If you’ve ever trained for a marathon, you might have come across the term maranoia. It’s that period before race day where every small ache suddenly feels significant and every missed session feels like a disaster.
In the world of cancer scans there’s a similar phenomenon, commonly known as scanxiety.The days or weeks waiting for scan results can play tricks on your mind in much the same way, turning small thoughts into much bigger worries.
I had my first MRI scan post operation,and post treatment, at the start of the month and get the results next Friday (27 February).
Of course every scan is quite significant, but with this being my first since surgery it seems even more so.
I am quite a positive person, but even so it is hard not to let my mind drift off to the worst case scenario every now and then. What happens if the scan shows the cancer has spread to a different part of the brain? What happens if it is in an area that is too dangerous for surgery?
Glioblastoma is fast growing and agressive and has pretty much a 100% reoccurence rate, usually within the first couple of years, so I know the moment will most likely come one day, just hopefully not yet!
I’ve been told that the first scan often doesn’t show too much. That is because usually there is still swelling from the surgery and radiotherapy, and this creates something called pseudoprogression, where it looks like the tumour has grown, but actually it is just swelling. The first scan is usually a baseline and it is the subsequent scans (which I will be having every three months), that will show more.
I think that’s the strange parallel between maranoia and scanxiety, both live in the space where the outcome isn’t known yet. Uncertainty is hard for everyone, before a marathon you worry about injury, about things going wrong, about it being too hot, about not fuelling properly, you nearly always think about the worst case scenario rather than “what about if everything goes perfectly?”. It is the same waiting for scan results.
And in both cases it is a marathon not a sprint, and I intend to be here for the full duration!
Hi Steve, we only met a couple times in 2023 when I showed up to the running club, just catching up on your instagram- so sorry to read what you have been going through and best wishes for you when you get the first scan results next friday 🙌✌️
Thanks Martin, I remember you as a fellow cat lover! Appreciate the well wshes!
Loving your positive blogs Lovely Steve. Stay positive xx
Thanks Debs, trying my best!
Will be sending all the positive vibes on Friday 💪
Thanks Jenny!
Hi Steve, just thought i would take a look at your latest updates on your blog, firstly got to say i love the photo, perfect shot of both your feet not on the ground!
As for Friday, keep the faith Steve, lots of positive thoughts for a positive outcome, i know it is easy for me to say as i am not walking n your shoes.
Much love to you Steve, i really mean that mate.
Thanks Chris, always appreciate your support! I have actually just got the results, a day early, and it is all good news, so I can relax for a bit! Again, thanks for the message it means a lot.