Post treatment follow-up
G.G.
Member Posts: 4 Member
Hi,
I am new to these boards and had a couple of questions for everyone. I was diagnosed in Feb. with IDC with no lymph node involvement. In March I had a double mastecomy with reconstuction. My tumor was 2.4cm so I also had 4 rounds of chemo which I just finished up in early June. I am starting tamoxifine next week because my cancer was also esto. and prog. positive.
I met with my onocologist last week and came away from the appointment very upset. I had lots of questions for him and his answers were very vague. You could tell that he doesn't think that nutrition and exercise have any effect on cancer. By the end of the appointment I started to cry and told him that I was just scared that the cancer is going to come back. He handed me a tissue and couldn't get out of the room fast enough!! So I am now in search of a new onocologist.
I was just curious what others with breast cancer have been told what their follow-up care and tests will be? I was told I would see the onocologist every 4 months for a check-up and blood work. No other tests would be run unless I have symptoms or problems. This left me feeling really nervous.
I am a pretty strong person and have done pretty well through all of this until now. Are there others out there that felt very scared when your treatments ended? Everyone keeps telling me how wonderful it must feel to be finished with treatment. I just smile and say it is, but I'm very scared. I would really appreciate any feedback from anyone. Thank you so very much!! G.G.
I am new to these boards and had a couple of questions for everyone. I was diagnosed in Feb. with IDC with no lymph node involvement. In March I had a double mastecomy with reconstuction. My tumor was 2.4cm so I also had 4 rounds of chemo which I just finished up in early June. I am starting tamoxifine next week because my cancer was also esto. and prog. positive.
I met with my onocologist last week and came away from the appointment very upset. I had lots of questions for him and his answers were very vague. You could tell that he doesn't think that nutrition and exercise have any effect on cancer. By the end of the appointment I started to cry and told him that I was just scared that the cancer is going to come back. He handed me a tissue and couldn't get out of the room fast enough!! So I am now in search of a new onocologist.
I was just curious what others with breast cancer have been told what their follow-up care and tests will be? I was told I would see the onocologist every 4 months for a check-up and blood work. No other tests would be run unless I have symptoms or problems. This left me feeling really nervous.
I am a pretty strong person and have done pretty well through all of this until now. Are there others out there that felt very scared when your treatments ended? Everyone keeps telling me how wonderful it must feel to be finished with treatment. I just smile and say it is, but I'm very scared. I would really appreciate any feedback from anyone. Thank you so very much!! G.G.
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Comments
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Welcome, G.G.
I believe that your feelings, at this particular juncture, are quite common - not unusual at all - for us. The many treatments, requiring such frequent appointments and close watch by our medical pros, provide a sense of "security" because "we are fighting back the disease"... We are actually "doing" something. Then, when it all comes to an end - there's often a sense of being left adrift without a lifeboat, just a life preserver.
I am an almost six year survivor now. My own onc (for whom I am so very grateful) has often reminded me - while my follow-up appointments have stretched further and further apart - that "this is the whole point"... In other words, getting back to life after cancer. Since he is confident enough about my health status to see/check me less often, it means I'm doing very well. When I asked about additional tests, his response was: "Don't fret about tests I am not ordering. The time to worry is if I do."
We are all here to support and encourage each other. Visit often, whenever you may like or need to.0 -
Dear G.G. I am so sorry your
Dear G.G. I am so sorry your onc is so cold. I am very fortunate to have many kind, and caring doctors and nurses. I agree that that you should find a doctor that is compassionate.
There is much research that documents that excericise and a low fat diet can lower the chance of your cancer returning. Its because it reduces the circulating estrogen in your bloodstream.
I am 3 years out from diagnosis and am just now going from 3 month visits to 6 month visits. I have bloodwork each time to check my counts and things like phosforous(sp?), magnesium etc...and since my breast tissue is still dense, I have an MRI every year. I just had a follow-up bone scan as part of a trial that I am in and that came out clear.
MY doc listens to my lungs, heart, checks my liver, lymphnodes and breasts during each visit and asks me how I am feeling. That is pretty common, I think. From what I know, most docs do not run scans/tests as routine follow-up. Most do only when there is something to be suspicious about. Good luck, and try not to be afraid. As time passes, you will become more calm and confident in the future. Find another nicer doctor though!0 -
I agree GG, you need a new
I agree GG, you need a new oncologist. Lots of us trade the old one in for a new one. I see my rads oncologist and my oncologist every month. Then, it will go to every 3 months, then 6 months, then every year, but, that is aways off yet. My oncologist set me up with a nutritionist in the cancer center and it is free. I also am suppose to have a mammogram this year and a MRI and maybe an ultrasound. I want the tests! I want to be sure IF it comes back that it is caught early. Good luck to you GG!0 -
Hi GG, welcome to the
Hi GG, welcome to the boards. So sorry you have to be here. I'm sorry about your experience with your onc and too bad he isn't keeping informed as I'm pretty sure the jury is in on exercise having a positive impact on BC. I also think they have found that a low fat diet for premenopausal women increases survival. Mimi posted a while back the low fat diet was good for triple negatives so maybe both are right. You'll need to look into it. I know it's disheartening to find a cold onc, personally I went through a few before using the one I have. Now I just use my Family Physician and visit the onc every 6 mos for a poke, tap and feel. But to be fair to him, 80% of women have no risk factors which means they don't know what caused it. It's hard to prevent something you don't know it's cause. Take a deep breath and don't panic. Soon you'll start your tamoxifen and at this point that is probably your best prevention. Good luck to you and let us know how you're doing. Someone will always be here to answer your questions.
