I decided to post on the Caretaker Forum since it hasn't had a "hit" in awhile. Just wanted to share that my husband had his first CT scan and chest x-ray since his treatment ended April 4 - everything clear! Yea! Obviously we are so relieved. He had the tests this past Monday but we had not gotten any calls about the results as of today, and frankly, I was very nervous and scared to call to find out. My husband wasn't bringing it up either. I had to call the docs office today for something unrelated, and decided we had to find out sooner or later, so I asked. They said they would have to call me back, so I was of course worrying that meant that she (the nurse) had to consult the doctor before giving us the bad news. However, she did call back and read me the report, and it appears that all is clear. I shared the news with family and friends, who of course were very happy, but somehow it seems to have more meaning to share on the OCF with people who have been through it.
I guess we will have a repeat of this scenario every 3 months or so for awhile. Although I am very relieved and very happy, somehow I am afraid to trust the results and still feel like we are waiting for the next "issue" to happen. Does that make sense?
Michele

Congratulations Michele!
I didn't get an "all clear" set of scans until the third set. Each time there was something they wanted to keep an eye on. I just got my 2 1/2 year scan (all clear), and I still worry. Not as much as I did 2 years ago, but I don't believe I'll ever be completely worry free. The lingering side effects won't let me forget the disease was here, but I have learned not to dwell on them and just live my life.

After all you've been through, it is normal to be concerned. Just don't let it consume you. Live your life. Work on recovery, and celebrate an all clear.

Good Health,

Chuck

Hi Michele -
Take the good news and run with it - the "waiting for the other shoe to drop" ("the next issue", as you called it) is common with most of us, trust me. As weeks turn to months, then years, you will find yourselves thinking about it less than you did right after treatment. In fact, you might even wake in the morning and go about your daily duties before it even pops into your head! Also, this is only MY observation, but I have found in years of dealing with doctor's offices, that if you DON'T hear when you were supposed to, it is usually a good report. Conscientious doctors will call right away if there is a report that needs immediate attention. Keep those "no calls" (not) coming! JaneP

Thanks for the reassuring words. I think you are right, it is time for celebration, and moving forward. I would like to think we might have a day when we wake without the first thing on our minds being the worry of a health related issue. I will have faith that will happen.

My best to all,
Michele