Whatever youre feeling is okay. Even if you have had surgery in the past, 'I know how you feel' isn't the best phrase to use in your conversation with someone about to go to surgery. Specifically, blood tests can help doctors: Evaluate how well organssuch as the kidneys, liver, thyroid, and heartare working. A cortisol blood test is one of the most commonly used blood tests. Photo: Yulia Reznikov/Getty Images. The longer you have to wait, the more you may have ups and downs, and the more intense your feelings may become. The irony is, I just wrote a post on how to help an anxious child at the doctor's office . 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. What do you say to someone waiting for medical results? Impatience can workits way beyond your diagnosis and enter other parts of your life as well. You may not need an appointment for routine labs or images that are part of preventive care. 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. ~ Isaiah 26:3. Her work has been published in medical journals in the field of surgery, and she has received numerous awards for publication in education. Remember, its harder for bad news to hit a moving target. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. 1 Peter 5:7-8 NIV - Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Prayers for Awaiting Urine Test Results. If this is something you or a loved one is experiencing, consider . what to say to someone waiting for medical results If you feel yourself getting anxious or impatient, take a few slow, deep breaths to stay calm. Or they may be more nuanced or open to interpretation. 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. U | Above all, please guide my doctors while they look over my test results and give them the insight they need to interpret them correctly. Nurses often say that they've witnessed many patients and families yelling at medical staffand at each other. Tell your story to us, no matter how big or small. Do try to distract yourself Anxiety is a perfectly natural and valid response in this situation. Diagnose diseases and conditions such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, anemia (uh-NEE-me-eh), and coronary heart disease. Mental health support can be a crucial pillar of cancer treatment to improve quality of life and even physical treatment outcomes. Give them an idea of what to do after the results are out. 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. But then when your timer goes . 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. Tell your story to us, no matter how big or small. If results are concerning, they may call you or have a receptionist call to schedule an appointment. I hate it when my favorite people get hurt. May the MRI be successful. Everlasting God, I surrender my anxiety to you and ask that you overwhelm me with your love. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Sometimes the angry feelings can be channeled into something productive, like advocating for yourself or a loved one. She has written several books about patient advocacy and how to best navigate the healthcare system. Your email address will not be published. Better to ask, Do you want to talk about how you feel, how having cancer is affecting you? Dont offer information about unproven treatments or referrals to doctors with questionable credentials. Uncategorized what to say to someone waiting for medical results. Cut out caffeine as it overstimulates the nervous system and can increase panic, nutritionist Rosie Mansfield says. There are many online communities dedicated to family caregivers, and this might be helpful for your loved ones. Everything Is Not OK: A TV Show Gave Me Flashbacks to Cancer, Radiation Dose May Increase Risk of Colorectal Cancer in Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivors, TKI Drug Plus Chemotherapy May Improve Lung Cancer Outcomes. Cortisol is a hormone that is released by the adrenal glands when one is under stress. Settling back into what is now my new normal, I decided I would create a Do and Dont list for the next time Im faced with the deafening silence of waiting on test results: Dont Sit still. 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. May all the glory be ascribed unto your holy name. Therefore, I ask that you bless me with the fruits of my labor. It may be better to wait until a diagnosis is made before looking for more information. , Ask permission. In the morning, as soon as . Sometimes a consult with a pain doctor is needed to help manage pain. I can hear it has been really hard for you to share, thank you for sharing. .css-tadcwa:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}Sophia Swinford - @media screen and (max-width: 767px){.css-1xovt06 .date-separator{display:none;}.css-1xovt06 .date-updated{display:block;width:100%;}}published on 07/02/18. Unfortunately, its also inevitable that well all deal with this kind of situation in life. P | 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. Waiting for test results related to your cancer, chronic illness or other condition can be nerve-wracking (to say the least). By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. Each person can experience some or all of them, and you might experience some at different times than others. