1st scan after surgery

todd121 said:

(Minimum) Standard of Care

I was told that the minimum is a chest xray and CT of lower abdomen and pelvis at 4-6 month intervals for 2 years then yearly to 5 years.

However, I was Stage 3 Grade 3, and my RCC specialist is doing CT of chest/abdoment and pelvis at 4 month intervals to 2 years, then yearly after that. I'm in a drug study for an adjuvant therapy, so they are doing blood work at 6 week intervals.

Todd

When they discovered my tumor they found it on a CT, they ordered a chest Xray when I explained my family history of lung cancer (both Mom and Dad).  In this thread and others i have seen several stories and references to chest xrays not being thorough enough diagnostically.  I will be insisting they do a complete Chest and abdomen CT on my regular screenings. 

twinthings said:

I'm getting stronger...

and I'm finding my voice.  You are right, I need to be in charge of my treatment!  Thanks for the advice! 

Best wishes to your mama!

Sindy, I was seeing my urologist/surgeon, and while he is an excellent surgeon, he kept saying " no worries.  I got it all" And that all I needed was chest X-ray....i changed over to an oncologist and I just had my first chest CT, and I have nodules bilaterally in both lungs, and a mass on the right side of my thyroid.  These are in addition to the spot on my left kidney and on my liver.  I just had a PET scan on Friday and will find out what's going on, on Tuesday.  I felt like I didn't want to " upset" my surgeon, but I really had a gut feeling there was a little bit of the "I'm God and I healed you, now go and forget about it" thing going on with him, so I cancelled my 6 month appt with him and made one with the oncologist.  I'm feeling much more secure now and feeling like I'm being proactive in my treatment.  make an appointment with an oncologist, and make it soon.

Skagway Jack said:

Concur

twinthings, I Have an interesting story about a Nephrologist in OKC.  One of my distant relatives has a relation who is a Dr. in OKC, a very experienced and reputable one.  Some family suggested I call him for a second oppinion when my cancer was discovered.  I did and he took time to talk to me.  I am a former military officer and not used to candy coating things, but this Dr. bedside manner even had me a bit shook, and unnecesarlily according to my Uroglogist/surgeon.  I decided to file his opininon in the free advice box recognizing the value of free advice as being worth exactly what I paid for it.  In anycase I concur completely that having an oncologist is the best longterm plan.

Being a Marine brat, having had 2 brothers Navy, two brothers Army and a son currently in the Air Force, I had you pegged as a military man.  And you're right about value of free advice, you get what you pay for. 

I am going to seek out an oncologist today and hopefully schedule an appointment for the next time I'm in OKC.  I pray God lands me in the right hands! 

Thanks for the advice!!

Sindy

twinthings said:

Thank you for your thoughts,

Thank you for your thoughts, Nano! 

According to my urologist, to see an oncologist right now would be "overkill", as, the oncologist would be ordering the same tests that he (urologist) will be ordering and there's no need to double up, in his opinion.  It made sense at the time, but the more I read about patients having ct scans, MRI's or PET scans as a part of their follow-up care, I worry the chest x-ray isn't sufficient.  I will ask him agin when I have my chest x-ray, late November.  If he continues to hesitate, I'll seek on oncologist on my own.  I guess I need an oncologist that specializes in kidney cancer? 

I think it's a sad day when patients are left to figure these things out for themselves rather than relying on our doctors to take the necessary measures to ensure we get the best possible care, with qualified specialists. 

My doctor doesn't seem to think that the fact that I lost both of my parents to cancer, is noteworthy.  They died in their early 60's...I'll be 50 on my next birthday, too close for comfort if you ask me. 

If I read your posts correctly, you live in OKC? If you are looking for a great oncologist, I see Dr. Aleda Toma and her sister Dr. Gigi Toma is a nephrologist. They are both great doctors. I have CT scans for follow ups. Listen to your inside voice. You're are your own best advocate!