Life in Surveillance Mode

Living with ongoing appointments, scans, and the anxiety that comes with follow-ups

Insights for Empowerment

Cancer treatment doesn’t end when surgery is over. For many of us, it’s the beginning of a new normal: life in surveillance mode.

Ongoing appointments. Regular scans. Blood work. Follow-ups. Waiting for results. Holding your breath every time the phone rings.

This is the part of cancer nobody prepares you for.

The Appointments That Never End

Post-cancer life means regular monitoring:

• Oncology check-ups every 3-6 months

• Annual mammograms (or more frequent)

• Blood work to monitor tumor markers

• Scans when something seems off

• Medication management appointments

Your calendar fills up with medical appointments. Years after treatment, you’re still going to doctors regularly.

Anxiety is Real

The anxiety before scans and appointments is real. It has a name: anxiety.

Every test brings back the fear. What if the cancer came back? What if they find something? What if I’m not actually okay?

The waiting for results is torture. Days feel like weeks. You try not to think about it, but it’s all you can think about.

The New Normal

You learn to live with uncertainty. You learn that cancer survivors don’t get the luxury of forgetting. Every ache, every pain, every weird symptom makes you wonder.

But you also learn to find peace in the uncertainty. You learn to celebrate clean scans. You learn to be grateful for today while being vigilant about tomorrow.

Coping With Surveillance Life

What helps:

• Connecting with other survivors who understand

• Practicing mindfulness and staying present

• Celebrating every clean scan

• Finding ways to reduce anxiety (therapy, meditation, exercise)

• Giving yourself grace on hard days

What doesn’t help:

• Googling every symptom

• Comparing your journey to others

• Living in constant fear

• Isolating yourself

Conclusion

Life after cancer isn’t “back to normal.” It’s a new normal. One that includes vigilance, appointments, and moments of fear.

But it also includes gratitude, resilience, and the knowledge that you survived something many people don’t.

The scans will keep coming. The appointments will continue. But so will your strength.

Encouraging Nuggets

Affirmation: I can handle the uncertainty. I celebrate each clean scan. I trust my body and my medical team. I am more than my fear.

Managing Anxiety:

• Schedule scans early in the day to reduce waiting time

• Bring someone with you for support

• Plan something nice to do after the appointment

• Practice deep breathing before results

• Remember: most follow-ups are routine and come back clear

Scripture for Today: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6