Which doctors will be long term?

butterflylvr · May 2011

This morning I got a call from my MO to book an appointment after my rads are finished in early July (Hormone therapy). I also have a September appointment already lined up for my breast surgeon who's office told me I would be seeing him every six months. I guess I don't understand why I would have to meet with my breast surgeon on a routine basis when my MO and my RO will be keeping an eye on things.

My question is for you girls that are 2 or more years beyond your diagnosis "What doctors are you routinely still seeing?"

Lorrie

disneyfan2008 · May 2011

3 yrs for me
AND I still see 2 different oncologist (different offices) and my gyno every 3mths...just past 3 yrs so now every 4mths for one oncologist and other one once a year..

today makes my 3rd year -my first day of radiation...

I am happy they keep close tabs even though a pain , sicne I am having issues from my Tamoxifen...and surgery in few days!. IF NOT watched so closely this could be bigger issue (I THINK) down the road..

as much as I dont' want major surgery..i have many Drs consulting each other and keeping up...

Denise

mwallace1325 · May 2011

My MO
My MO is the only one I'm still seeing. I was diagnosed March 2009, finished chemo 10/29/2009, rads on 1/15/2010. I havent seen my surgeon since she removed my port in March 2010, and didn't do any follow ups with my RO after rads were done. I still see my MO every six months and next appointment is coming up June 2nd, so the stress is rising again.

Hope this helps.

marge

Annette 11 · May 2011

Lorrie,
I see breast surgeon
Lorrie,
I see breast surgeon every 6 months for now. and onc. every 3 months for first year or so. Then it will probably decrease.

disneyfan2008 · May 2011

Annette 11 said:
Lorrie,
I see breast surgeon
Lorrie,
I see breast surgeon every 6 months for now. and onc. every 3 months for first year or so. Then it will probably decrease.

wow such different replies
When I finished radiation I said all my good byes , thanks etc...and left..never thinking I would see them again...6mths later I got a call..they said who they were and I said OH NO...I am all done...I was told NOPE not yet...so still see MO each 3mths and on same day at 6mths I see both oncologist. (NOW I was moved to every 4mths for MO and one yr for RO...

Intersting how we are so different in cases, follow ups etc..

I have not seen my surgeon since 2 wks follow up..

Denise

Lynn Smith · May 2011

disneyfan2008 said:
wow such different replies
When I finished radiation I said all my good byes , thanks etc...and left..never thinking I would see them again...6mths later I got a call..they said who they were and I said OH NO...I am all done...I was told NOPE not yet...so still see MO each 3mths and on same day at 6mths I see both oncologist. (NOW I was moved to every 4mths for MO and one yr for RO...

Intersting how we are so different in cases, follow ups etc..

I have not seen my surgeon since 2 wks follow up..

Denise

When I hit 2 years
I will be seeing all my doctors once a year..Breast surgeon and oncologist.Those are the only 2 I have since I didn't have chemo or radiation. I see the radiology doctors when I get my mammogram annually.I have been going every 3 months then 6 months to all of them.Now it will be 12 months(1 year)if my mammo in July/Aug is clear.

Lynn Smith

Rague · May 2011

Approx 9 mths after last
Approx 9 mths after last Rads, Rad Dr told me he didn't need to see me anymore. Just last month Surgeon told me he doesn't need to see me any more (1 1/2 yrs post surgery) but wants me to see my PA every 6 months (not a problem). In August, which will be 2 yrs after DX and start of Chemo, I'll see Chemo Dr. - don't know what he will say then. So anyway - I had 4 and I'm down to 2 now and I'm sure that my PA is not going to tell me she doesn't want to see me any more so it just reamins to see what
Dr. T says.

I was a bit surprised when the 2 have both said don't want to se you any more so soon based on what so many here have said about the years that keep seeing their Dr.

Susan

TraciInLA · May 2011

Rague said:
Approx 9 mths after last
Approx 9 mths after last Rads, Rad Dr told me he didn't need to see me anymore. Just last month Surgeon told me he doesn't need to see me any more (1 1/2 yrs post surgery) but wants me to see my PA every 6 months (not a problem). In August, which will be 2 yrs after DX and start of Chemo, I'll see Chemo Dr. - don't know what he will say then. So anyway - I had 4 and I'm down to 2 now and I'm sure that my PA is not going to tell me she doesn't want to see me any more so it just reamins to see what
Dr. T says.

I was a bit surprised when the 2 have both said don't want to se you any more so soon based on what so many here have said about the years that keep seeing their Dr.

Susan

2 doctors long-term
Hi, Lorrie -

I continued to see my surgeon, medical oncologist and radiation oncologist for a full year after finishing rads. At that point, they let me know that their policy for their breast cancer patients is to continue with 2 doctors, but not 3 -- and that varies a little, depending on what treatment the patient received/is still receiving, and what kind of relationship she has with her doctors.

