UGH, the wait is on

[Margaret]

Since finding out Boyce had cancer, 1 year 3 months and 27 days ago (who's counting ) I have waited for lots of blood work....and for some reason, it does not get any easier.

I will continue to say it, the worst part about cancer for me is the waiting. UGH, the damn waiting...waiting for news, waiting for scans, waiting for surgery to be done, waiting to see him, waiting to see if the chemo is working, waiting for the AFP to come back. Once I get the news, I can deal with it...but the waiting is just crap!

Boyce, yes I am telling on him , has been putting off his blood draws. He will tell you he is a month late but really he is 2 months behind. But he went in today and they drew blood and want to see us back at the cancer center on Monday afternoon. Tick Tock Tick Tock....I feel like I will do nothing but stare at my watch between now and Monday afternoon at 1:45.

Waiting is cruel

[TCLEFT]

Margaret,
First of all I have to admit Boyce isn't the only stubborn one. I'm planning a one month shift myself. Just to get past the holidays. A little superstitious as well. I've done OK the second half of this year (with one scare) going on the even Months in an odd (very odd) year. I'm planning an odd Month / even Year thing for '08. Just a superstitious quirk of mine. Back on topic. My Cancer center runs the blood results when I'm there. Are they making you wait for the results, or is Monday the Oncologist appointment? Can you get the results earlier than Monday?

[Jilleighn]

I know the feeling. It sucks. The oncology office called to reschedule ERic's appointment. It was suppose to be this friday, now it is the 19th. BLAH! Can you call to see if the results are in any sooner? You are in my thoughts!

[Margaret]

It usually takes them 3-4 days to get the back...which would put us at Monday anyway . So I will grind it out. I hate it. But I hate cancer more.

[Karen]

Margaret,
Ray's bloodwork and CT come back Tuesday morning....I am looking forward to both of us posting all clears! We're almost 2 yeras out and the anxiety is still there. Cancer sucks.

[Manny]

I hear you about the waiting. It definitely makes it harder. I actually said that to my family doctor who is a close friend as well. He told me to check what time the lab work for the day is picked up, and make my blood work ntments before that. That has worked quite well - I asked my Urologist and have been able to get my results in 24 hours. may be worth trying - his office uses LabCorp and they pickup at noon. So I try and get there by 11am so I cab get the results the next day.

[Jay68442]

Hi Margaret,
The waiting gets easier as time goes by. I go once a year to have blood drawn and once it is done and I leave the office I forget all about it. I no longer wait for results. I have them call only if something is wrong. No call no problem. I don't look back.

As for putting off blood work, we all do it. I sometimes wait months past the one year make to go. But of course my wife is right there to remind me (annoy me to death) that it is time to go.

[Fish]

Margaret:

I confess, I put mine off as well. Instead of going last April, I went in June, which means I should go at the end of December, but I'm already planning on putting it off until the end of January. I used to think it was a male thing, but my wife also finds excuses to delay her mammograms.

I agree with everyone about the waiting. I'd be much happier if the results were available instantly.

Sending lots of positive thoughts and prayers your way, and yours too Sis. I look forward to the ALL CLEARS!

[CharlieFL]

Procrastination is the root of evil on these things. There was this TV ad from either the Cancer Society or Heart Association that had this guy walking around with his wife literally on his back (it was a real woman attached to this guy's back somehow). It was the most hillarious commercial I've ever seen, but it contained SO MUCH truth about how us guys treat our own health concerns. The good women in our lives tend to be on our back for us to get checked because they love us and we keep putting it off and look where it lands us sometimes!

Anyway, I have still to come up with a method to subdue your waiting anxiety as I suffer from it as well..... gotta muddle throught it by putting your mind onto something else - Boyce may not like this idea, but what about Christmas shopping?!?!? .

[Margaret]

One of my best skills is nagging

Are you kidding, Boyce Loves to shop...I am not so into it. So maybe that will help him pass the time.

[Already Bald]

I will continue to say it, the worst part about cancer for me is the waiting. UGH, the damn waiting...waiting for news,

I hear you Margaret- I had my latest xray last week, so now I wait to see the Dr. My meeting was scheduled for 11/12, but that is going to change because my doc has an off-site meeting.
So, now I wait for the call from his office, just to schedule my next mtg...

[Chris'Mom]

Margaret - I am with you on the wait....it is the worst part...and two years out for Chris and you know how paranoid I get......I hold my breath when they call me and for a second I wait for the good news and can live again for another three months...hang in there.....I am sure all will be good.....I am also glad to see Chris is not the only one who puts off the good ole tests....take care...Mary Ellen

[drom]

Alex just went for his 2 month blood work. I called the doctor's office the next morning for the results like I always do. The routine is they take my number and tell me the nurse will call me back. This time they take my number and say the doctor will call me back.

I hang up the phone and have a total mental breakdown. "Why is the doctor calling me back,oh my God they found something, oh no how do I tell Alex, my wife,I can't do this again so soon."

Total bloody insanity in my head. The phone rings a few minutes later and it is the nurse with the all clear and I relax. Amazing how the word doctor set me off so easy.The fear that is lurking in the back of my mind never goes away, ever.

Domenic

[mrsdavid1969]

Karen and Margaret, just wanted to be there to support you both, you are both such an inspiration and support on these boards that I wanted to be there for you both. Hope you can both try and put it behind you for the weekend, I know how hard that is though, why is there always a weekend involved, they always make the wait longer!

Take care and keep us posted Jo xxx

[Karen]

Domenic, great news on Alex's all clear!!!! Fingers crossed that Margaret, Joe and I can post the same next week!

And thank you, Jo!