Scanxiety it's important Let's talk about it

I found an article written by Kristine Thomason (For Many Breast Cancer PAtients, Scanxiety Is More Serious Than You Think) about Scanxiety and it's enduring impact on survivors and thrivers.

https://www.popsugar.com/health/scanxiety-49309002

For survivors the routine trip to get your scan can induce anxiety right from the moment you set the appointment. If you have any form of claustrophobia it can make your anxiety even worse obviously. 

For me it brings up my mortality every 3months when I do get a scan. I think each time of my child and how young she is even now as a 14 year survivor. It is important that we don't discount ourselves and our feelings around scans. Even though it can seem like a small thing.

For those of us that are multi-instance survivors we have had the other shoe drop and it is my opinion that the stress a 2/3x survivor can be so much greater just because you know what is coming. You are dredging the results and the possible phone call with bad news.

We talk about mental health a lot here and I do that because it is important that no matter what the issue is you listen to your body.

Taking time to listen to your breath doing a 4x4 box breath can help you to calm down anytime. If you don’t have a therapist it is important that you are talking to a professional that can help guide you through this process.

Simple meditation anytime you feel the scan anxiety creeping in is a great way to attack the feelings.  I frequently just talk to my self like I am talking to a friend reminding myself that it has not happened yet and to not borrow trouble. Future fear was a huge thing for me in my 20’s I was always stuck in my head and meditation has really helped me to be here right now.

I encourage you to spend at least 10 mins a day meditating it will change your life. One thing that cancer survivors all have in common is that we are not good at making us the priority. Making time for me is one of the major changes that has happened during my journey. Make sure you’re not apologetic to others as this me time is necessary to your good health.

If you are not sure on what is right for you check out some of my other posts on meditation and relaxation. Make sure you have a support system that can kick in with a girls night or a movie marathon to distract you while waiting for results.

Sending you love, light, and healing