Appointment coming July 29th

poplolly
poplolly Member Posts: 346
in Breast Cancer #1
I have an appointment July 29th with my oncologist. The last time I saw her was after I finished all treatments. I asked her at that time what we were going to do in terms of recurrence. She said I'd have a lung x-ray in a year and do a mammogram on the other breast, etc.. I told her I didn't want to wait a year for a lunc x-ray; that my breast cancer developed in six months. My concern is that she is not as interested in me now as she was when I had the metaplastic breast cancer. Does this make sense to anyone or have any of you felt this? I hope I'm wrong and I've been reading all the tests the rest of you are having and I'm going to ask her about some of them.


Judy

Comments

  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member
    #2
    Yes, it makes sense Judy. I
    Yes, it makes sense Judy. I have a mammo and ultrasound every 6 months and a MRI once a year. I feel comfortable that if something were to happen, it would be caught early. Stand up for yourself if you want tests more often. You certainly have that right.


    Sue :)
  • pinkkari09
    pinkkari09 Member Posts: 877 Member
    #3
    Hi Judy, I don't know your
    Hi Judy, I don't know your cancer type, but with mine being triple negative, we had pet scans every 3 months. My cancer has come back twice so it's a good thing I'm scanned every 3 months. If you're not comfortable with the follow up procedures that your Onc is scheduling then I would most certainly say so. All my best :)
    Hugs,
    ~Kari
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #4
    pinkkari09 said:

    Hi Judy, I don't know your
    Hi Judy, I don't know your cancer type, but with mine being triple negative, we had pet scans every 3 months. My cancer has come back twice so it's a good thing I'm scanned every 3 months. If you're not comfortable with the follow up procedures that your Onc is scheduling then I would most certainly say so. All my best :)
    Hugs,
    ~Kari

    I felt the same way about my first oncologist
    who lost interest in me because I have been in remission. I guess from the scientific prospective it was nothing he could offer, rather then regular standard regimen. I got a second opinion and never returned back. I thought since I have to deal with my oncologist for life and should feel comfortable and trust, be closely watched. I have had scans only once at the time of my diagnosis. I was told unless I have complains I do not need them. I am ok with it, blood, MRI every 6 months, visits every 3 months, just annual mamo. Everyone's care is deferent, depending on initial diagnosis and treatment.
    Good luck with you appointment,
    Hugs
  • poplolly
    poplolly Member Posts: 346
    #5
    Ritzy said:

    Yes, it makes sense Judy. I
    Yes, it makes sense Judy. I have a mammo and ultrasound every 6 months and a MRI once a year. I feel comfortable that if something were to happen, it would be caught early. Stand up for yourself if you want tests more often. You certainly have that right.


    Sue :)

    Thanks, Ritzy. At think at
    Thanks, Ritzy. At think at least for a year of so I'd like to test more frequently.


    Judy
  • poplolly
    poplolly Member Posts: 346
    #6
    pinkkari09 said:

    Hi Judy, I don't know your
    Hi Judy, I don't know your cancer type, but with mine being triple negative, we had pet scans every 3 months. My cancer has come back twice so it's a good thing I'm scanned every 3 months. If you're not comfortable with the follow up procedures that your Onc is scheduling then I would most certainly say so. All my best :)
    Hugs,
    ~Kari

    I am also triple negative.
    I am also triple negative. Thanks for the advice.

    Judy
  • poplolly
    poplolly Member Posts: 346
    #7
    New Flower said:

    I felt the same way about my first oncologist
    who lost interest in me because I have been in remission. I guess from the scientific prospective it was nothing he could offer, rather then regular standard regimen. I got a second opinion and never returned back. I thought since I have to deal with my oncologist for life and should feel comfortable and trust, be closely watched. I have had scans only once at the time of my diagnosis. I was told unless I have complains I do not need them. I am ok with it, blood, MRI every 6 months, visits every 3 months, just annual mamo. Everyone's care is deferent, depending on initial diagnosis and treatment.
    Good luck with you appointment,
    Hugs

    Thanks, New Flower. I'm
    Thanks, New Flower. I'm just nervous still. I need to get past this fear of recurrence if that's possible.


    Judy
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #8
    poplolly said:

    I am also triple negative.
    I am also triple negative. Thanks for the advice.

    Judy

    Judy ...
    Get your asssss kicking boots on, and insist on scans when you see your Oncologist on 29th. If she states not necessary .. ask for proof via other medical records or research. Then gently remind her, that you are not a stat -- but a person!

    I would then ask for copies of my medical records -- and switch Oncologists.

    Just food for thought!

    Strength, Courage and Hope.

    Vicki Sam
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #9
    poplolly said:

    I am also triple negative.
    I am also triple negative. Thanks for the advice.

