Instead, use the web to get better informed. If youre facing a possible life-changing diagnosis, the waiting can be especially stressful. Get better and get back to your amazing self soon! Your exams are nearing, so study with dedication and you will succeed in your exams. Through them, may I receive a mind-blowing testimony in Jesus Mighty Name. There, youll also find thoughts and questions by our community. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved. As with impatience, frustration with your medical issue can carry over to other parts of your life. Amen! H | A cortisol blood test is one of the most commonly used blood tests. Please heal my bones where I need healing, so I can ease moving henceforth. May all the glory be ascribed unto your holy name. And make my doctors humble enough to follow through with these suggestions. Dear Lord, thank you also because I will enjoy many more years in good health. What did they see? Think about the way youve coped with stressful situations in the past whether its baking, meditation or breathing exercises and apply these techniques to your current medical predicament. Lord, cancel whatsoever evil that may be discovered in my health that made my doctor recommend this test. Frustration and Other Common Feelings While Waiting for a Diagnosis. November 30, 2011. Here are uplifting words of encouragement and encouraging words and quotes for anyonefriend, family or spouse. After all, it may not feel "safe" to release your frustration with the clinic where you are receiving care (you might want to be seen as a "nice patient"), so you may finally let it go when your spouse forgets to pick up milk at the grocery store. Foods that are rich in vitamin B, such as avocados and almonds, are known to help reduce stress, while depression has been linked to low levels of folic acid, so introduce veg such as asparagus and broccoli as well as citrus fruits into your diet. Q | On the other hand, if the results only require a minute or two of the provider's time, it's fair to ask for the results by phone, mail, or secure message. Read our, Typical Emotions You May Experience When Waiting for a Medical Diagnosis, How Anticipatory Grief Differs From Grief After Death, What to Say When Someone Is Diagnosed With Cancer, The 5 Emotional Stages of People with Cancer, Help Your Child With Autism Manage Emotions, Best Ways to Support a Partner During Menopause, What Can You Expect During End Stage Lung Cancer, How to Disclose Your HIV Status to Someone You're Dating, How to Explain Your Cancer Diagnosis to Loved Ones, Stress effects on the body: Nervous system. Do try to distract yourself Anxiety is a perfectly natural and valid response in this situation. If this is something you or a loved one is experiencing, consider praying this short prayer adapted from Our Catholic Prayers, for the grace to trust God no matter the outcome: Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you. All times AEDT (GMT +11). When theres a chance you may have a serious illness, the delay between testing and diagnosis can be torturous. What should you not say to a cancer patient? Nurses often say that they've witnessed many patients and families yelling at medical staffand at each other. 7. God uses waiting to change us. Sending you lots of feel-better hugs. Remember that your feelings are normal. Do Remember that if you could self-diagnose, youd have magic powers that you could sell over the Internet. One of the best things you can say is, "Just tell me if you want me to leave or stop askingyou can't offend me!". Sitting in silence may just be what the other person needs. Meeting in-person to go over results helps you both see what's happening and figure out why. I have faith in you!" This is a good message to use when your friend is scared or doubtful. "Waiting is not the problem, worry is," said Paula H. Finestone, PhD, a clinical psychologist at Fox Chase Cancer Center. Give them an idea of what to do after the results are out. Also, provide my doctors with all the information they need to resolve every issue I complained about finally. what to say to someone waiting for medical results. "It is the opposite of fixating on yourself, for you have done everything you can and now it is time to release. It might be natural to offer to help by saying, Let me know if you need anything at all. However, that can put a person dealing with an illness in an awkward position of having to think of a way for you to assist them, said Nick Arquette, founder and CEO of Walk With Sally, a nonprofit that provides services to families impacted by cancer. Yes, it does! You want to be sure the insurance is reported on the bill you receive, West says. You still have to pay for it, but it can save you a lot of time. St Leonards NSW You won't know whether you're fine or the results were somehow lost or not properly communicated to you. Psalm 56:3 NIV When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. And because you did not allow me to spend my money running further medical tests or buying drugs to manage an ailment. 