Trisha Torrey is a patient empowerment and advocacy consultant. It can be easier said than done. Want to see fewer ads on Aleteia? Test result communication in primary care: clinical and office staff perspectives. Youve made it through the work day. they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god. I pray that my results will be normal so I can glorify you with a healthy body. It's important for you to know that the feelings you might face are all completely normal. A 2013 US study found that Googling symptoms can trigger worries about medical bills, job loss and disability before a diagnosis is even made. But then when your timer goes . A note to remind you that I love youand I hate that youre sick. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. Here are 10 powerful prayers for medical tests. Either way is okay, and dont press people who dont seem ready to talk about it. You knit each of us together in the womb. Think the negative thoughts. It is part of the fight or flight reaction designed to protect us from danger. May nothing arise from the diagnosis that will give me, my doctors, and my family any concern. "Let's plan a girls' night after you recover from your surgery!" The obvious assumption is that things will go well when you say you are eager to make plans with someone after surgery. Do Realize that all of our planning, cancer or no cancer, is based on the assumption that we're going to be around in the future. Frustration and Other Common Feelings While Waiting for a Diagnosis. what to say to someone waiting for medical results. Everyone is so different and a one caring response is not easy. J | Ask what kind of friend the person needs you to be. Send them soothing Scriptures to alleviate their anxious feelings and replace them with peace and calmness. 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. Feel the feelings Let them out, give your anxiety, your worry your darkest fears a voice. Sign up for our Premium service. Thank you, Most Loving God, because you are the one who specializes in turning bad reports into good ones. This article will look at when it's needed, when it's not, and how to set expectations with your healthcare provider. . Lord I thank you for your strength, your love and your peace, all glory belongs to you, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. How long does it take to get the test results? In some cases, a visit isn't all that necessary. What do you say to a friend who has cancer? Perhaps most importantly, they celebrated my strength, which helped me maintain it.. Also, try to be comfortable with silence: Dont try to fill blank space with chatter about yourself, she said. 2017;64(1):53-59. doi:10.1093/cid/ciw666. I have provided some for you. Thank you, Loving God, because I know you will spare my family and me the stress of a severe diagnosis. If results are concerning, they may call you or have a receptionist call to schedule an appointment. Waiting for test results can be a nerve-wracking experience. Want your test results? So, what do you say to someone awaiting medical test results? Isaiah 12:2 NIV Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and will not be afraid. A note to remind you that I love youand I hate that you're sick. Dear Heavenly Father, as I sit waiting for my chest x-ray results here in the hospital, may the findings turn out good, even better than I expected. How do you help a cancer patient emotionally? This is not a time for seated meditation on the nature of your breath. Waiting for an appointment, a procedure, or a consultation may give you the feeling of hurry up and wait.. We asked the CaringBridge community, many of whom have experienced this exact situation, their thoughts on what to say during these hard times. You can find even more stories on our Home page. Focus on positives Lord Jesus, may the x-ray be clear and easy to read and understand. So your main task during this waiting period is to manage your anxiety. In the victorious name of Jesus, I pray, Amen. B | Lastly, Father, strengthen me as I wait and grant me faith to hope for the best. Do all test results require a follow-up appointment? 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. Your email address will not be published. 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. Please surround me with your grace today as I await favorable test results. We spoke with people on both sides of the diagnosis doctors, psychologists and people who have been through their own health scares for their best advice on how you can help make a difficult time a little easier. Synonyms of waiting waiting 1 of 2 noun Definition of waiting as in delay Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance delay hesitation procrastination indecision pause hawing faltering wavering wobbling second thought doubt uncertainty vacillation hesitancy wabbling consideration irresolution hesitance fence-sitting indecisiveness incertitude deliberation They had an uncanny sense of timing. It depends on your age, health, and the type and stage of your cancer. During the seminar, Freiberg said "that many people who are prescribed the medication . Mark 4:40 NIV He said to them, Why are you so afraid? 2022 Mighty Proud Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Pandapas said her friends continued to show their support throughout her recovery, which was very meaningful to her. Thank you for being with me during my biopsy. 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. Do Move. 65. Were looking to feature moments in which someone interrupted their busy life to lend a hand to someone they didnt know. 