My Visit with the New Oncologist and Update

mp327

As you all know, I was scheduled to meet the oncologist who took over my case due to the death of my doctor back in December.  I saw her on the 25^th. and I like her very much.  She seemed familiar with my case history, so she had obviously done some homework prior to my arrival.  She is very young, but I see that as a good thing, as I won’t have to worry about her retiring any time soon!

She looked at my most recent scan, which was a year ago, and agreed that no more scans were indicated.  She feels that what appeared on my liver last time is most likely a benign hemangioma.  I told her that if something had been malignant, I most likely wouldn’t be sitting there talking to her, and she just smiled and agreed.

We discussed my other issues and she feels that the malabsorption and history of blockages are both due to the radiation treatment.  We also discussed my kidney issues and she agrees that several things in my case could be contributors, including the contrast used in previous scans.  My medications were reviewed and she was glad to hear that my internist had cut the dosages on several of them to give my kidneys a break.

A CBC was done and was normal, so there were no concerns there.  She didn’t order any kidney function tests, so I’m not sure what my status on that day was regarding that. 

We discussed when I should see her again.  She suggested either 6 months or a year from now.  I told her that, given the fact that I see my colorectal surgeon every 6 months, I just had a complete physical and gyno exam, I see a dermatologist once a year, and I go back to the nephrologist in June, I felt that I was being monitored by the other doctors closely enough that we could wait a year.  She was agreeable so I am very happy about that!

I see my colorectal surgeon on March 3^rd. for my usual 6 month DRE and anoscope and hope that I’m in and out of there in a flash.  On March 10^th., I am scheduled to see a doctor who specializes in rheumatology and osteoporosis to discuss my bone issues, as per the recommendation of my gynecologist.  She was not happy that I was no longer taking the Fosamax, so she wants me to see a specialist who may be able to offer other options to protect my bones.  While I don’t look forward to having one more doctor to see, I decided it would be worthwhile to get his opinion.  I have been having a bit of hip pain lately, so I need to get that checked out by him.  My mammogram is coming up in March as well.  So, I have lots going on in the next few weeks.

I still need to schedule an appointment with the nutrition department at the hospital to discuss dietary issues and what I need to do to protect my kidneys and avoid further intestinal obstructions.  For someone who loves to eat and used to be able to eat anything they desired, I sure have become a complicated person! 

I am happy to report that my new kitty, Chopper, is doing well.  While my other two cats still get easily irritated by her playfulness, everyone is tolerating each other.  When my big male cat has had enough, he gives Chopper what I refer to as a “courtesy hiss.”  LOL!  It’s his way of saying “that’s enough.”  We will be taking a trip up to see my Mom in a couple of weeks and my neighbor will be caring for them, so I hope everyone gets along in our absence.

That’s it for now.  Thank you all for your ongoing support.  You’re the best!

Martha

Cazz

New Oncologist

Gosh, Martha, I knew you had a lot of things going on, but when you list them all out its pretty overwhelming.  Still, they are all helping you to keep on keepin' on and that's what counts.

I'm glad you like your new oncologist, it must be very hard to see someone new after you had such a good rapport with your previous one, but hopefully you will only ever need to see her once a year for the foreseeable future.

And of course I'm glad to hear that Chopper is getting on well with your other kitties - the big ones have a way of keeping the young upstarts in their place!

Wishing you well for your upcoming appointments and please let us know anything interesting that you find out, as you know, you are our fount of all wisdom!

Carol

mp327

Cazz said:

New Oncologist

Gosh, Martha, I knew you had a lot of things going on, but when you list them all out its pretty overwhelming.  Still, they are all helping you to keep on keepin' on and that's what counts.

I'm glad you like your new oncologist, it must be very hard to see someone new after you had such a good rapport with your previous one, but hopefully you will only ever need to see her once a year for the foreseeable future.

And of course I'm glad to hear that Chopper is getting on well with your other kitties - the big ones have a way of keeping the young upstarts in their place!

Wishing you well for your upcoming appointments and please let us know anything interesting that you find out, as you know, you are our fount of all wisdom!

Carol

Carol

OMG, thank you!  However, the closest I've ever come to having any wisdom was prior to having three of my wisdom teeth extracted.   Once those were gone, I was left with only one that only partially came in, hence, I became a "half-wit."  lol!

I do feel comfortable with my new doctor.  Of course, I would rather still be seeing my wonderful Dr. Seay.  However, he hand-picked this new one for the practice, so as I told her yesterday, "Dr. Seay obviously had great confidence in you, therefore, so do I."  I think we'll get along fine.

Chopper was supposed to be my spy and let me know when one of the other kitties makes a hairball mess.  However, I think they have coerced her into remaining mum and not ratting them out.  lol!

Take good care and rest up after your day yesterday.  I hope you heal quickly!

Martha

Phoebesnow

New oncologist

it's very good news that you like her.  She sounds wonderful and caring.  

 

We have many of the same issues.  Malabsorption, liver blip, and blockages, osteoporosis...

