Waiting for test results

I've had cancer too and don't have those tests. Is it only for certain types of cancer, or does it vary according to the HA?

I know how waiting for these tests and results can wear you down, but every six months must be very stressful. x

It's the type of tumour I've had. If it comes back they can detect chemicals in my blood. It may never come back, but they've told me there's a 30% chance it will and that never goes away.

Thanks for the kindness Ana.

So sorry polly. It must be a worry every time but at least with them being done every 6 months I would hope that if anything is going wrong they can catch it early. .

(((Hug))))the anxiety must be awful. It's ok to feel sorry for yourself. I hope there's somone here who can empathise. Best wishes for a good outcome

I'm bad at waiting for anything, so I'd be awful for something like this pollyparrot. A big hug and

Allow yourself to feel sorry now and then, we all would polly and in the time in between, enjoy life as much as you can.None of us knows how much longer we will be here, but the regular checks must be very nerve wracking.???

polly

roses is right. You wouldn't be human if you didn't feel just a little bit sorry for yourself every now and again.

It sounds as if you are being very well looked after.

Isn't the positive side of it that they will know quite quickly if the cancer returns, and be able to do something about it, polly?

What lovely replies, those kind words and the flowers, mean a lot. Thank you xxx

Polly - so sorry to hear of your worries. It was my year to do the bowel cancer test this year and I've spent a worrying few days waiting for the results. I was ok - and I hope you will be, too. As someone above has said, it's not a bad thing that you are tested every six months as, if there is a problem, you will have a much better chance of successful treatment, so think positive. Here's hoping you will get a letter with good news very soon. In the meantime, try not to think about it too much and enjoy each day as it comes. Have this cupcake on me.

You're just being human polly. It would be odd if you were not worried. My husband needs a CT scan every six months, so I know how worrying these times are. We have just had the latest one and it was ok. As someone said just enjoy life as much as you can between tests. It's great that they are keeping a close eye on you and if there is a blip it can be dealt with. It's good you are able to share your anxieties with us and do let us know how it goes. Hugs from me too.

Pollyparrot I can understand how scary it must be for you. There are a number of people on here who have been through stress like this.

How very difficult for you - on the one hand it is brilliant that a simple blood test can be done to reassure you that all is well; but on the other, you have this period of suspense every time. My friend is in the same boat.
Bear up, and do not feel bad about feeling sorry for yourself - we would all be the same.

Poor you, it must be so nerve racking to go through this every 6 months. Knowing that they'll have a good chance of detecting it early is comforting on one level, but you still can't help feeling down in the dumps about it.
The flip side must be when you get the 6 monthly all clear, and you can relax for a while. Make sure you enjoy those worry free months and live them to the full!
In the meantime, feel sorry for yourself all you like - you wouldn't be normal if you didn't.

My head tells me that if it was me I'd be relieved I was being so carefully and regularly checked BUT my heart tells me I'd find it a very difficult emotional rollercoaster to manage in reality. Most of us just want someone to tell us everything's going to be fine, certainty is so much easier to cope with. Be kind to yourself, pollyparrot

Thanks everyone, you're all so lovely. I have to wait around three weeks for the results to come back. I'm just into the third week. I'm seeing the doctor on Tuesday.

I'm thinking about doing some serious retail therapy today!

It must be bad enough having had cancer in the first place,but the suspense of waiting is cruel,how I wish that the results of all the tests came back straightaway,I am not very good at waiting for blood test results and mammogram/bowel cancer screening and find my self holding my breath each time ......enjoy your retail therapy Polly you deserve a treat and try and take your mind off it for a few hours

I can empathise polly, I was having daily blood tests but now they are weekly. I would consider 6 monthly testing as a positive thing and a very small price to pay for peace of mind.
NotTooOld I had the bowel screening, negative result but I already had bowel cancer. Not wanting to scare people but do not let these tests lull you into a false sense of security, if you have any worrying symptoms get it checked.

Polly

It is a worrying time for you and all I can say is another well wisher here.

I'm a fully paid up member of the 'worried well society' and am a wreck every time I do one of the health checks. Currently not doing the bowel cancer one that came through the post the other day as I know that I'll spend 3 weeks worrying myself sick waiting for the result. I'm such a coward. I wish their was another way to get test results other than waiting for the postman.

My DH has to have a blood test every six months for prostate cancer. At Xmas the result indicated a recurrence after five years. Two blood tests later we are seeing a consultant in April, with a view to locating this blip and knocking it on the head. We are staying positive, but, it can get a bit wearing, and at times gets us down. But, he's alive, and hopefully treatable, and for that we're very grateful. Warmest good wishes to everyone on here.

harrigran - Yes, they do explain that in the letter and they also tell you what other signs to look out for. It's a very good service, I think, even though there is the worrying waiting time to go through.
Tegan - do the test!
nigglynellie - My DH also gets tested regularly as his PSA count tends to be high. I don't know who gets most worried - him or me.