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. Please heal my bones where I need healing, so I can ease moving henceforth. Colossians 3:15 NIV Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body, you were called to peace. They have a tough job. If you're struggling to find the right words, here are 12 kind things to say to someone with cancer: 1. Hope you feel all the love surrounding you right now. what to say to someone waiting for medical results. What do you do? You may cry for no reason and not feel like doing much of anything. You held me close throughout the period of waiting for my test results. What do you say to someone who is nervous about surgery? . Soothe his anxiety with the knowledge that nothing can be against him because you are for him. Waiting for test results. And by faith, I declare that it shall not prosper. Everlasting God, I surrender my anxiety to you and ask that you overwhelm me with your love. Take yourself out of the equation, and offer the other person the opportunity to explain how they feel without being imposing. What do you say when someone gets a bad diagnosis? It can be very difficult, at times, to know whether you are dealing with situational sadness or depression. This sudden transformation is so difficult to process, on both sides.. But now youre at work, and its still difficult to be productive when the results are looming in the back of your head. American Associated of Retired Persons: AARP. Having the medical system constantly making you wait for thingsappointments, tests, consultations, resultscan make you feel like throwing in the towel and just giving up. Photo: Yulia Reznikov/Getty Images. 1. With chronic illness, follow-ups are often necessary to monitor the illness or see if a treatment is working. Read and meditate on these Scriptures while waiting for test results and watch God fill your heart with peace instead of the usual anxious thoughts following a medical test. If faced with bad news, I decided to create a to-feel list rather than a to-do list, Ashwood says. Amy Molloy reveals how to stay positive when hoping that everything is OK. Before visiting, giving advice, and asking questions, ask if it is welcome. Pray for the physicians, laboratory technicians, nurses, and health care providers that will be involved. Say Get Well in a way that's personal and sincere. 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. Be wary of any office that says they only contact you "if there is a problem." 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. There, youll also find thoughts and questions by our community. You need someone to listen to you and remind you of their love and presence in your life. 7. 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. Thank you for your strength, love, and peace. Heavenly Father, I pray for my dear friend awaiting his test results. Marley Hall is a writer and fact checker who is certified in clinical and translational research. Remember, its harder for bad news to hit a moving target. Remember, it's harder for bad news to hit a moving target. Instead, may the x-ray only reveal fully functioning organs, just as you perfectly created them. Ultimately, underneath it all, when you're waiting for that scary results (potential bad news), you're wondering if you're going to die. And you might have to deal with symptomssuch as dizziness, nausea, or painwhile you're waiting for an answer. what to say to someone waiting for medical results . #1. 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. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 2010;132:531-42. Heres how it can feel to be at home, waiting for the phone call. Ideally this person is someone who can also remind you of God's love and continuous care. Say Get Well in a way thats personal and sincere. What do you say when someone is ill? 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This article describes the common emotions you might face when waiting for a diagnosis and provides some suggestions for coping with these feelings. Whatever the tests outcome, we will pray it to God together. Don't Stop planning for the future, including what you're going to have for dinner. If this includes you, then you may enjoy some of the memes about waiting for test results weve gathered below. What to say to a friend who has received bad news? Family Practice. - Jayden Hayes. R | You should also encourage them to take as many needed breaths as possible. Sometimes the angry feelings can be channeled into something productive, like advocating for yourself or a loved one. Often, just being able to hear from someone who has felt the same things is an enormous help, reminding you that you are not alone. Winawer suggested. Even if it was offered in all sincerity, it can still feel weird to call someone and say, "remember when you offered to help?" Instead, offer precise ways that you can be of assistance. You know, the good kind of stranger. , I wish I knew what to say, but I care and Im here for you. 10 Ways to Reduce Anxiety While Waiting for Imaging Test Results. Can you sue someone for almost hitting you? Stress effects on the body: Nervous system. Hence, every believer can lay claim to divine healing at any point in time and have it. All rights reserved. Her work has been published in medical journals in the field of surgery, and she has received numerous awards for publication in education. Do Make a promise to yourself to use your time (however much that is) to bring joy, lightness and ease into your life and the lives of all those you touch. V | 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved. 2014;31(5):592-597. doi:10.1093%2Ffampra%2Fcmu041. 