‘Scanxiety’ is next stop on my cancer journey; I’ve packed my faith and your support – Press Telegram

When I was told a year ago that my melanoma cancer was undetectable, I jumped for joy and figured my ordeal with the dread disease was over.

Not so fast, I should have told myself.

In the past 12 months, I have discovered that my cancer journey is not over. It’s shorter and better, but it’s not over. The stress and anxiety continues.

In fact, my dermatologist, Dr. Benjamin Farahnik, who discovered my Stage 3 cancer in a biopsy of a growth on the side of my head in 2022, told me recently that now is the most critical time for me to continue tests to see if cancer has spread anywhere in my body.

“You have been incredibly fortunate to have overcome cancer because you had a very aggressive form of the disease,” he told me. But, and this was the stressful part, he said the cancer, because it was so aggressive, could come back again.

That’s why I have been undergoing various tests at UCI Medical and at Farahnik’s office at the Long Beach Laser Skin Care Center to see if there are any signs of the cancer returning.

The tests have included blood tests and CT scans every three months at UCI Medical in Orange and body scans at Farahnik’s office.

Before and after each CT scan, I go through “scanxiety,” a new word I learned during my cancer fight.

Scanxiety is the anxiety patients go through worrying about the results of a CT scan which may tell you whether cancer has returned. So far, so good for me. My scans have all come back with no detectable sign of cancer.

But I have learned that doesn’t mean deadly cancer cells couldn’t be lurking around, too microscopic to be picked up by the CT cameras. But, if the cells grow, that’s when the scanning camera will show them.

That’s why I will have a CT scan every three months for another year or two to pick up any cancer growth so it can be treated early. Those scans will be followed by scans every six months. If, after five years, the scans show no detectable cancer, I will be able to say that I am in remission. Will I be able tosay I have been “cured?” That depends on what doctor you talk to. Some say yes.

Many say you are never cured once cancer invades your body.

I am still optimistic about my chances and will celebrate my good fortune so far, appropriately now, with Easter Sunday at hand, a day of rebirth and joy.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed and taking it one day at a time.

I want to thank all of the doctors, nurses and other health workers who have done such a marvelous job in treating me at UCI Medical and Laser Skin Care Center. I also want to thank my family, friends and readers for their support as I continue on this uncertain road.

In addition, I would like to ask you to continue keeping me in your prayers.

Because I got good news a year ago, at least one friend dropped me from his prayer list, figuring I was past the danger period.

Not so. I still need those prayers. They are literally a lifesaver.

Thank you. And Happy Easter.