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Time until emergence of HIV test reactivity following infection with HIV-1: Implications for interpreting test results and retesting after exposure. Try viewing your time waiting for results as an exercise to practice being patient. Most Gracious God, thank you for your mercy which endures forever. It's also an opportunity to discuss starting treatment. Also, provide my doctors with all the information they need to resolve every issue I complained about finally. "You are a bright and shining light in the world! Thinking about you and hoping that you are having a good day. In this resourceful article, you will find the following: You will also find words of encouragement for someone waiting for medical test results. It is always okay to ask your healthcare provider about treatment guidelines or why a test or appointment is being recommended. Required fields are marked *. You may feel fed up with the entire process of diagnosis and feel like just walking away from the whole thing. Many health conditions are invisible on the outside, so commenting on someones appearance can feel dismissive or hurtful. For some people, talking with friends, family, a clergy person, and/or a counselor can help in dealing with these feelings while waiting for a diagnosis. What to say to a friend who has received bad news? 2. N | A note to remind you that I love youand I hate that you're sick. Say something like: Its hard for me to even imagine how youre feeling. One of the best things you can say is, Just tell me if you want me to leave or stop askingyou cant offend me! Winawer suggested. I underwent a PET scan last Thursday. Words like "I know how you feel" are not comforting because they sound more about you than about them. We asked the CaringBridge community, many of whom have experienced this exact situation, their thoughts on what to say during these hard times. Fill me with the peace only you can give. Frustration refers to the feeling of having your purpose or action blocked. B | Don't ask what you can do to help or say, "Let me know if you need anything." what to say to someone waiting for medical results. You may have just been tested too earlybefore your immune system had a chance to make the antibodies the test detects. Even before the pandemic, plenty of studies have found that waiting for medical test results can cause . And then consciously choosing to change and release them. Hebrews 11:23 NIV By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents and they were not afraid of the kings edict. "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. Sometimes, after youve waited days or weeks for test results, you just cant wait any longer. There, youll also find thoughts and questions by our community. Sometimes the uncertainty leaves you seemingly without an anchor. Family Practice. Were looking to feature moments in which someone interrupted their busy life to lend a hand to someone they didnt know. W | 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. G | 8: Be alert and of sober mind. Can Airbnb take money from my account for damages? Could I tell from the demeanor whether or not the results were good or bad? . Next focus on the positives in your life and enlarge that image to make it the biggest in your mind, until its all you see. Another tip is to allow for a daily 10-minute worry window, when you let your mind wallow. Whoever said there's no way to make time stand still clearly never had to endure the excruciating wait for scan results. . Although you might be wondering, try not to ask, How are you doing? as it can bring up an unwanted reminder, Pandapas said. A recent study by Harvard University found the limbo period of waiting for test results can elevate stress levels as much as finding out you have a life-threatening illness. I miss having you around. Just when I was tired and feeling down, a vase of flowers would appear on my doorstep, or one of them would send me a thoughtful text to check in, she said. It's important to note that your friends and family members may also experience many of these emotions while waiting for your diagnosis. what to say to someone waiting for medical results. T | Proverbs 25:25 NIV Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. Say Get Well in a way that's personal and sincere. You can also: They may. And so now I wait for the results. They had an uncanny sense of timing. 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. "Never rush in love for it never runs out. If something is ever discovered, I pray it is a simple thing to treat. Breast cancer survivor Elissa Ashwood coped with her diagnosis by breaking it down into chapters. It seems even people with the best intentions sometimes say the worst things possible when a friend or family member faces a cancer diagnosis. During these frozen moments in time, its hard to think about plans for a future that may not be. Send them soothing Scriptures to alleviate their anxious feelings and replace them with peace and calmness. The Cancer Council (cancervic.org.au) has a checklist of questions to ask when you get results, while NPS MedicineWise (nps.org.au) has a list of tests and medications detailing ingredients, possible side-effects and alternatives. They may need support, but they may also be so tired of being a patient.. In such cases, the medical professional has no right to withhold them from you or require you to pay for a visit in order to get them.
Geraldine Slattery Husband,
Mandinka Religion Before Islam,
Articles W