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. The way you think things would have been, or should be, is suddenly de-railed, she said. Amen. It's normal to have a range of emotions when you're waiting for a diagnosis. Step 1 - Sit in the tension, don't go into desperation. Sometimes the uncertainty leaves you seemingly without an anchor. Thinking about you today and hoping its a good one for you. If youre stuck in a hospital waiting room, it can be tempting to indulge in junk food from the vending machine, but a healthy diet can lower anxiety levels. Although each person with cancer is different, here are some general suggestions for showing support: Dont say I know how you feel because you cant possibly know. Get off your butt and put your body in motion. As access to testing has increased and roughly 750,000 Americans per day line up for a Covid-19 test, wait times for results have climbed up to two weeks in many places and more people than ever may be experiencing test result anxiety, experts say.. But, on the bright side, here are some of the lovely things I've heard in the past few weeks, all of which would be AWESOME things to say to someone who is anxiously waiting for test results: "YOU WILL BE FINE." "Call me if you need ANYTHING." "I think we need to fill up that empty wine glass of yours stat!" "Can I do anything for you?" If a healthcare provider asks you to schedule an appointment to go over test results and it doesn't seem necessary, ask why. Nurses often say that they've witnessed many patients and families yelling at medical staffand at each other. See if there's anything that can be done to help control your symptoms, even if the interventions are only temporary until you find out what treatments you will need for the long term. Just because a result is normal doesn't mean that the visit is unwarranted. 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. Holy God, you know how I have been feeling for some time now. "There is actually something happening while nothing is happening. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Here's what they recommend. I can hear it has been really hard for you to share, thank you for sharing. You may feel shocked, scared, concerned or uncertain on behalf of your loved one, said Anne Moyer, an associate professor of psychology at Stony Brook University. Outside of this, the worries are a problem for future you not present you. Lord, may I have every reason to rejoice as I finally receive my medical test results from the doctor today. You may feel impatient with the line to get out of the parking ramp at the store. You may feel fed up with the entire process of diagnosis and feel like just walking away from the whole thing. Here's what they had to say: 1. Yes, it does! Getting a diagnosis can involve waiting to see a specialist, waiting for a test to be scheduled, or waiting for lab results to come back. 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. Comfort us as we seek you now and place all of our concerns into your loving hands as we say Thy Will Be Done. Lord, I ask for your guidance as I receive my MRI results today. X | You finally received a call but thats just to tell you to come back to the hospital. What should you not say to a cancer patient? Ask them to count backwards slowly from 100. Then I will either wait for him or forget him." Paulo Coelho, By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept What to Say to a Cancer Patient "We'll get through this together. Mighty God, please help my doctors discover the right path to take on this issue. Do you have good friends who help you be hopeful that you can spend more time with? It is only natural to worry. Precious Holy Spirit, I declare that this test result I am currently expecting will not be an introduction to ill health in my life. 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. You may feel uneasy and apprehensive. Getting a diagnosis can involve waiting to see a specialist, waiting for a test to be scheduled, or waiting for lab results to come back. 64. We did manage a toast to health, and once again cursed the evil bastards who, in my cynical mind, think nothing of taunting those of us challenged by cancer with our very survivorship. Hence, I need to undergo some medical tests to ascertain if Im ill. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Unlisted Public Company First, don't be hard on yourself. Matthew 15:22-29 tells us healing is the childrens bread. 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. Father God, I ask that you remove this anxious feeling as I wait for my test results. All rights reserved. Although you might be wondering, try not to ask, How are you doing? as it can bring up an unwanted reminder, Pandapas said. Father I thank you for your mercy and your grace upon my life and my family, be thou magnified, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. What to Say to Someone With Cancer. What do you say to someone waiting for medical results? You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. 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 allows us to deal with situations out of our control with more grace and less stress, which is good for our mental health as well as our physical health. Your fretting needs an outlet, though. Let us know in the comments below. You can also: They may. Offer to chauffeur or even attend appointments. What do you say to someone expecting results? I need both your guidance and strength as I go through the entire procedure. Wishing you all the best for your upcoming exams. In some cases, testing once or twice a year may be enough. In fact, according to the charity Breast Cancer Now, some people say waiting for test results is the most worrying part of the entire process, regardless of the outcome.