In my case, I'm on Tamoxifen, so continuing to see my medical oncologist was considered mandatory for me. And, while I liked my radiation oncologist very much, I just never built up as close a relationship with him as I did with my medical oncologist and surgeon, so decided to continue to see those two only. At 2 years from diagnosis, I see my medical oncologist every 3 months, and now my surgeon only once a year.

(disclaimer: I'm only talking about my "cancer doctors" here -- I continue to see my gynecologist, primary care physician, dermatologist, veterinarian....)

Traci

skipper54 · May 2011

Rague said:
Approx 9 mths after last
Approx 9 mths after last Rads, Rad Dr told me he didn't need to see me anymore. Just last month Surgeon told me he doesn't need to see me any more (1 1/2 yrs post surgery) but wants me to see my PA every 6 months (not a problem). In August, which will be 2 yrs after DX and start of Chemo, I'll see Chemo Dr. - don't know what he will say then. So anyway - I had 4 and I'm down to 2 now and I'm sure that my PA is not going to tell me she doesn't want to see me any more so it just reamins to see what
Dr. T says.

I was a bit surprised when the 2 have both said don't want to se you any more so soon based on what so many here have said about the years that keep seeing their Dr.

Susan

every month
I seem to have an appointment with SOME Dr. every month right now. I just saw the RO lasat week. June in the MO, July is the surgeon, Aug. is the palstic surgeon, then we start over again with the RO. I didn't know when I started this journey that I would be developing life-long relationships!

Bella Luna · May 2011

After the first year, I saw
After the first year, I saw my oncologist every 3 months and radiologist every 6 months. I saw my surgeon last October when I had my port removed. My 2nd Survivorship Anniversary will be coming up in June. I will then find out what my new schedule looks like. Oh, I had chemo, radiation, Herceptin, and I am on Tamoxifen.

sbmly53 · May 2011

For me..
It's my surgeon and onc. Gave up the rads onc. And, like Traci, see the PCP, GYN, dentist, Veterinarian and rheumotologist. I pretty much have it down to two full days every 6 months.

Start with the dentist, go to mammo, see the surgeon. Then either the GYN or PCP annual, followed by the rheumy. See the onc twice a year (from 4 times) starting past March.

Sue

natly15 · May 2011

TraciInLA said:
2 doctors long-term
Hi, Lorrie -

I continued to see my surgeon, medical oncologist and radiation oncologist for a full year after finishing rads. At that point, they let me know that their policy for their breast cancer patients is to continue with 2 doctors, but not 3 -- and that varies a little, depending on what treatment the patient received/is still receiving, and what kind of relationship she has with her doctors.

In my case, I'm on Tamoxifen, so continuing to see my medical oncologist was considered mandatory for me. And, while I liked my radiation oncologist very much, I just never built up as close a relationship with him as I did with my medical oncologist and surgeon, so decided to continue to see those two only. At 2 years from diagnosis, I see my medical oncologist every 3 months, and now my surgeon only once a year.

(disclaimer: I'm only talking about my "cancer doctors" here -- I continue to see my gynecologist, primary care physician, dermatologist, veterinarian....)

Traci

I get to see all 3 next
I get to see all 3 next month after all my scans. See my MO every 3 months, and SO and RO every 6 m onths.

Cousin Traci does your Vet give you meds for ticks, distemper, and heartworm or is that for your pooch???? You are classic funny!!!

Different Ballgame · May 2011

Here are my doctors
Dear Lorrie,

1. Breast Oncologist - After mastectomy he wanted to see me twice in the first year. Then once a year for the next 4 years. Total 5 years.
2. Radiation Oncologist - I saw her twice in the first year. It seems to be every 6 months. Not sure for how long but think it will be for 5 years.
3. Hematology Oncologist - Not sure. Right now it has been every 3 months. Do not know how long but suspect it will be more than 5 years.

I had mastectomies 5 years ago with breast recurrence 1-1/2 years ago. So oncology surgeon will see me for a total of 8 years.

Lots of Hugs,
Janelle

butterflylvr · May 2011

Different Ballgame said:
Here are my doctors
Dear Lorrie,

1. Breast Oncologist - After mastectomy he wanted to see me twice in the first year. Then once a year for the next 4 years. Total 5 years.
2. Radiation Oncologist - I saw her twice in the first year. It seems to be every 6 months. Not sure for how long but think it will be for 5 years.
3. Hematology Oncologist - Not sure. Right now it has been every 3 months. Do not know how long but suspect it will be more than 5 years.

I had mastectomies 5 years ago with breast recurrence 1-1/2 years ago. So oncology surgeon will see me for a total of 8 years.

Lots of Hugs,
Janelle

Thanks again ladies,
I guess I had just better become acquainted with all my doctors. My favorite is my plastic surgeon and he is the one I will be losing after my reconstruction. But I do get along great with the others and if I could choose I would take my MO and my Breast surgeon.

Lorrie

LoveBabyJesus · May 2011

Looks like for me it would
Looks like for me it would be my surgeon and Onco.

