is going to be done and how. One really important tip I have learned for my PET scan is to bring a portable Bluetooth speaker so that I can listen to music during the hour or so after they give you the radioactive isotopes and during the actual scan process. Since you need to be perfectly still for quite a long time, I go into "Zen" mode…not quite asleep listening to my favorite music. (I use my phone connected to the Bluetooth speaker…which can be found on Amazon for $50-100)
  
  What doesn't get dramatically easier is scanxiety. It has gotten a bit better over the past year but taking my blood pressure right before I get the results with the oncologist is a completely worthless measure…way, way high.
  
  Best wishes going forward
  
  Michel
- - January 16, 2017 at 10:30 pm
  - Quote
  mjanssentx
  Participant
  Iskitwo – a couple of ways to answer your question…does it get any easier? So I am a 3A two plus year out from my diagnosis. I get MRIs once a year (so a total of 3 now) and PET scans every 3 months (so something like 8 or 9 of them).
  
  So the actual scan process does actually get easier over time. You become familiar with the process and you know what is going to be done and how. One really important tip I have learned for my PET scan is to bring a portable Bluetooth speaker so that I can listen to music during the hour or so after they give you the radioactive isotopes and during the actual scan process. Since you need to be perfectly still for quite a long time, I go into "Zen" mode…not quite asleep listening to my favorite music. (I use my phone connected to the Bluetooth speaker…which can be found on Amazon for $50-100)
  
  What doesn't get dramatically easier is scanxiety. It has gotten a bit better over the past year but taking my blood pressure right before I get the results with the oncologist is a completely worthless measure…way, way high.
  
  Best wishes going forward
  
  Michel
- - January 16, 2017 at 10:30 pm
  - Quote
  mjanssentx
  Participant
  Iskitwo – a couple of ways to answer your question…does it get any easier? So I am a 3A two plus year out from my diagnosis. I get MRIs once a year (so a total of 3 now) and PET scans every 3 months (so something like 8 or 9 of them).
  
  So the actual scan process does actually get easier over time. You become familiar with the process and you know what is going to be done and how. One really important tip I have learned for my PET scan is to bring a portable Bluetooth speaker so that I can listen to music during the hour or so after they give you the radioactive isotopes and during the actual scan process. Since you need to be perfectly still for quite a long time, I go into "Zen" mode…not quite asleep listening to my favorite music. (I use my phone connected to the Bluetooth speaker…which can be found on Amazon for $50-100)
  
  What doesn't get dramatically easier is scanxiety. It has gotten a bit better over the past year but taking my blood pressure right before I get the results with the oncologist is a completely worthless measure…way, way high.
  
  Best wishes going forward
  
  Michel
- - January 17, 2017 at 11:41 pm
  - Quote
  Everymoment
  Participant
  Due to the number of scans I’ve had…..I have spent too much of my life waiting….I’m really trying to enjoy the days. It’s so freaking HARD!
- - January 17, 2017 at 11:41 pm
  - Quote
  Everymoment
  Participant
  Due to the number of scans I’ve had…..I have spent too much of my life waiting….I’m really trying to enjoy the days. It’s so freaking HARD!
- - January 17, 2017 at 11:41 pm
  - Quote
  Everymoment
  Participant
  Due to the number of scans I’ve had…..I have spent too much of my life waiting….I’m really trying to enjoy the days. It’s so freaking HARD!
- - January 18, 2017 at 10:29 pm
  - Quote
  sarah.brannon
  Participant
  I just had my sixth scan this morning. Even though at my last one I was declared cancer free, I was still anxious today. Less anxious than before, maybe, but it’s still a worry that they’re gonna find something. I hope it went well for you!!
- - January 18, 2017 at 10:29 pm
  - Quote
  sarah.brannon
  Participant
  I just had my sixth scan this morning. Even though at my last one I was declared cancer free, I was still anxious today. Less anxious than before, maybe, but it’s still a worry that they’re gonna find something. I hope it went well for you!!
- - January 18, 2017 at 10:29 pm
  - Quote
  sarah.brannon
  Participant
  I just had my sixth scan this morning. Even though at my last one I was declared cancer free, I was still anxious today. Less anxious than before, maybe, but it’s still a worry that they’re gonna find something. I hope it went well for you!!