Talk Openly With Your Doctor About Your Fears
If anxiety about relapse is affecting your daily life, it’s important to let your care team know. “Your team may be able to answer questions that are on your mind or ease your worry simply by talking to you about your personal cancer and what to expect,” says Chilcote. “They can also connect you with other resources within the cancer center for additional support.”
If you’re unsure how to start this conversation, here are a few questions you can ask during your next appointment:
- “I’ve noticed a change in my lab numbers, and it’s been worrying me. Can you help me understand what it means?”
- “I’m feeling anxious about my next scan. Can we review the different scenarios, so I can prepare myself mentally?”
- “I’ve been worried about a specific symptom. Can you describe which symptoms are normal and which ones should lead me to call your office?
Remember, “Your mental health is as important as your physical health,” says Figer. “Just like you’re doing what you need to do to take care of this myeloma, you should feel confident that you are in control of your mental health care, too.”
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