ANA Discussion Forum

General Category => AN Issues => Topic started by: questions?586 on October 06, 2010, 03:20:40 pm

Title: Also New
Post by: questions?586 on October 06, 2010, 03:20:40 pm

Hi:

Just checking in after lurking for a month.  I finally figured out how to post.  :D I did figure out how to send a pm.  Thanks Jim for your kind responses.  I've seen Dr. McKenna in Boston and talked on the phone with the Radiation Oncologist at BI (Cyberknife).  They said I could wait and have another MRI the beginning of Dec but now I'm noticing a little facial stuff as well as the already documented hearing loss.  And where did this anxiety come from?  Yikes.

Starr

Title: Re: Also New
Post by: Jim Scott on October 06, 2010, 03:47:04 pm

Starr ~

Welcome!  I'm so pleased that you're now able to post! 

The anxiety usually comes with the AN diagnosis.  It's how you know you're normal.  :)

Jim

Title: Re: Also New
Post by: TJ on October 06, 2010, 04:10:59 pm

Starr,

Welcome to the forum.  You have made another step in the jouney of AN's.  There is so much to learn and this is the place that can help with the process.   Get all the information you can so that with your doctors you can make the correct decision.

TJ

Title: Re: Also New
Post by: CHD63 on October 06, 2010, 05:24:50 pm

Hi Starr and welcome to this forum!

It sounds like you are doing well with the research and getting opinions.  Once a decision is made to either wait and watch or a treatment, you will feel much less anxious.  It is the unknown that causes the extreme anxiety in most of us.

Best thoughts.  Clarice

Title: Re: Also New
Post by: leapyrtwins on October 06, 2010, 06:56:32 pm

Welcome to the Forum, Starr.

If your symptoms are getting worse - or if you are experiencing new ones - watching and waiting might not be your best bet.

While you have no need to immediately jump into treatment, you might want to be proactive.

Jan

Title: Re: Also New
Post by: questions?586 on October 06, 2010, 09:09:52 pm

I'm just loving this "new normal."  Is this like 50 being the new 40?   ;)  Thank you for all your kindness and sharing.  I will follow up on this sooner than originally planned.  I was hoping for the quick prayer miracle healing but it looks like some doctors hands might just need to be involved as well.

Title: Re: Also New
Post by: msuscottie on October 07, 2010, 08:52:07 am

Welcome Starr, wishing you all the best!

Title: Re: Also New
Post by: Lizard on October 07, 2010, 10:13:08 am

Starr,
Welcome to the forum, and yes the anxiety is totally normal and should decrease some once you've made a treatment decision.  please keep us posted.
Try to relax and enjoy your favorite activities and spend time with great friends and family.  Keeping yourself busy will help as well.
Take care,
Liz

Title: Re: Also New
Post by: james e on October 07, 2010, 02:10:33 pm

Welcome to the club. Lots of FRIENDS here. Once you have decided how you will handle this, your anxiety will just disappear. Have you had more than one opinion? Usually the high anxiety seems to be over how to treat your tumor. I changed my mind after three opinions. Regardless of how you get treated, get into good physical shape...it will help speed your recovery. Stay active here, and you will learn more about this tumor here than you will in a week with your doctor. None of us here are doctors, but we are the ones who live with this everyday. Read everything you can get your hands on. Ask lots of questions. Good luck to you.