Navigating Health Scares: How Do You Cope with the Waiting Period?

[maariasmith00]

Waiting for results can be the hardest part. When my father in law recently went through screenings, the days before getting the all clear were some of the longest we’d experienced. For those in this community, do you have any tips or rituals to stay calm and hopeful?

I’ve had cancer twice and DH has had cancer twice. We both approached it differently. DH assumed all is well until told otherwise. He doesn’t think about it. This is his normal attitude to life. I worry about everything. I imagine worst-case scenarios, while swinging wildly to “everything is all right and it’s been a terrible mistake and nothing to worry about”. It’s a form
if self protection- to imagine the worst to prepare yourself. However, it is really not good for you. It wrecks your mental health and destroys your day. It’s best to just get through each day at a time without projecting into the future about things that you actually don’t know. The outcome is no different if you worry about it or not, so best not to waste your time worrying. Let go of the rope with the monsters on the end. Do something else.

This is good advice thank you. I am waiting as I have an appointment next week to discuss some concerning test results and I am struggling not to dwell on it too much. DH just says not to worry about it until we know more but I am finding it so hard not to think the worst.

Distraction helps me. I have had a few waits over the years and keeping distracted really helps. So if it means a new audiobook, or arranging a walk with a friend, or using the nervous energy to have a clear out, just do what it takes. Also just venting and talking through your worries is perfectly acceptable. It’s understandable that you are anxious and worried.

I had extra investigations for a lump but it turned out to be nothing.
Several times I've had investigations for nothing problems in me & DC so now tend to assume all scares are fake alarms. Honestly, I'd wait a lot longer next time before having a lump investigated.

Although I'm not a worrier ... I am a planner. I started thinking about how or when I'd tell DC or how I'd want my stuff disposed of, what plans would I need to make. The worst part would be telling my elderly dad. Luckily I only had to get used to the idea that I might have to figure out how to tell them before I had all clear.

Worrying is definitely a huge waste of time & energy.