 

 I wonder how many anal cancer patients have had a liver lesion pop up within a few years of treatment?  Mine is 2 centimeters and looks benign. They want to follow up in six months with another CT. 

 

I love Kittens!  Good luck with Chopper.  I'm sure they like her more than they are letting on. Unlike dogs cats love change.  Have you tried Temptations hair ball  formula?  It's treats and medicine in one.  Read the directions carefully.  We have no more  throw ups and the cats are happier!

 

 

 

 

sephie

interesting re: osteoporosis

hey, martha, so glad you like your new oncologist..... concerning osteoporosis, i have it (even tho took fosomax and etc.).....I  was told 6 years ago by MDA bone specialtist that i would need Reclast infusions but for only 3 years due to the fact that i had been on fosomax, actonel, evista for years......he also said to NOT let anyone give me Forteo because it could cause cancer in people whom had been treated with radiation....so just somw info  for you before you see the doc.......sephie

mp327

Phoebesnow said:

New oncologist

it's very good news that you like her.  She sounds wonderful and caring.  

 

We have many of the same issues.  Malabsorption, liver blip, and blockages, osteoporosis...

 

 I wonder how many anal cancer patients have had a liver lesion pop up within a few years of treatment?  Mine is 2 centimeters and looks benign. They want to follow up in six months with another CT. 

 

I love Kittens!  Good luck with Chopper.  I'm sure they like her more than they are letting on. Unlike dogs cats love change.  Have you tried Temptations hair ball  formula?  It's treats and medicine in one.  Read the directions carefully.  We have no more  throw ups and the cats are happier!

 

 

 

 

Phoebesnow

Yes, it sounds like we deal with a lot of the same things--including cats with furballs!  I'll try the Temptations treats and see if it helps.  Thanks for the tip!

 I hope your next CT will show that blip to be stable or even shrinking.  I really think if my blip would have been anything sinister, I would have known before now.  I wish you all good news and I know you'll share it with us when the time comes.

Martha 

mp327

sephie said:

interesting re: osteoporosis

hey, martha, so glad you like your new oncologist..... concerning osteoporosis, i have it (even tho took fosomax and etc.).....I  was told 6 years ago by MDA bone specialtist that i would need Reclast infusions but for only 3 years due to the fact that i had been on fosomax, actonel, evista for years......he also said to NOT let anyone give me Forteo because it could cause cancer in people whom had been treated with radiation....so just somw info  for you before you see the doc.......sephie

sephie

Thanks for the info about the osteo drugs, especially the Forteo--I've never heard of that one.  I have no idea what this doctor will suggest, so we'll see.  I'm sure I need to do something to help my bones.

Martha

eihtak

Martha.....

Thank you for the update and it sounds like a thorough assessment by this new oncologist.  Bone issues are serious business alone, but when combined with digestion, kidney and any other treatment related concerns they can be difficult to repair.

Is the reason you do not take Fosamax due to blockages and kidneys....as I've heard it can make those worse? I have been taking it for several years now with no related problems that I know of but have read it should not be taken if you have had or have cancer or are receiving chemo.....well?????....I'll need to run that past my doctor I guess.

I will continue to have you in my prayers for good reports on all your upcoming appointments and tests as well as safe travels and luck with your visit to your mom.

katheryn

pializ

eihtak said:

Martha.....

Thank you for the update and it sounds like a thorough assessment by this new oncologist.  Bone issues are serious business alone, but when combined with digestion, kidney and any other treatment related concerns they can be difficult to repair.

Is the reason you do not take Fosamax due to blockages and kidneys....as I've heard it can make those worse? I have been taking it for several years now with no related problems that I know of but have read it should not be taken if you have had or have cancer or are receiving chemo.....well?????....I'll need to run that past my doctor I guess.

I will continue to have you in my prayers for good reports on all your upcoming appointments and tests as well as safe travels and luck with your visit to your mom.

katheryn

Martha

Well done to the new oncologist for being able to impress you! It sounds like your previous oncologist was a tough one to follow. 

I believe that the full impact of chemo radiotherapy is unknown, and side effects are under reported. I know I tend to accomodate many idiosyncrasies health wise that may or may not be related to treatment. I haven't had a full set of blood work done since therapy ended 37 months ago. i have only had vit d checked because I started losing my hair and I asked for testing. 

Last week was a good week. I felt for the first time that I was back to being me. I suffered with fatigue before diagnosis and was just about my only symptom. Well, after a week of being me, I kind of crashed! I even slept through my alarm this morning! Unheard of for me. Even through treatment I set my alarm for 7 am. 

I was diagnosed with osteopenia in my right hip following treatment. I also had vit d deficiency. I can't remember the details now, but I decided against fosomax and that I would increase my dietary intake of calcium (fat free yoghurt, low fat cheese etc) & take a separate vitamin d3 supplement. I had a problem with the supplement as it triggered what is suspected to be a gallstone attack. I have since found a sublingual spray which has improved my vit d to normal range.

i think we will always be a mystery following treatment!

Wishing you well Martha, and hope your visit to your Mom goes well.

Liz

nonichol

Keep us posted !

Keep us posted !