Beating Cancer in Heels: How to cope when taking a health test

One of the perks of being a breast cancer survivor is that your doctors watch you closely. Every year, I have to take a mammogram and an MRI to check for cancer.

For me, even if the mammogram is clear, I don’t celebrate until the MRI. I try to keep this test in mind throughout the year because I want to pass it but like most tests, one can never be sure. This makes the pressure of being a great cancer student a lot higher.

I have always hated tests throughout my entire life. They gave me anxiety and made me feel like the test held an immense amount of power. During and before a test I would become so overwhelmed that I couldn’t even study properly. When I tried to, I was easily distracted because I couldn’t sit alone with my thoughts and feelings about it all.

Looking back, I could have used a little help in that area and I try to remind myself of that fact whenever I find myself reflecting on my school years. So you could only imagine my emotions when it comes to taking a test that determines my state of health.

Every year, I can’t help but worry about what the test results will be. I don’t let it cripple me like I have done in the past but the anxiety still exists. I have learned to talk myself though the health testing process. Since I have been doing this for over five years, I have developed a little plan to help me cope through it all.

Of course, I still think “what if cancer comes back,” but instead of crying or calling a love one panicking, I change those thoughts and fill them with others.

I start to think about what I want to do with another year of being cancer free. I think about all the blessings I have experienced and how much I appreciate them. I listen to things that will calm my nerves and I become more aware of the feelings and thoughts that pass through me.

I know that I can’t change what is already happening inside of me. That’s just the fact of the matter.  What I do know is that I have been though cancer before and, while I don’t want to go through it all again, if I have to I will. I will use what I learned to fight harder and louder than ever before.

Thankfully, I am cancer free and am ecstatic about that fact! Thanks to my time alone before the MRI test, I am hopeful about the goals that I set out and am grounded enough to JUST DO IT!!!

Now, Coachee , let’s prepare for your next HEALTH TEST!

What calms you down before taking a test?

Perhaps it’s listening to good music or calling a friend. Trying to relax and smile can make the time fly by.

What keeps you centered?

Try keeping yourself rooted in reality and think of how lucky you are to be alive in this moment in time. Think of all that went right for you thus far and appreciate it.

Empowerment Tip: You are always in the driver’s seat!

That’s it for today, Coachee! Stay tuned for more tips and stories from your Life Coach Marlena!

REMEMBER: Women between the ages of 20-40 diagnosed with cancer get six free coaching sessions through the nonprofit BeatingCancerInHeels.org.

If you are interested in being coached one on one or group coaching with FRIENDS, please contact me at [email protected]. You can also follow me on Facebook, Beating Cancer In Heels and Marlena Ortiz.