The Waiting Game
A cancer diagnosis is undoubtedly one of the most challenging and life-altering experiences someone can face. From the moment they receive the life-changing news, a rollercoaster of emotions, uncertainties, and fears begins. However, there is another part of the cancer journey that often goes unnoticed but weighs heavily on everyone – the waiting game. And not just the patient is affected. Loved ones, friends, even business associates, also go through this.
We spend A LOT of time waiting – often in fear.
So, what are the “pieces” of this game?
Waiting for a Diagnosis
The first step of the waiting game starts when someone suspects something may be wrong and seeks medical attention. Or, something can pop up on a routine office visit. Waiting for test results can be excruciating. The days or weeks spent anticipating a diagnosis can be filled with anxiety and sleepless nights. Each passing moment seems to stretch, amplifying the fear of the unknown and the potential outcomes. Good or bad, we want to know the answers! When we don’t, our imaginations run wild and often go to very dark places.
Waiting for Treatment Plans
Once a diagnosis is confirmed, the focus shifts to developing a treatment plan – a plan of attack. This often involves consultations with various specialists, which means more waiting. This can be mentally draining, as we grapple with the urgency of starting treatment while trying to understand the complex options and potential side effects. The waiting period can be filled with worry, second-guessing decisions, and the ever-present fear that time might be running out. We’ve all heard horror stories and are filled with dread. We also worry about how this will affect others, as well as our personal and professional lives.
Waiting for Medical Appointments
Medical waiting rooms. Bleh. This journey typically requires regular visits to healthcare facilities for treatments, surgeries, consultations, and follow-ups. Waiting in crowded waiting rooms, sometimes for hours, adds to someone’s stress. The constant anticipation, coupled with the discomfort and physical exhaustion, can take a toll on everyone.
Waiting for Test Results
During and after treatment, we undergo a variety of tests to monitor the effectiveness of the therapies. Waiting for test results can be nerve-wracking, as it determines whether the treatment is working or not. We often find ourselves in a state of limbo, our lives put on hold until we receive the crucial information. The emotional toll of waiting for these results cannot be overstated and we often expect the worst.
And Possibly the Worst…Waiting for the Cancer to Come Back
Even after completing our treatment, the waiting game is far from over. Cancer patients live with the constant fear of recurrence or progression. It’s like a dark shadow lurking just behind them. Every follow-up appointment, every scan, and every blood test brings a mix of hope and dread. Every lump, bump, ache, or pain fills someone with fear. This is an emotional rollercoaster, as we try to navigate life while simultaneously preparing for any potential news – and this goes on for years, often for our entire life.
So How Do We Cope?
Obviously, everyone handles their cancer journey differently. But, here’s five tips to help play the waiting game:
- Seek emotional support from friends, family, or support groups who understand the challenges of the waiting game. Build your tribe!
- Engage in stress-reducing activities such as meditation, yoga, or hobbies to distract from anxious thoughts.
- Educate yourself about your diagnosis and treatment plan to gain a sense of control and understanding.
- Communicate openly and honestly with healthcare providers about concerns and anxieties, ensuring a clear understanding of the waiting process.
- Focus on self-care and maintaining a healthy lifestyle to optimize physical and mental well-being.
And a bonus tip: do everything you can to try to stay in control. YOU are in charge of this journey and all of the decisions that come with it.
To Conclude
The waiting game is an unavoidable aspect of a cancer patient’s journey, entailing countless periods of anticipation, anxiety, and uncertainty. It affects not only the patient but also their loved ones, friends, and associates who offer support throughout this challenging time. By acknowledging the burden of waiting and implementing coping strategies, we can navigate the emotional challenges.
If you are supporting someone on their journey, remember to show compassion, empathy, and understanding to them as they endure the waiting game, as they battle not only cancer but also the weight of time.
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