Full Disclosure: One of the ways I make money on this website is by using “affiliate links.” All this means is that if you click on a link in this post, I may earn a small commission if you purchase something after clicking. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, and it keeps Consult Colleen up and running. Most importantly, I only link to products and services that I truly trust and believe in. Thanks for your support!
________________________________________________________________________
The Waiting is the Hardest Part.
Breast Cancer Treatment is no picnic. The fatigue and side effects can be overwhelming. It is draining to spend an entire day getting chemo or having to face radiation five days a week. I can remember like it wasyesterday. However, treatment didn’t send me into a tailspin. Tests did.
Tests looming everywhere you look. Breast Cancer screening tests and breast cancer diagnosis tests, are never ending. Tests to see if you have cancer, to see if it has spread, to see if it came back, to see if you have a side effect from the treatment, to confirm that the treatment is working, and the list goes on. The thought of tests plagued me day and night.
Was it the actual test that sent me teetering on the edge? Not really. Most of the tests were blood tests and I can handle that. I am no fan of MRI’s and the like, but those were rare for me. No, it was the waiting. The test is to see if my cancer has returned, and I sometimes had to wait a solid week! Even a few days is too long. It’s pure torture and it has always been an issue for me.
Unfortunately, there is no way we can speed up these tests. I do want an accurate result. So what can we do to make the waiting go by with less worry and angst? I have made a list of 39 things to do, instead of worry, while waiting for test results.
1. Phone a friend
2. Take a nap
3. Bake Cookies
4. Play a board game with your kids or significant other
5. Take a bath
6. Do Yoga
7. Spend time on a hobby
8. Buy yourself a “power” outfit
9. Plan a trip
10. Read a book
11. Make love
12. Take a nature walk
13. Work in your garden
14. Have a spa day
15. Get your nails done
16. Window Shop
17. Go out to lunch or dinner
18. Go to a movie
19. Binge watch a new show on Netflix
20. Walk your dog (or play with your cat)
21. Get an ice cream
22. Organize your desk or one room that really needs it
23. Clean anything (this is one of my favorites)
24. Listen to the ocean
25. Watch a sunset (or a sunrise if you are up anyway)
26. Paint a small room a color that makes you happy
27. Do a jigsaw puzzle
28. Go Kayaking or canoeing
29. Meditate
30. Go to the gym
31. Ride a bike
32. Change the spread or comforter on your bed
33. Buy something seasonal to hang on your front door
34. Wash your car
35. Go to church
36. Buy a new hat
37. Do breathing exercises
38. Get a spray tan or use self-tanner
39. Pray
There you go! 39 ways to distract yourself while you wait for test results. I have done every one of these while waiting for test results. Depending on the test, I may have done more than one.
My dad used to say, “Let’s not worry until we have something to worry about”. It makes sense, but it is not easy to do. So I will keep that quote in mind, while I keep myself busy. You still have to wait, but keeping your mind busy will make the time go by faster.
Click To TweetThis is not an exhaustive list. What are some things you do to distract yourself while waiting for test results?
Pin it!
