I thought I would share my mantra with everyone here. Anytime I get a new ache or pain, I repeat to myself “In the absence of a diagnosis, I am healthy”.

This really helps when I am going for a scan or a doctors appointment that is triggering anxiety.

Currently I’m OK. I have some new lower back pain, so I’m getting an MRI to rule out anything – but I don’t think it is anything other than arthritis acting up. My first reaction to a new ache or pain is to think of a non-cancer reason for it, because more than likely there is a non-cancer reason for it. Then when that little voice inside says, “but maybe it is …”  I repeat to myself “In the absence of a diagnosis, I am healthy”.