The other day I arrived home to a letter with the distinctive blue UCL franking mark; the type of envelope in which results of scans and blood tests for the ovarian cancer screening study used to arrive.
This time last year seeing one of these envelopes lying on the doormat caused more than a moment of anxiety. The result may, or indeed may not, have been reassuring but always it was preceded by days of apprehension, anxiety when seeing it had arrived and a tense moment when opening the envelope and pulling out the letter.
Now, with the study over, my last test this time last year and no results outstanding, there was no anxiety on seeing the envelope. Just an element of curiosity followed by pleasure when I found that it contained details of a forthcoming event I plan to attend.
What a difference a year makes.
Eliza, congratulations on your one-year cancerversary. It's truly a milestone, as well as a different mindset--scanxiety turned to relief when you opened the envelope.
ReplyDeleteI had a similar experience when after a few years down the road from cancer treatment I received from the hospital, not a bill or a lab report, but an invitation to a watercolor class offered by the oncology nurse who treated me. What a welcome sight that was!
Great post! xx
A beautiful post, and such a rich insight into how our perceptions change. I hope you enjoy the event too :)
ReplyDeleteThank you both.
ReplyDeleteI'm actually three years out and yesterday was the anniversary of my first (and excellent) post treatment check-up. I then joined a study looking into the efficacy of screening for ovarian cancer - hence the scans and blood tests. That finished last year.
The event is today and no doubt I'll be talking about it in the near future!