1. Double-check that the imaging center or lab has your providers correct information on file. Sometimes a consult with a pain doctor is needed to help manage pain. Telehealth appointments may be a good compromise between delivering results in person versus a phone call, letter, or secure message. Have you ever had a chance encounter with a stranger who showed you some unexpected kindness or help at a moment when you really needed it? I miss having you around. But then when your timer goes . . they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god. When You Need an Appointment Healthcare providers order lab tests for four main reasons: To diagnose a condition To see if a treatment is effective To track the progression of a chronic illness To check for a recurrence of a treated condition The test results may be simple and straightforwardsay, positive or negative. . Proverbs 15:30 NIV Light in a messengers eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. June 14, 2022; pros and cons of stem cell therapy for knees . If he has to make a choice, may he make it now. You may feel flooded with feelings of anxiety, dread, guilt and worry. Then I will either wait for him or forget him." Paulo Coelho, By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept Many people say waiting for the results of tests is one of the most stressful parts of the diagnosis process. She has written several books about patient advocacy and how to best navigate the healthcare system. 8: Be alert and of sober mind. It can divinely turn around the outcome of any medical test when waiting for the result. Thank you also for the confirmation of sound health (or divine healing); blessed be your holy name, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Fill my heart with your peace that surpasses all understanding. Gupta R, Guptha S. Strategies for initial management of hypertension. So you make the call and once again, youre waiting. Matthew 15:22-29 tells us healing is the childrens bread. J | When you follow your own agenda doing the things that are most important to you personally and professionally thats when you feel on top of things, energised and can be more present in the moment., To receive life-changing news is similar to grief, psychologist Julie Scheiner says. Merciful God, thank you for providing the doctors who treat and heal illnesses and diseases. Here are three things you may want to say but should skip: If you want to help but dont know where to start, here are some suggestions on how to support someone with a serious illness. Healthcare providers order lab tests for four main reasons: The test results may be simple and straightforwardsay, positive or negative. With uncertainty about your health issues, you are left in limbo, not knowing exactly how you should feel because you don't know what you're facing. 2 Corinthians 9:11 NIV You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us, your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. Ask God for the courage to go through the rigorous procedures involved with medical tests. Please be with him at this crucial time. As well as provide the best care possible where required. Have a favorite meme? Do you want to tell me about it? or Ive never been in your position, but Id love to try to understand what its like, Winawer suggested. The longer you have to wait, the more you may have ups and downs, and the more intense your feelings may become. We like things to happen when we want it to happen and even how we want it to happen. The phone rings and you pick up. But now youre at work, and its still difficult to be productive when the results are looming in the back of your head. If a friend or family member reaches out to you while they wait, you may find yourself at a loss for words. You're the bravest person I know, and you will get through this. Plus, if a disease is contagious, your provider will want to talk in person about how to help you avoid future risk and protect other people. Want your test results? Heck, even tell the person you arent sure what to say, but you just want to say something and let them know you are there for them. And by faith, I declare that it shall not prosper. Its human nature to focus on yourself, Winawer said. So do something for . Nationwide News Pty Ltd 2023. Sometimes this frustration can erupt. What to Say to a Cancer Patient "We'll get through this together. The anxiety of not knowing can be all-consuming. . A healthcare provider may also call to assure you everything is okay or discuss any needed follow-up tests. I also request that you guide my radiologist to make wise and knowledgeable suggestions to my doctors afterward. When you are told you cannot get an appointment with a specialist for three months, that the results of a specialized test takes six weeks, or that after seeing four doctors they still dont know whats wrong with you, you may feel very frustrated. And in many cases, doctors may choose not to call patients because we know that they know we know whats going on, and they trust us, so we dont call unless its necessary, he says. Many people in a situation like yours would have that reaction. Privacy The shortest waits for specialist consultations are in Quebec (7.2 weeks) while the According to Jocelyn Charles, Chief of Family and Community Medicine at Sunnybrook, a physician who orders a test for blood, ultrasound, X-rays or CT scans is responsible for responding to abnormal results and communicating these results to the patient. A lover of hip hop music, hot sauce and kimchi, she lives in Maryland with her husband, two dogs, cat and feisty 2-year-old daughter. "Never rush in love for it never runs out. Were told that at this present moment, it is the focus at the heart of the meditation/mindfulness movement that promises to end mental anguish. Stick around in the long run, and try to send a text every so often or another way to show you care, like a gift certificate for a massage or manicure. Our Father in Heaven, thank you