What is/was your follow-up plan the first year after treatment? And the 2nd year?

AngieD
AngieD Member Posts: 493
edited December 2012 in Breast Cancer #1
I was diagnosed right after Christmas last year with Triple Negative IDC. Chemo starated in Jan, lumpectomy, and radiation ended the end of Aug. The plan for me is to have a mammogram on both sides once a year and on the lumpectomy side twice a year. A couple of days after the mammograms I see the surgeon and he does a sonogram. (This is scheduled for next week.) On the odd 3 months, I see the MO. And see the RO twice somewhere in there--not sure why that is. He said he likes to keep in touch. (?) Also, my MO said to be in contact if I had any unusual symptoms that last longer than 2 weeks. That's my plan for the first year. Don't know what the 2nd year will be.

So how does this compare with your follow up schedule? Just having those nervous feelings of being so vulnerable----

Angie

Comments

  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    #2
    After the job is over, After a year of follow up, ....
    After one year I said "goodbye" to my radiation oncologist, same with the surgeon. The only doctor I have seen continuously since my BC began in 1994, is my oncologist. Different one, after 5 years, 3 times he let something slip by. I asked for a new oncologist and have had the same one since 2000. My primary has been with me nearly all this time 1996.

    You don't need the radiation or surgeon, they did their job and after a year of follow up, it's over. Mostly, they keep you as it is easy money. If you no longer have any signs of cancer, what is the point of seeing someone whose job is over.

    Your oncologist is different, he/she is for life or after a reasonable amount of years with NED it might be time to say "goodbye".

    I am ER+ so I was always on some hormonal therapy drugs and needed to see the oncologist, some years, it was twice a year, others years more depending on what was going on.

    Sending lots of good wishes your way, Angie. Remember 70% of women never have a recurrence, they are the pink sister. The 30% are not pink, and may you never join that club.

    Best,

    Doris
  • AngieD
    AngieD Member Posts: 493
    #3
    SIROD said:

    After the job is over, After a year of follow up, ....
    After one year I said "goodbye" to my radiation oncologist, same with the surgeon. The only doctor I have seen continuously since my BC began in 1994, is my oncologist. Different one, after 5 years, 3 times he let something slip by. I asked for a new oncologist and have had the same one since 2000. My primary has been with me nearly all this time 1996.

    You don't need the radiation or surgeon, they did their job and after a year of follow up, it's over. Mostly, they keep you as it is easy money. If you no longer have any signs of cancer, what is the point of seeing someone whose job is over.

    Your oncologist is different, he/she is for life or after a reasonable amount of years with NED it might be time to say "goodbye".

    I am ER+ so I was always on some hormonal therapy drugs and needed to see the oncologist, some years, it was twice a year, others years more depending on what was going on.

    Sending lots of good wishes your way, Angie. Remember 70% of women never have a recurrence, they are the pink sister. The 30% are not pink, and may you never join that club.

    Best,

    Doris

    Thanks, Doris. I suspected
    Thanks, Doris. I suspected the RO visits were just easy money. I don't mind seeing the surgeon as long as he is doing sonograms as a mammogram follow up. I was wondering if anyone had other tests done in the first year or two.
    Angie
  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    #4
    AngieD said:

    Thanks, Doris. I suspected
    Thanks, Doris. I suspected the RO visits were just easy money. I don't mind seeing the surgeon as long as he is doing sonograms as a mammogram follow up. I was wondering if anyone had other tests done in the first year or two.
    Angie

    Scans or Any Tests Should Have A Symptom to Justify
    Hi Angie again,

    I had a ct scan as I was having pain in the lower part of my body. I had a ct scan which showed 3 different problem, something on my liver (turned out to be a fatty cysts) thickening of the endometrium (eventually needed a D&C for bleeding) and a torn patch where I had a hernia that had ripped through with the intestines twisting - that was the source of the pain I complained about and had the scan.

    I was on Tamoxifen at the time, so the thickening was noticed 6 months after being on the drug.

    That was my only test. I need a real reason to have a scan. I won't do them unless there is a reason for them. That would be giving cancer the upper hand and my time is to valuable to be doing that sort of thing. All scans or any tests should have a symptom to justify having them. In search of cancer cells isn't one of them.

    I understand how after a year (it was that way with me), all of a sudden the busy life with cancer is over, treatments, scans, blood tests, appointments. One wonders, well should we continue with tests and scans? If markers work for you with blood tests that is a way to monitor. They didn't work at all with me.

    I hope this helps. Go forth as they say and enjoy life...

    Best,

    Doris
  • Tux
    Tux Member Posts: 544
    #5
    SIROD said:

    Scans or Any Tests Should Have A Symptom to Justify
    Hi Angie again,

    I had a ct scan as I was having pain in the lower part of my body. I had a ct scan which showed 3 different problem, something on my liver (turned out to be a fatty cysts) thickening of the endometrium (eventually needed a D&C for bleeding) and a torn patch where I had a hernia that had ripped through with the intestines twisting - that was the source of the pain I complained about and had the scan.

    I was on Tamoxifen at the time, so the thickening was noticed 6 months after being on the drug.

    That was my only test. I need a real reason to have a scan. I won't do them unless there is a reason for them. That would be giving cancer the upper hand and my time is to valuable to be doing that sort of thing. All scans or any tests should have a symptom to justify having them. In search of cancer cells isn't one of them.

    I understand how after a year (it was that way with me), all of a sudden the busy life with cancer is over, treatments, scans, blood tests, appointments. One wonders, well should we continue with tests and scans? If markers work for you with blood tests that is a way to monitor. They didn't work at all with me.

    I hope this helps. Go forth as they say and enjoy life...

    Best,

    Doris

    after care
    Hi Angie--My after care is almost exactly like yours. The only
    additional tests have been a core needle biopsy to check out some
    "wonky" cells. [Results were OK.] Good luck!
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #6
    I had my lumpectomy 4 1/2
    I had my lumpectomy 4 1/2 yrs ago.(followed by 8 wks radiation)Post treatment I had mammo (surgery side) every 6mths then both breast next appt...I just made it to now ONCE year for office visit MO & mammo. (just had ultasound 1st one post DCIS-routine with my mammo)

    My office visits were every 3mths then to 6mths and now yearly-

    Denise
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #7
    Different DX
    Different DX but the first DR to 'kick me to the curb' was my surgeon about 6 mths post surgery as. Long as I see my PA every 6 mths. The next was my Rads Dr. about 3 months after burns were finally healed. (about 6 months post last rad). I still see Chemo Dr every 6 months and he says I always will as I'm high risk of mets. I see my PA every 6 mths which is right between Chemo Dr appt.

    I have an annual mammo. I have bllod work every time I see my PA and it gets sent to Chemo Dr then. THe only scans I've had in 3 yrs have been ones for specific reeasons. I had some horrendous pain arpuind and behind eye about a year after TX so had a head CAT - nothing wrong and 2 week of Dex took care of it. I had some 'mid-body' issues a bit over a yr ago so had an MRI for that - again nothing shouwed up other than the gall stones which knew about but not the problem - it reconciled itself. I had a bone scan because of increased pain in upper back (have arthritis) and again showed nothing other than arthritis is a bit worse. Last Feb I had cataract surgeries - they wanted to do a chest X-raay -because my last one was several yrs ago - I refused. Do the EKG and look at my scans. But when I could very easily NEED more scans in the future - an un-necessary chest X-ray is not going to be done.

    Winyan - The Power Within

    SUsan

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