Now that you have the real definition of SCANXIETY, we can move to why it occurs and what to do about it. For every type of cancer, it could be different. Most solid tumor cancer patients have PETSCANs and CT Scans at least every six months to see how far the cancer is progressing or receding. A PETSCAN is a real treat. You get injected with a radioactive tracer. Then they put you in a scanner to see if you light up like bulbs on a Christmas tree. If so, the cancer has spread, metastasized or has disappeared. Most cancer patients have a baseline PETSCAN when the initial diagnose is given. PETSCAN stands for Positron Emission Tomography. It is an imaging technique that uses radioactive substances called radiotracers that show and measure changes in metabolic processes. The radioisotopes that are attached to drugs that travel from tissues to organs and then are measured to see where cancer has spread. My oncologist/hematologist refused to order a PETSCAN for me. He thought it would be too much radiation exposure that could be prevented. In turn I got my second opinion at Dana Farber, where they agree that every MM patient should have a baseline PETSCAN. Talk about scanxiety, I was so afraid I was going to light up like a X-mas tree and that cancer would be everywhere on my bones. To my surprise it was completely normal. Phew, relief finally, no lesion ornaments to find!
Most cancer patients have a scan every six months once in remission. The anxiety that comes with this is horrid. Face it, you are in good health finally and then waiting for the other Ferragamo to drop! My question is, what happens when you finally hit the preverbal five-year milestone of being cancer free? You still must have the 6-month scans. Do you have the same anxiety? Can you ever relax or is scanxiety forever? My guess is an absolute YES, unfortunately.
There are other types of testing that causes acute anxiety that I will include in Scanxiety. That is blood work. I wait for hematological extraction every month when I go into Hillman Cancer Center for immunotherapy since I am in remission and off chemo. My veins are like tape worms that see or even smell a phlebologist or nurse within ten feet. They are like, “whoa, not you again, can’t you see we have had enough sticking and prodding for a lifetime?” When you are not in remission with a blood cancer, and still on chemo and immunotherapy and of course my favorite Dexamethasone steroids, you still have the multiple vials of blood work. They are truly vampires. Greedy, looking for that blood, they check to see if your health status changes. Extremely fun times. I must wait for the “vein whisper” to be available after the first nurse tries and fails to get a drop from my depraved dried up veins. Even in remission many cancers still get blood work every month if you are any type of treatment like immunotherapy. Also, every three months most cancer patients get blood work done. It is hard to just feel calm, confident and not have anxiety. So then, what do you do to avoid or prevent Scanxiety? So very glad you asked.
Cathy Chemo’s top ten tips to avoid scanxiety:
- Identify your “worry triggers” and move to stop the immediate betrayal of your body. Once the worrying starts, focus on ways to counteract the stress. Correlate it to something you really like to do. Like Shop online! This is a great distraction. By the time you click on your cart to checkout, you will forget about the tightness in your chest. If you do not have people to buy for, please send me an email and I will follow up with stuff I want!
- Just Flippin Breathe! Use your abdominal muscles. Yes, you have them. Take long deep breaths and blow out slowly. There is the Navy Seal breathing technique.
a. Inhale for 4 seconds.
b. Hold your lungs full of air for 4 seconds.
c. Exhale for 4 seconds.
d. Hold your lungs empty for 4 seconds. - Give yourself time to be fearful. Scream for five minutes. Break a plate! But limit the amount of time you feed the anxiety. This is the main reasons to go to garage sales. Pick up some cheap plates. Oh, and wear some googles! No one needs an eye poked out!
- Try something physical. You are either a yoga person or a kick boxing person like me. Usually people do not do both. In these days of COVID, you can get a punch bag at home or everyone has access to YouTube and yoga classes. Either of two will get your heart rate up the correct way, not the stressful way.
- Watch a TED Talk on PTSD, stress, or just plain old humor. I listen to a TED Talk every day. I start the day with something positive or funny. If you don’t prefer a TED Talk, there are thousands of interesting podcasts. Believe it or not anxiety and PTSD, even death can have a funny side to them. You can google TED Talks & Podcasts. Pick a podcast about something you love, like jewelry, dogs, cats, even murder. Watching these can provide a good distraction, especially the murder part!
- Phone a friend. Find someone that can come with you to your scan or bloodwork. Even if they must stay in the lobby during COVID times. It is always great to have someone distract you and cheer you up, or at least try to keep you positive. If you have no friends or family then you can email me. I will call you back. My rate is rather high though! JK.
- Celebrate the day instead of dreading it. Have positive thinking take over the stress and fear. Plan and treat yourself to a great breakfast or lunch. Get dressed up. When you can’t stop the stress, I’m sure a glass of the bubbly wouldn’t hurt and may be just what you need. Make sure you are ok to drive or better yet Uber to the hospital. A little Veuve never hurt anyone.
- Try CBD oil. If you have a medical marijuana card, you can partake in CBD with THC which really calms anxiety. Plan for it to take up to thirty minutes to kick in. You will relax and perhaps feel as if you have a bit of extra calm energy. If you have that medical card, perhaps a few tokes on a pen or blunt could assist. But dear Lord, don’t try this the first time that you are going in for tests. Pre-game prior to your testing day to see what works better.
- Online Shop! This is my favorite way of coping and you not only get distracted for the time before you leave for your tests, but will have a surprise most likely because you may not remember what you purchased as it arrives in a few days. Look for something that is out of your budget or something that you always wanted but never had the opportunity to get for yourself. You can always hit the return button if the test comes back negative if you don’t feel like celebrating.
- During COVID time, the most sought-after professionals are therapists. Trying to find a good therapist that takes new patients is really proven difficult in the past few months. Therapy can be a great help with scanxiety. They can facilitate coping mechanisms for you to manage the stress. Just make sure that they are providing good homework as I call it and not just visiting with you.
Regardless of how you learn to manage your scanxiety, one thing is for sure. You can not predict the future! Surprisingly, The NY Times just posted an article on how many people are seeking psychics. I do believe in people that have a sixth sense. I’m just not sure how many really are legit. I have been to ones in the past that were scary accurate. Or maybe they just told me what I wanted or needed to hear. Perhaps you could find one by references from crazy friends? If you can’t find a talent that can read your future, then at least trust in your own instincts. Believe in the power of your own healing and of course trust in God, if you are the least bit religious or spiritual. You might be surprised of how much you can calm yourself. So, when the bone marrow, lungs, pancreas, or whatever type of cancer you have betrays your body once again, you will be able to handle it no matter what. Trust in yourself, always!
As always, I am looking forward to hearing from all of you. Until then find something funny to talk about and share!
Best,
Cathy