| | Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 67 Likes: 1 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | OP  Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 67 Likes: 1 | Everybody has experienced scanxiety, the fear pending the results of a scan.
I occasionally suffer from screenaphobia, the fear ahead of my periodic cancer screens that they will show a recurrence.
Just curious to see if anyone has a term to label their particular fears. I occasionally get a swollen lymph node from allergies or cough up some mucus. Painful wait time for things to clear up. It's taken cancer to make me a hypochondriac.
John
Oropharyngeal Cancer, SCC, HPV 16+, stage IV T1N2b age 45
Started in my tonsils and spread to my lymph nodes
Cisplatin x3 with concurrent daily radiation treatments started 10/22/13 finished 12/6/2013
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 644 Likes: 1 "OCF Down Under, Kiwi" "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "OCF Down Under, Kiwi" "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 644 Likes: 1 | I like the term scanxiety even if we are not having an actual scan. It's that feeling we know oh so well every time we have a significant test. You are not a hypochondriac in my book. It's a rational fear for anyone who has had cancer.
Maybe I could add the term torchaphobia to describe that fearful moment when the ENT doctor shines the torch in your mouth.You can almost hear the cogs in their brain working:)
1996, ovarian cancer surgery + cisplatin and taxol.
September, 2007, SCC of left lateral tongue. Excision.
October, 2009 recurrence in scar tissue, T1NOMO. Free flap surgery from left wrist - neck dissection. 63 year old New Zealander. No chemo, no RT.
February, 2014. New primary in left buccal mucosa. Marginal mandibulectomy, neck dissection, right arm free forearm flap. T1N0M0 but third occurrence and some areas of concern: RT started 8 April and finished 19 May.
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 3,267 Likes: 1 | I learned from everyone, and refer it as scanxiety as well. Maybe PTSD, White Coat Syndrome thrown in too, but they don't really bother me at this point, with over 30 scans, until I read the written report, and if it says cancer, better yet that it's clear. Then move on to the next direction, which I know may be more doctors, tests to confirm, if needed, or wait until next time. So far, I've been clear since 5/14, and my 6th month scan is due in December.
Good luck with future clear scans, and follow-ups!
10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil
11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp
01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks
06/11 30 HBO
08/11 RND PNI
06/12 SND PNI LVI
08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy
10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux
10/13 SND
10/13 TBO/Angiograph
10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI
12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo
11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO
03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN
09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy
04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site
06/17 Heart Attack Stent
02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 67 Likes: 1 Supporting Member (50+ posts) | | OP Supporting Member (50+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 67 Likes: 1 | I'm struggling with this a little today. Have cold/allergy symptoms. Swollen lymph nodes.
Nothing is quite how it used to be in my neck. I check the swollen nodes and reassure myself since there is no pulse like before. It's hard to know what is normal now.
One month out from my two year screen. I wish I could get a PET scan. It might reduce my chance of heart disease.😊
Nothing like the taste of radio iodine in the morning.
Oropharyngeal Cancer, SCC, HPV 16+, stage IV T1N2b age 45
Started in my tonsils and spread to my lymph nodes
Cisplatin x3 with concurrent daily radiation treatments started 10/22/13 finished 12/6/2013
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 644 Likes: 1 "OCF Down Under, Kiwi" "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "OCF Down Under, Kiwi" "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 644 Likes: 1 | I know. It's hard when you have a cold and nodes come up. I calculate how long till my next check up and figure out how long I should wait till the virus has passed. Last time it turned out all right. What I do know is that we are not experts in figuring out the baseline for our own glands. Sometimes we need an expert to check them. So, if you are freaking out, ring the surgeon's nurse. Take action. Do what I say, not what I do:)
1996, ovarian cancer surgery + cisplatin and taxol.
September, 2007, SCC of left lateral tongue. Excision.
October, 2009 recurrence in scar tissue, T1NOMO. Free flap surgery from left wrist - neck dissection. 63 year old New Zealander. No chemo, no RT.
February, 2014. New primary in left buccal mucosa. Marginal mandibulectomy, neck dissection, right arm free forearm flap. T1N0M0 but third occurrence and some areas of concern: RT started 8 April and finished 19 May.
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