It’s scanxiety that finally pulled me down…
I found a lump in May 2021. In January 2022 I was finally diagnosed, after a single mastectomy, with triple negative metaplastic carcinoma. This is a rare breast cancer, with the worst prognosis of them all. I sailed through the mastectomy. I endured four cycles of TC, came out feeling terrible, but quickly recovered and since then have felt great, helped I’m sure by the loss of 20 kg. I managed this with minimal help: no McGrath nurse, missed out on the rehab exercise programme, and no support group other than you lovely people on this site. And when I read the stories on this site, I feel very fortunate, and proud of how I’ve dealt with the challenge. I’m 76.
But then comes the time for my 12 month follow up, due on 1 February. I attended for mammogram and ultrasound and suddenly wondered whether the referral to my surgeon had expired. Unfortunately it had, no doubt due to chemo brain on my part. My GP is booked 6 weeks in advance. I had an appointment with him booked for 3 February: just too late. So I rang the office, hoping to leave a message asking him to write a referral for me to pick up. I MET À BRICK WALL. No negotiation, couldn’t even fully explain my situation. These gatekeepers are just impenetrable! I was left with no alternative but to delay my appointment with the surgeon until 14 February. ANOTHER TWO WEEKS OF SCANXIETY! At my consultation with my GP today I just dissolved in tears and have hardly stopped since. This is my first emotional collapse in my entire cancer scenario. Yes, scanxiety is real, and insensitive behaviour like this can just make it so much worse!
But then comes the time for my 12 month follow up, due on 1 February. I attended for mammogram and ultrasound and suddenly wondered whether the referral to my surgeon had expired. Unfortunately it had, no doubt due to chemo brain on my part. My GP is booked 6 weeks in advance. I had an appointment with him booked for 3 February: just too late. So I rang the office, hoping to leave a message asking him to write a referral for me to pick up. I MET À BRICK WALL. No negotiation, couldn’t even fully explain my situation. These gatekeepers are just impenetrable! I was left with no alternative but to delay my appointment with the surgeon until 14 February. ANOTHER TWO WEEKS OF SCANXIETY! At my consultation with my GP today I just dissolved in tears and have hardly stopped since. This is my first emotional collapse in my entire cancer scenario. Yes, scanxiety is real, and insensitive behaviour like this can just make it so much worse!