because you have blessed the health sector with incredible technology. What do you say when someone is ill? Remember, it's harder for bad news to hit a moving target. R | Instead, a more helpful thing to say would be something like Ill be here for you, no matter what the test results reveal. In many cases, people want to talk about anything but the upcoming test results, so dont be afraid to steer the conversation toward a favorite or lighter topic. Ask what kind of friend the person needs you to be. A note to remind you that I love youand I hate that you're sick. This is not a time for seated meditation on the nature of your breath. Whatsoever illness is hiding in my body, turn it around in my favor and return full movement back in my bones. If results are shared by phone, email, or online, how does the office ensure they will only be shared with me or my designees? If a healthcare provider asks you to schedule an appointment to go over test results and it doesn't seem necessary, ask why. In some cases, a visit isn't all that necessary. Were looking to feature moments in which someone interrupted their busy life to lend a hand to someone they didnt know. Christina Pandapas, who was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer at age 46, agreed that simple gestures often go a long way. If faced with bad news, I decided to create a to-feel list rather than a to-do list, Ashwood says. Quotations About Waiting For Someone. Cancer patients simply want to be their old selves, Spiegel says, so they often can fail to make their new needs clear to their loved ones and caregivers, which can lead to frustration and anger. During the seminar, Freiberg said "that many people who are prescribed the medication . Thank you for your strength, love, and peace. It can be easier said than done. What were they not telling me? Even with certain types of cancer, including colorectal and prostate cancer, there's little evidence quarterly visits reduce your relapse risk or improve survival rates. >>How hashtagging can improve your health. She has written several books about patient advocacy and how to best navigate the healthcare system. Frustration refers to the feeling of having your purpose or action blocked. Consider talking to someone who is willing to listen and to be compassionate, like a friend, counselor, a clergyperson, or a peer in a support group. How do you stay calm when waiting for medical results? Have you still no faith?. Getting results can be overwhelming so take notes or use your phones voice memo function to record the information provided by the doctor and avoid confusion later. Even if you are a doctor, or have dealt with a similar condition, keep in mind that everyones experience is different. Whatever youre feeling is okay. Or simply offer to go for a walk in the fresh air, so that he or she can open up and vent if need be. At dayofdifference.org.au you will find all the information about What To Say To Someone Waiting For Medical Results. Uncategorized what to say to someone waiting for medical results. Many healthcare providers use online medical chart systems. You may not need an appointment for routine labs or images that are part of preventive care. Ultimately, underneath it all, when you're waiting for that scary results (potential bad news), you're wondering if you're going to die. It is only natural to worry. Trisha Torrey is a patient empowerment and advocacy consultant. Photo: Yulia Reznikov/Getty Images. But I can honestly say I feel God's peace now. Oops! I have provided some for you. Mentally, I had prepared for the event of having the blood drawn, but it caught me off guard how quickly anxiety crept into my mind about the actual results of the test that we had to wait for. Therefore, I ask that you bless me with the fruits of my labor. Some people find it helpful to connect with a support group (or an online community, especially with rare diseases) which offers the opportunity for you to talk with others who have experienced the same situation that you are going through. How Do You Get Rid Of Hiccups In 5 Seconds? nag your doctor, Test result communication in primary care: clinical and office staff perspectives, To track the progression of a chronic illness, To check for a recurrence of a treated condition. They had an uncanny sense of timing. Let us know in the comments below. It can help to learn about the condition you might be facingbut don't rush that processyou will be ready to know more when the time is right for you. Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out. Anxiety is a normal response to the feeling of being threatened. Anxiety, as with these other emotions, can carry over into other areas of your life. Your email address will not be published. May the sound waves produce the needed images and make them perfectly clear. 