Every two years I need an MRI on my brain to check on the long-standing arachnoid cyst that has set up home there. Due to the high cost of this test, I do it via the public health system. In previous years I have only had to wait around a month to have it after the local doc has forwarded the referral, but this year for reasons unknown to me, I had to wait six months. Of course my overthinking brain has stressed about waiting for the test especially as I have had some further neurological issues since the last test was done. What a sigh of relief to finally have had it done two weeks ago. Now it is the wait until next week when I see the doc for the results.
Diana, I had a stem cell transplant for lymphoma in 2013 and have routine tests (that in fact recently showed it's back). I host a weekly call "living with cancer" through healingcirclesglobal.org and waiting for results is brought up frequently. Finding moments of Joy and writing them down, or leaving a message to myself on my phone has been helpful for me. Then listening to them when the anxiousness creeps in. Like: I can hear the birds outside, or my dog comforts me when I'm quiet, or there are still roses when I open up my bathroom window, or I love listening to Karen Drucker's music and am glad she's so comforting......
Catherine, I’m so sorry to hear that it’s back. Thank you for sharing this, especially your practice of collecting small moments of joy to return to when anxiety creeps in- love this idea! There’s something very grounding about that. Sending you much love.
My sister was diagnosed with lung cancer a year ago. She was full of life cycling, kayaking and visiting the gym. After 9 months of chemotherapy, she stopped and she died. She was 5 years younger than I am. Now, I’m convinced that every twinge in my body is a symptom. I have never been so aware of my mortality. As a vigilant person by nature, I’m sure that my reaction is quite normal but it is also quite exhausting.
I’m so sorry about your sister, Joanne. It’s completely understandable that an experience like that would make you hyper-aware of every little change in your own body. And yes, that kind of vigilance can be exhausting. ❤️
Every two years I need an MRI on my brain to check on the long-standing arachnoid cyst that has set up home there. Due to the high cost of this test, I do it via the public health system. In previous years I have only had to wait around a month to have it after the local doc has forwarded the referral, but this year for reasons unknown to me, I had to wait six months. Of course my overthinking brain has stressed about waiting for the test especially as I have had some further neurological issues since the last test was done. What a sigh of relief to finally have had it done two weeks ago. Now it is the wait until next week when I see the doc for the results.
Who doesn't absolutely loathe suspense? In the words of Bhagwan Tom Petty, "The waiting is the hardest part."
Very glad your mother continues healthy.
Diana, I had a stem cell transplant for lymphoma in 2013 and have routine tests (that in fact recently showed it's back). I host a weekly call "living with cancer" through healingcirclesglobal.org and waiting for results is brought up frequently. Finding moments of Joy and writing them down, or leaving a message to myself on my phone has been helpful for me. Then listening to them when the anxiousness creeps in. Like: I can hear the birds outside, or my dog comforts me when I'm quiet, or there are still roses when I open up my bathroom window, or I love listening to Karen Drucker's music and am glad she's so comforting......
Catherine, I’m so sorry to hear that it’s back. Thank you for sharing this, especially your practice of collecting small moments of joy to return to when anxiety creeps in- love this idea! There’s something very grounding about that. Sending you much love.
My sister was diagnosed with lung cancer a year ago. She was full of life cycling, kayaking and visiting the gym. After 9 months of chemotherapy, she stopped and she died. She was 5 years younger than I am. Now, I’m convinced that every twinge in my body is a symptom. I have never been so aware of my mortality. As a vigilant person by nature, I’m sure that my reaction is quite normal but it is also quite exhausting.
I’m so sorry about your sister, Joanne. It’s completely understandable that an experience like that would make you hyper-aware of every little change in your own body. And yes, that kind of vigilance can be exhausting. ❤️
People don’t realize sometimes that the stress of waiting on a test result is harder on the body than the situation they are testing for!