Jitters over my first six month check-up.

[Tamara_KL]

I havn't posted on here in ages. Since I was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma (oral cancer) in Oct '08, once I got through the horrendous surgeries I just wanted to get back to 'normal' as quickly as possible and put the cancer behind me. It's been six months since my last check-up, and I have to see the specialist again on March 10. The nerves are already starting to hit me. How do other folks out there manage to settle in to the longer-term routine of check-ups? How do you deal with those nerves when you've had 'X' number of months where you don't have to think about your Cancer - then realize you have to face that possibility again. Sometimes I really struggle with the fact that while we might be in remission, might even be 'cured' - we're never really free of it. Tamara

[Jules2]

Hi Tamara I have just done a 3 month check up ... i try and look on it as a challenge to keep my head in a healthy place. It is ok for me to be sad and to think some sad thoughts but i try not to allow myself to stay there. Its not easy and i have to constantly work at it, but i find it works for me and of course its not going to be a good approach for everyone. Good luck with your scans. Julie

[bev]

Hello, Well it is three years in June since I was diagnosed with my uterine cancer. I have been regularly having my three monthly check ups with my gyno oncologist and for the next three monthly my radiation oncologist. I am now on six monthly visits, which means I will only see each of them once a year. I might be strange, but I really look forward to my check ups. I treat it like a challenge. I only have the internal examination and also one done with the speculum. Oh, and every year I have a colonoscopy. I feel good when I see them, because I feel that if any cancer is present then I can catch it early. Am I strange for feeling like this? By the way I have been told that I have HNPCC which is inherited cancer syndrome. Let's all show Mr Cancer that he can't rule our lives forever.

[Jules2]

Hey Bev I am with you on that one "Let's all show Mr Cancer that he can't rule our lives forever." We can just change the balance of power in small increments and take our own personal power back. Julie xo

[#5]

Hi there Tamara, I finished treatment for SCC in my tonsil area at the end of October last year & i had my 1st lot of scans in January, which showed my cancer has gone. I still have lymph nodes on both sides of my neck but they have shrunk to 1cm & seem ok at the present time. Looking back i've noticed that for some reason i found that i withdrew from people before my checkup & didn't make a point of telling people what date i had to see the Onc guys for my results. I didn't write it on the calendar & I seemed to keep it low key. The only thing i can think of is that i didn't want everyone making a big deal out of it & maybe that's because i was scared of what i was gonna be told? I really don't even understand myself Tamara why i was like it & at the time i thought i was coping fine but i do remember i was getting very "snappy" with people & had quite a short fuse! As for never feeling "free" of the disease, i couldn't agree more but i really want to try & not let the cancer control my life...easier said than done! Good luck March 10th:) Hugs Mez 😉

[benlisecca]

Can I jitter with you Tamara? I have the last of my 12 month check ups on the 10th of March too. I fully get the feeling 🙂 Check ups scare the pants off me (hahaha....quite literally with check ups for anal cancer....hahaha.....) I feel like I am gritting my teeth for the weeks leading up to THE date and just steeling myself to have to go thru it. I'm looking forward to both of us having good news on the 10th, it's going to be a positive day Thinking of you Sharon xxxxx