Realistic Expectations for Stage IIIa

Future
Future Member Posts: 133 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I was diagnosed with Breast CA in May 03. Did mastectomy, chemo and radiation. I thought by now I'd be at a point where I'd see medical oncologist every 4-6 months and radiation oncologist every year. Seeing both more frequently than that and every 3-4 months dealing with "we need to rule out recurrence". Was my expections unreasonable. I'm having trouble maintaining my positive attitude.

Comments

  • lindatn
    lindatn Member Posts: 229
    #2
    I am one year ahead of you dx in May of 2002. I stopped going to my radiation Dr right after I finished, he was to dumb for words. But I continue every 3 or months to see my onco. She said if all bloodwork was okay and the mammogram on the lumpectomy side was fine when I have it Nov 15th she would then see me every six months. It will then be three years since I finished radiation. I have had no bone or CT scans since dx and do not want them, I figure my body has had enough radiation to last a life time. I of course would go right back in if I thought there was a problem. Like she told me listen to your body early test really don't change the outcome with cancer in our cases. I had two postive nodes and am on Arimidex, just stopped the tamoxifen about a week ago after nearly three years. I am not sure what good it does to see a radiation onco, I do have a mammogram twice a year on the lumpectomy side and of course yearly on the other. If you don't want to see the Drs so often don't go. We are the ones who pay the DRs. Just remember be informed about what you decide. Your life is still in your own hands. God Bless Linda
  • vac
    vac Member Posts: 97
    #3
    i have stage III b i had bilat mas reconstructive, chemo, stem cel transplant, and radiation. i am going to do everything i can to beat this and stay alive. i have alote to live for. i am a fighter and have a positive attitude
  • debw
    debw Member Posts: 99
    #4
    I had 3A lobular in 2000. Just had a new tumor pop up but they are right on it. Keep going to the doctor.
  • roxanne53
    roxanne53 Member Posts: 154
    #5
    I am stage 3a. I did not see the radiation doctor after finishing the raditation treatment 12/23/03. I see the oncologist on quarterly basis for the follow up. I get blood work, check up. Suppose in February sometime will get the ct and bone scans. I have had this 2ce now. They are watching spot on rib. This time I will get bone density test done. I have my oncologist follow up next week in fact.
    I do see my reconstruction surgeon to finish up there. I will see him yearly after completely done. Tatooing is all that is left.
    the Oncologist is the primary for the cancer follow up.
    Don't know if this helps as what I am doing.
    Take care
    Roxanne
  • Future
    Future Member Posts: 133 Member
    #6
    Appreciate all the comments. Looks like there is no standard for how often you should see your doctors, and which ones.
  • JAM2
    JAM2 Member Posts: 1
    #7
    vac said:

    i have stage III b i had bilat mas reconstructive, chemo, stem cel transplant, and radiation. i am going to do everything i can to beat this and stay alive. i have alote to live for. i am a fighter and have a positive attitude

    I, too am Stage IIIB. What is the stem cell for. I had a bilateral mastectomy on June 3, started dosedense chemo on Aug. 3. I currently have 6 down and two to go. I will then follow up with 6 weeks of radiation. I have not had reconstruction surgery at this point, but may down the line...not much tissue left there. I am dealing with lots of bone pain right now. I have done pretty well considering all things, however, I feel that after this last round of chemo, I am starting to feel overwhelmed. Did you experience that as well? What kind of prognosis did your oncologist give you?

    Thanks for your input.

Discussion Boards