(2nd) 3 month checkup today - all good!

I had my (2nd) 3-month exam and labs today and got a great report.

Pelvic and rectal exam good!

I was admonished for not having a colonoscopy which was advised 3 months ago (I was due last September anyway) so I know I need to scheduled one. My GI doctor retired last year and my husband went to his replacement for his 5-year follow-up and we did not care for him or his office staff so I need to find someone new who also knows about the radiology stuff.

I had early stage breast cancer 6 years ago and went for that check-up last Tuesday. Yeah still NED and I graduated to annual check-ups.

Back to see my gynecologist oncologist in 3 months but I see the radiation oncologist in 6 weeks so I don't get a full 3month reprieve from worry.

7 & 1/2 months since surgery!

Thanks for everyone's help and support through out this journey.

Comments

  • Lyn70
    Lyn70 Member Posts: 214 Member

    Woodstock,

    In the vernacular of the Hippie, Far Out!

    That is wonderful news! I had my second 6 month CT and all is good, too. I embrace the wisdom of the Sisters here that in time, we can really live between checkups and scans without total panic.

    We share a second cancer survivorship, too. My first was Non Hodgkins Lymphoma diagnosis and colon tumor resection surgery and 3 rounds RCHOP in 2013. I graduated that program, I think it was in 3 years. Congrats to you on your graduation to annual checkups. That is a big step.

    A good report coming from your upcoming radiologists appointment next. I remember my followup was just an exam and discussion of any issues and then referred back to oncologist as the director of my care

  • BluebirdOne
    BluebirdOne Member Posts: 656 Member

    Woo Hoo, Woodstock! Congrats! I had my long postponed colonoscopy one year after surgery, and the good news was that there were no polyps and I went from a three year to a five year surveillance. Before being dx I was always on time for all of my medical and dental checkups. That fell apart first from the cancer treatment and then due to Covid.

    We all know the importance of supporting each other as we go along, celebrating our 3 and then 6 month checkups, and sharing our knowledge.

    xxoo

    Denise

  • woodstock99
    woodstock99 Member Posts: 206 Member

    Lol yes far out is a good way to think about all this and am in an altered state just not the kind from back then! Congrats on your year here and your graduation from Lymphoma diagnosis. That's fantastic news. I liked my RO for the brachy but I did not enjoy pelvic exam by him. I am hoping this one which will be my 2nd after brachy will be it. The 4x a year is hard enough but with having to see him it's almost every 2 months and no enough time in between to just put it behind you and enjoy life. But I know time goes quickly and it's great to hear when everything is good,. Thanks.

  • woodstock99
    woodstock99 Member Posts: 206 Member

    That's great to hear. I had jumped form 3 years to 5 years 5 years ago and hope that's still the case when I go this time. May I ask if you had radiation w/your uterine cancer and if so external or brachy and did that impact the colonoscopy at all? I am trying to keep up with everything but it's hard. I have become my parents and grandparents - always going to teh doctor and talking about medical issues! Oh my - how did that happen? Thanks.

  • Lyn70
    Lyn70 Member Posts: 214 Member

    Woodstock,

    My RO never did a pelvic exam on me. Except for the insertion of the brachy device for my three treatments, we never went there! I understand your feelings. My oncologist is very gentle. My final checkup with the RO never even involved disrobing at all. It is odd the way each doctor differs. He told me I would have to use my vaginal dialator for life.

  • Ribbons
    Ribbons Member Posts: 154 Member


  • thatblondegirl
    thatblondegirl Member Posts: 388 Member

    Great news, Woodstock! Yay! I remember when you first started out here with your first post. Those always tug at my heart…. bringing back the memories of finding this board, anxiously asking questions, desperate for answers.

    So happy for all of us with good reports!

    ❤️, A

  • woodstock99
    woodstock99 Member Posts: 206 Member

    I will see what happens. I go to an NCI teaching hospital/school so often have to deal with residents as well and have to sometimes say no resident if it is something invasive. I am not sure why I have to see the gynecologist oncologist every 3 months AND the radiation oncologist 2x a year. I understand the former but not the latter and plan to ask at this upcoming visit. I have made the dilator part of my routine and will keep using it until I can't! I had uncomfortable exams pre-surgery since menopause so it's been a big help. Thanks.

  • woodstock99
    woodstock99 Member Posts: 206 Member

    Thanks everyone!

  • Ribbons
    Ribbons Member Posts: 154 Member

    I had the three brachytherapy treatments and although that Dr was very nice, I never saw her again. She wanted me to come back once a year but said as long as I was having so many checkups with my GYN/onc that there really was no point in her seeing me too. I was told the same thing about that stupid dilator. I haven’t used it much. At my recent checkup my Dr said maybe I could use it for a few weeks prior to my next checkup, 🤷‍♀️, we will see. Also I have never had a colonoscopy but I did have that cologuard test kit which came back negative for any concern.

  • woodstock99
    woodstock99 Member Posts: 206 Member

    Thanks for letting me know. I am going to push off seeing the RO after this visit. While I want to be checked 6x a year seems like too much if no reason. I was anti-dilator after brachy but I just decided to make it part of my AM routine. I take a thyroid med daily when I wake up but can't eta or drink for 30 minutes after so I take the pill and hop back into bed and do the dilator for 15 minutes while I listen to a meditation. I was using it every day for the first few months but pelvic floor therapist told me I could cut back to a few times a week now. I haven't specifically been told use it for life but as it has definitely made the exam easier for me I will continue. I had my first colonoscopy at age 50 and have done either every 3 or 5 years since depending on whether or not they found a polyp. Lats time I was told to return in 5 years which was last Fall so I do need to schedule.

  • cmb
    cmb Member Posts: 1,001 Member

    I've only seen the gynecological oncologist for my regular cancer-related checkups. I never saw the radiation oncologist or medical oncologist after my final visit after chemo and radiation. I will say the gyn-onc has the best technique for using the speculum of any doctor I've had. There are times he's done before I even realize he's started! That was never the case in the past.

    I have Lynch Syndrome, so I have a endoscopy/colonoscopy every couple of years. In fact, I'm due for the next one, so I better get an appointment with the gastro doctor.

  • Harmanygroves
    Harmanygroves Member Posts: 487 Member

    Hey, Woodstock! What great news from you! CONGRATS!

  • Dak82
    Dak82 Member Posts: 109 Member

    Woodstock what great news! I have my next 3 month exam “down there” on Valentine’s Day—yay! Of course still dealing with cancer in the lungs so my chest scans have taken over my life. I’m not even sure what kind of interval I have given the different doctors who want to see what’s going on!

    Happy days for you Woodstock. I hope the results give you some relief from the constant anxiety.

    XOXO,

    Deb

  • Lyn70
    Lyn70 Member Posts: 214 Member

    Deb,

    Good to see you online. Keeping you in my thoughts 4 Valentine's Day checkup and all Ladies on Valentines Day. May the day be filled with love from spouses, family, friends and pets. How about a little self love and pampering for ourselves?

    You are an athlete/warrior and have been thru so much with extensive surgery, many chemo treatments, brachy therapy and immunotherapy. May the next lung scan, whenever it is scheduled, show shrinkage or elimination of mets in your lungs. Prayers for you. I love walking and you motivate me. TY. ((Hugs))

    I have my next Onc visit on April Fools Day. My lymphoma colon tumor was suspected by severe blood loss and phone call from Primary on April Fools Day 2013! I see you received initial dx on a Friday the 13th. Education over superstition.