Imagining the worst outcome.

My wife had breast cancer about a 18 months ago will excellent treatment outcome. No chemo and no radiation. She has continued to be monitored by her oncologist. During her last visit they noticed liver enzymes were a little off. They prescribed iron supplement taken three times a day and a CT scan. Today we went back to have doctor's assessment of the scan. New blood work showed liver and hemoglobin much improved.
The think is as soon as the CT scan was ordered she immediately convinced herself that the worst outcome was at our doorstep. She put herself through hell for a week. During our visit I asked the oncologist some probing questions and the answers made it clear that a patient in remission is subject to very careful scrutiny intended to assure that it isn't recurring. Crisis averted.

Bless your heart for having the courage to dig deeper, that has to help her, that fear is always hovering when
treatment is ongoing. Prayers for your family.

IrishEyes said:

Bless your heart for having the courage to dig deeper, that has to help her, that fear is always hovering when
treatment is ongoing. Prayers for your family.

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Thanks. We've been married almost 59 years so I'm no stranger to the signals she displays waiting for news. I also realize I could give her the exact same information delivered by her doctor and still she would be anxious. So I try to make sure that the doctor addresses just what I know is on her mind. Then we had a very nice lunch and did some grocery shopping.

Getting retested during remission is always a little stressful. I have to get retested annually with a PSA blood test for prostate cancer for the rest of my life.

I was told by my wife's cardiologist about 10 years ago that major medical events like cancer or major surgery often leaves the patient with PTSD. Now my wife, our daughter and our daughter-in-law, like you get retested regularly. Best wishes and prayers for your continued remission. Be well.