10 Ways to Reduce Anxiety While Waiting for Imaging Test Results. Words like "I know how you feel" are not comforting because they sound more about you than about them. Sending you a note to let you know that I am thinking of you. Spending time with them doing normal activities watching TV shows, taking a yoga class, walking the dog and having conversations that dont involve their condition can be a much-needed respite. Specifically, blood tests can help doctors: Evaluate how well organssuch as the kidneys, liver, thyroid, and heartare working. Litchfield IJ, Bentham LM, Lilford RJ, Greenfield SM. arise by night, you and the people who are with you, and lie in wait in the field. Help them to get comfortable (have them sit or lie down). Amen! If, by chance, any news surfaces from the test, I am awaiting their results. All you want to know is what that irregular-shaped mole on your face really is, or why you have bouts of shortness of breath, or, worse, if your cancer is back. Try viewing your time waiting for results as an exercise to practice being patient. In an age of instant everything, cancer patients being told that the data from the cutting edge technology that is creating real-time images of our innards will be available in anything less than a nanosecond defies logic and seems unnecessarily cruel. As you may have guessed Im extremely enthusiastic about prayer. Or you may be tested during or after your appointment and get the results later. Cortisol is a hormone that is released by the adrenal glands when one is under stress. Impatience is perhaps the first emotion many people feel when awaiting a diagnosis. So, I can assure you that as you make the above prayers for good medical test results, the Lord will give you nothing but a favorable outcome and peace to wait patiently without any anxiety for a doctors report. Lastly, Alison and Brian urge you: dont over-promise! When stress attacks, our brain fires excitatory neurons indicate this anxious emotion. Do Realize that all of our planning, cancer or no cancer, is based on the assumption that were going to be around in the future. You held me close throughout the period of waiting for my test results. Copyright Aleteia SAS all rights reserved. F | Instead, you filled my heart with joy over the good doctors report I got after my diagnosis. Psalm 23:4 NIV Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Impatience can workits way beyond your diagnosis and enter other parts of your life as well. In the morning, as soon as . May this good news be so amazing that it will be like music to my ears. Also, dont assume theyre doing fine just because they look fine, she added. Sending you lots of feel-better hugs. And so now I wait for the results. Read our. How do you help a cancer patient emotionally? O | Indian J Med Res. Pray for peace so that the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard both your heart and mind. 'That may be through reading, listening to music, meditation or confiding in a friend.' Reneging on a promise to the big I am is bad karma. I bind every spirit of error in any stage of the procedure. Thank you, Most Loving God, because you are the one who specializes in turning bad reports into good ones. Family Practice. Now youre sitting in the waiting room, surrounded by other people who are just as nervous as you are. Nancy Irwin, a therapist and clinical hypnotist, has six suggestions for people who are waiting for test results to come back. , You Choose When to Talk about Your Cancer. X | American Associated of Retired Persons: AARP. But please dont beat yourself up over what is not under your control. Now you want to go grab a bite to eat, or read a book in the park, but the nervousness of the test results even follows you out in public. May they discover what is really going on with my health. A 2013 US study found that Googling symptoms can trigger worries about medical bills, job loss and disability before a diagnosis is even made. Yet when the danger we are considering comes from our thoughts, rather than an acute and readily apparent danger in our midst (such as a lion attacking) the reaction can lead to further anxiety and stress, causing physical responses such as increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and more. Get off your butt and put your body in motion. Loving Father, thank you because I am healthy, wealthy, and blessed. Why You May Need a Healthcare Provider's Appointment to Get Your Lab Results. Check out the dos and donts below: No matter what, it is better to say something than nothing, said Ron Blake, a sexual assault survivor who has experienced post-traumatic stress disorder. 2023 MJH Life Sciences and CURE - Oncology & Cancer News for Patients & Caregivers. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls; for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Grief, terror, anger, depression and other overwhelming emotions can all affect cancer patients. "I'm praying for you, your medical team, and your family." If you are a praying person, consider lifting the doctors, nurses, and hospital staff up in your prayers. You can also discuss side effects and dosage changes that may be needed. 2017;64(1):53-59. doi:10.1093/cid/ciw666. The way you think things would have been, or should be, is suddenly de-railed, she said. what to say to someone waiting for medical results. What to say to a friend who has received bad news? This wait can make you feel numb or it can make you feel like the Tasmanian Devil is living inside your head, running in 100 directions at once, wreaking havoc in your mind. It's important to note that your friends and family members may also experience many of these emotions while waiting for your diagnosis. "The doctor may be waiting for test results before being able to treat you." "We need to see people with life-threatening problems before those who do not appear to have such serious problems." "Because this is a teaching hospital, we have our physicians and residents talk with you and examine you which also takes time." , Ask permission. 