Colorectal Cancer: Post Treatment 0-6 Months: Emotional Well Being: Stages II,III,IV

Most people report being anxious in the days and hours before medical appointments and exams, especially those that are made as a result of a call about symptoms.

If you call with a question about a symptom, and the office takes the symptom seriously, keep in mind that the office is just playing it safe.

To help cope, consider techniques noted in the documents in "To Learn More" about coping with stress and anxiety.

It may help if you take a friend with you to appointments.  (A friend also helps raise questions during appointments and recall what is said afterward). At the least, let friends know you are anxious before appointments and would appreciate their checking in on you.

NOTE: Prior to medical appointments, you can help make effective use the time if you:

• Keep track of your symptoms. See Survivorship A to Z's Symptoms Diary to help. (With the click of a button, an easy-to-read graph is created that you can take with you to the doctor.)
• If tests are likely to be ordered during the appointment, find out if you can schedule them ahead of time. This way you can discuss the results when you are with the doctor instead of over the telephone. This technique also avoids an additional stressful waiting period.

For more information, see the documents in “To Learn More.”

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