Brooklynchele · May 2011

Docs
My MO only wanted to see me every 6 months when I finished chemo last Fall. When my breast surgeon heard that, she was angry and she said I should be seen every 3 months so she's "filling in the missing appointments". That being said, my mother is STILL seen by her MO and it's been 21 years since her surgery and there was no recurrence (her's was in her chest wall so technically not breast cancer).

Michele

Different Ballgame · May 2011

butterflylvr said:
Thanks again ladies,
I guess I had just better become acquainted with all my doctors. My favorite is my plastic surgeon and he is the one I will be losing after my reconstruction. But I do get along great with the others and if I could choose I would take my MO and my Breast surgeon.

Lorrie

I told my Plastic Surgeon
Dear Lorrie,

I told my plastic surgeon (whom I adopted and made him my #1 Doctor) that as long as I have the breast implants I will see him yearly. He said, "OK". So..... you had reconstruction. You can tell him that you want to see him yearly. He should not object. They you at least will be seeing one doctor that you really like.

Fondly,
Janelle

P.S. It was my plastic surgeon who removed the recurrence from my scar. The recurrence did not look like cancer This was done on annual follow up to the breast reconstruction. Who knows how long it would have been to detect the recurrence if I had not had that appointment.

jendrey · May 2011

Brooklynchele said:
Docs
My MO only wanted to see me every 6 months when I finished chemo last Fall. When my breast surgeon heard that, she was angry and she said I should be seen every 3 months so she's "filling in the missing appointments". That being said, my mother is STILL seen by her MO and it's been 21 years since her surgery and there was no recurrence (her's was in her chest wall so technically not breast cancer).

Michele

...
I hope my oncologist isn't going to be long term - he's a real jerk, an arrogant jerk who always thinks he's right and cannot hear about anything he's not interested in! He's not the oncologist I started out with...that one didn't like the commute.

Double Whammy · May 2011

jendrey said:
...
I hope my oncologist isn't going to be long term - he's a real jerk, an arrogant jerk who always thinks he's right and cannot hear about anything he's not interested in! He's not the oncologist I started out with...that one didn't like the commute.

I'm not sure
but I'm pretty sure my medical oncologist will be seeing me forever. She's 20+ years younger than me, so unless she leaves or I live to be 100, I think we're on forever. It will be less frequent after 2 years - I think. I'm pretty sure the same is true of my breast surgeon who will see and examine me every 6 months for the first 2 years. My rad onc said every 4 months, but she called and said since I'd seen everybody else recently, we'd skip the first one and she'll see me in September. I'm not sure I understand the need for her to follow me, but I'm really ok with having my breasts examined often and by many (my med onc does not do an exam). I also see my gyn onc every 4 months for 2 years, and although he doesn't do a breast exam, he typically asks about what's going on there and has always reviewed those notes in my record.

I don't ever want to be totally released from being seen by someone in oncology, although I fully trust my primary care physician. I see all the exams and labs as additional insurance in case of recurrence. They're all really nice people, and I don't mind at all "visiting" them.

I also find that after a year of all of this, I'm becoming more comfortable with all of this.

Suzanne

VickiSam · May 2011

Double Whammy said:
I'm not sure
but I'm pretty sure my medical oncologist will be seeing me forever. She's 20+ years younger than me, so unless she leaves or I live to be 100, I think we're on forever. It will be less frequent after 2 years - I think. I'm pretty sure the same is true of my breast surgeon who will see and examine me every 6 months for the first 2 years. My rad onc said every 4 months, but she called and said since I'd seen everybody else recently, we'd skip the first one and she'll see me in September. I'm not sure I understand the need for her to follow me, but I'm really ok with having my breasts examined often and by many (my med onc does not do an exam). I also see my gyn onc every 4 months for 2 years, and although he doesn't do a breast exam, he typically asks about what's going on there and has always reviewed those notes in my record.

I don't ever want to be totally released from being seen by someone in oncology, although I fully trust my primary care physician. I see all the exams and labs as additional insurance in case of recurrence. They're all really nice people, and I don't mind at all "visiting" them.

I also find that after a year of all of this, I'm becoming more comfortable with all of this.

Suzanne

Oncologist as well as Plastic Surgeon
for the next few years.

I now use my Oncologist as my primary doctor - I don't have health insurance now, so I prefer to go to him for the common cold, flu as well as == Onco quartely check up's. It's a 1 stop shopping or medical check for me.

Plastic Surgeon -- I need to decide to 'nipple' or not to nipple, plus 3D tatt's.

My Oncologist will be referring me to GYNO within the St. Joseph's Hospital family, as I had a abnormal pap reading .. I need to be re-checked, and I think it will be wised to see a GYNO affliated with St. Joe's and my ONCO grouping -- just in case my 2nd pap is cancerous -- I prefer to be close enough to be monitored by Oncologist.

Vicki Sam

Which doctors will be long term?

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