    Judy

    Judy ...
    Get your asssss kicking boots on, and insist on scans when you see your Oncologist on 29th. If she states not necessary .. ask for proof via other medical records or research. Then gently remind her, that you are not a stat -- but a person!

    I would then ask for copies of my medical records -- and switch Oncologists.

    Just food for thought!

    Strength, Courage and Hope.

    Vicki Sam
  • poplolly
    poplolly Member Posts: 346
    #10
    VickiSam said:

    Judy ...
    Get your asssss kicking boots on, and insist on scans when you see your Oncologist on 29th. If she states not necessary .. ask for proof via other medical records or research. Then gently remind her, that you are not a stat -- but a person!

    I would then ask for copies of my medical records -- and switch Oncologists.

    Just food for thought!

    Strength, Courage and Hope.

    Vicki Sam

    I love that!! I may just
    I love that!! I may just buy me some new boots for the occassion.

    Thank you Vicki
  • gami43
    gami43 Member Posts: 281
    #11
    poplolly said:

    I love that!! I may just
    I love that!! I may just buy me some new boots for the occassion.

    Thank you Vicki

    I'll be thinking of you
    I'll be thinking of you Friday.
    Hugs go with you.
    Teresa
  • skipper54
    skipper54 Member Posts: 936 Member
    #12
    gami43 said:

    I'll be thinking of you
    I'll be thinking of you Friday.
    Hugs go with you.
    Teresa

    Go with your gut!
    And ask if you can please have more frequent scans if that's what feels right for you. My docs decided on once a year because of PET scan results etc. BUT I have to be seen at least every 3 months by one of them - MO, RO, surg. PS. SOme are willing to take turns, others say my turn every 6 months. That being said, my onc sits down with me and asks how I feel, how meds are going etc. and how life is in general. Seems to take a real interest in all patients, even asking about vacation. So does the surgeon. We have been blessed!
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    #13
    skipper54 said:

    Go with your gut!
    And ask if you can please have more frequent scans if that's what feels right for you. My docs decided on once a year because of PET scan results etc. BUT I have to be seen at least every 3 months by one of them - MO, RO, surg. PS. SOme are willing to take turns, others say my turn every 6 months. That being said, my onc sits down with me and asks how I feel, how meds are going etc. and how life is in general. Seems to take a real interest in all patients, even asking about vacation. So does the surgeon. We have been blessed!

    X-rays...
    They are not reliable in detecting bc recurrence...I know this for sure....had one and nothing showed...I'm triple negative with recurrence two years after first diagnosed...had a CTscan and PET scan and boom! There it was! I wouldn't take no for an answer in wanting a scan instead of an x-ray!

    Best wishes,
    Nancy
  • Mitzi333
    Mitzi333 Member Posts: 511 Member
    #14
    MAJW said:

    X-rays...
    They are not reliable in detecting bc recurrence...I know this for sure....had one and nothing showed...I'm triple negative with recurrence two years after first diagnosed...had a CTscan and PET scan and boom! There it was! I wouldn't take no for an answer in wanting a scan instead of an x-ray!

    Best wishes,
    Nancy

    Hell YES!!!...
    Time to purchase those asssss kicking boots and Demand the proper testing and your records to move on to someone that provide the care and necessary follow up. It's your responsibility to stay and top of the beast!!! Regular testing and f/u is a Must!!!

    Go with your gut feeling and request that your needs are met.

    Best Wishes!!!
    Mitzi ;0)
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #15
    Judy
    I understand your fears of recurrence but my oncologist recommended an xray in one year also. I had bilateral mastectomy in June 2010 and my xray in June 2011 and all was clear. I'm hoping that you have a good visit with your onc tomorrow. After reading all the responses, I may ask my onc in September about have a scan done.
    {{hugs}} Char
  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    #16
    MAJW said:

    X-rays...
    They are not reliable in detecting bc recurrence...I know this for sure....had one and nothing showed...I'm triple negative with recurrence two years after first diagnosed...had a CTscan and PET scan and boom! There it was! I wouldn't take no for an answer in wanting a scan instead of an x-ray!

    Best wishes,
    Nancy

    Hoping that your appointment
    Hoping that your appointment went well and that your oncologist really listened to what you had to say. Let us know how it went.


    Hugs, Angie
  • laurissa
    laurissa Member Posts: 773
    #17
    I feel the same way.
    Testing should be done more often besides relying on bloodwork and waiting for symptoms. The symptoms come when its already progressed. I know all the scans aren't good for the body either but something more should be done as a follow up.
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #18
    laurissa said:

    I feel the same way.
    Testing should be done more often besides relying on bloodwork and waiting for symptoms. The symptoms come when its already progressed. I know all the scans aren't good for the body either but something more should be done as a follow up.

    I agree with you Laurissa.
    I agree with you Laurissa. I think the fear of being exposed to more radiation thru tests have many not getting the proper testing.

    Praying for you,

    Lex

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