2) Schedule Worry Time. Have you ever had a chance encounter with a stranger who showed you some unexpected kindness or help at a moment when you really needed it? It is perfectly normal to experience a whole raft of different emotions such as anger, denial, worry about children and partners, desolation, crying, coping with treatment, etc. Basically, waiting is not fun. The word of God in James 5:16 says The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 1:5 NIV If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. Required fields are marked *. This article will look at when it's needed, when it's not, and how to set expectations with your healthcare provider. That's because your health is at risk in some way. Loving Father, you know how anxious I get about doctors offices, hospitals, needles, and medical equipment. 8: Be alert and of sober mind. Part of HuffPost Wellness. I | Also, guide the doctors and show them the right action to take. 1. When the word finally came that the scan showed no changes, aka, you get to live a little longer, I was literally stunned by relief. However, we sometimes blow fears out of proportion, so its important to put worries back into perspective. She recommends this visualisation technique: Picture the worst-case scenario as if youre watching it on a movie screen, then shrink the picture until its tiny. She faced 33 rounds of radiotherapy and decided to wear a different dress to each one, then documented it on a blog (33dresses.com). They have a tough job. Stress effects on the body: Nervous system. None of the above scenarios are funny, but sometimes our community finds the humor in it all. Psalms 84:11 NIV For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Dear Father, though this is a routine check I must have, there is always a possibility that a serious medical condition may be discovered. They may intervene if follow-up requests seem excessive or inappropriate. You may feel impatient with the line to get out of the parking ramp at the store. Stress can lead to comfort eating as adrenaline causes blood sugar surges that make us crave sweetness. Most people dealing with a serious illness have a medical team, Pandapas said. Immediately upon leaving the mobile scan machine, it was once again 2009 and I was walking out of my first CT scan trying to read the faces of the technicians who had monitored the process. Father God, I come before you asking for good results for the urinalysis I had undergone. If the office says they can't deliver results by phone because it violates HIPAA privacy laws, they're wrong. Ways to Stay Calm. "So when they get the results they can say, 'I knew that.' Or they feel extremely relieved." The four-alarm worriers may also hold tight to magical thinking: If they can stare, unblinking, into. Trisha Torrey is a patient empowerment and advocacy consultant. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. People say, Suck it up . Even with potentially serious chronic conditions, like HIV or diabetes, once your condition is under control, you may only need to see a healthcare provider once a year. Take action from that place of power. what to say to someone waiting for medical results. What do you say to a friend who has cancer? American Psychological Association. If this includes you, then you may enjoy some of the memes about waiting for test results weve gathered below. Opponents say legislation is 'dangerous, misguided and extreme' Last year, Rep. Freiberg joined a panel of medical professionals and advocates for "medical aid in dying" legislation at a University of Minnesota Center for Bioethics-sponsored event. Dont Waste any time trying to feel where in the body your cancer has mostly likely returned. Loving God, thank you for helping me undergo the challenging procedure. Thank you because the results did not mark the beginning of sorrow for me and my loved ones. "Worry is trying to predict a future that no one knows. You may feel frustrated if there are mix-ups with your insurance or with test results that come back inconclusive. But many people begin to check out after the first couple of days or weeks, despite the fact that the person continues to deal with their disease or diagnosis. Therefore, I ask that you calm my nerves and overwhelm me with your peace throughout this standard procedure. Its vital to seek help and not suffer in silence.. By Trisha Torrey You have to read the situation and the person. Do things that induce your flow experience. Before a second set of tests is done to confirm any condition, may your fire run through my entire body system to rid me of every disease so that nothing will emerge from subsequent tests or cause me pain in the present or future. As I wait for the results, I pray that you be with me throughout these procedures. It seems even people with the best intentions sometimes say the worst things possible when a friend or family member faces a cancer diagnosis. Proverbs 25:25 NIV Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. ~Psalm 94:19. Waiting for the results of a medical test, or for a diagnosis, can be agonizing. First, you have the right to see the results of every test you undergo. It is part of the fight or flight reaction designed to protect us from danger. Pray for the physicians, laboratory technicians, nurses, and health care providers that will be involved. Please, Lord, make my diagnosis a good one. Entrust your prayer intentions to our network of monasteries. nag your doctor. 2. Philippians 4:6-7 NIV Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Comfort us as we seek you now and place all of our concerns into your loving hands as we say Thy Will Be Done.
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