hugs
jan0 -
GG... My first appointment
GG... My first appointment with an oncologist was a complete nightmare... my husband and I left feeling confused and frustrated... I was a wreck for at least a week after our meeting... the very next day I made an appointment with a different doctor, it took two weeks to get in, but the wait was worth it!!
The difference between the two doctors was like night and day... so please do not be afraid to get a different doctor.... it is literally the BEST decision I made..and since seeing him, though I am still in the waiting mode.. It is so less stressful and I am in better spirits and much more comfortable with whatever lays ahead!
You deserve a doctor who listens, is compassionate, and gentle with you and your feelings.
Hugs
~T0 -
changing doctorstaleena said:GG... My first appointment
GG... My first appointment with an oncologist was a complete nightmare... my husband and I left feeling confused and frustrated... I was a wreck for at least a week after our meeting... the very next day I made an appointment with a different doctor, it took two weeks to get in, but the wait was worth it!!
The difference between the two doctors was like night and day... so please do not be afraid to get a different doctor.... it is literally the BEST decision I made..and since seeing him, though I am still in the waiting mode.. It is so less stressful and I am in better spirits and much more comfortable with whatever lays ahead!
You deserve a doctor who listens, is compassionate, and gentle with you and your feelings.
Hugs
~T
My husband is active duty military, and when I got my diagnosis, one of my first thoughts about the doctor that I was scheduled with: was how long he would be there to follow me, when was he going to be reassigned, when would he deploy to Iraq, when would he retire? His nurse assured me he would be around.
The doctor was an excellent surgeon, but not really very good at explaining things. Not bad, not dismissive of my questions, but maybe just not comfortable talking to patients, or to me.
The surgery is done, they just called to schedule me for my 3-month follow-up, and I've been scheduled with another doctor. I didn't ask why. I know I could press the issue and get in with my original physician, but I decided maybe this fellow will be better.
If not...then I'll make sure I get the other guy next time.
You need to be comfortable with your team.
Lisa0 -
SAFE
I'm sorry you had such a "busy" onocologist that he couldn't offer you a little bit of reassurance, Mine more or less let me know she would be keeping a very close eye on me. Not that she was sure it would be back but more if it did we would be all over it! I have the BRAC 2 gene so my onocoligist said we are going to be very good friends for a really long time :)It made me feel better knowing she was there for me. Find a new Onocologist! I finished Chemo the end of April. I will be going in every 3 months for ?????? She said they will draw blood and watch for any changes. I wish you the best! RaeAnn0 -
I am so sorry your
I am so sorry your oncologist lacked bedside manners! If you are confident in his abilities, though, think twice before switching: better a doctor who lacks interpersonal skills than a personal doctor who lacks medical experience. Is there a nurse you can talk to? (I request female doctors as I find them more responsive.) Of course, the best is the doctor who has both! So if you find one, SNAG HIM?HER and pass the word!
I had invasive ductal, one node involvement, ten years ago. Had a mastecomy, reconstruction, chemo, five years of tamoxifen and one year of femara. Was followed by the onc every four months for the first two years, every sixth months for another two years, then once a year for the next two years. When I went off femara, I was "released" from the oncologist--her decision--but was followed yearly by an internist who did the follow ups for the cancer. You cannot EVER stop being diligient. I have a recurrence now in the reconstructed breast. (If you get what seems like scar tissue years out, HAVE IT BIOPSIED.) Caught it early, I think, though we did hem and haw around as what is on the skin does seem like scar tissue. Wasn't until one tumor broke through the skin that we went for the biospy. Let me know how it goes. I will be thinking of you and holding you in my prayers.
I don't want to scare you or anything. Your line of treatment seems aggressive and a recurrence has a low rate of recurrence. But keep your guard up. I was forty eight last time. Chemo knocked me into menopause or maybe it was "my time" naturally. Watch for that moment when your ovaries stop working. Switching over to an aromatase inhibitor might be an option when that happens. (I wish I would have kept on the Femara longer. That is what I am taking now for neoadjuvant therapy and I can see it working on the surface tumors! It is really cool to watch those babies shrink!)0 -
You never know how longLtalcott said:changing doctors
My husband is active duty military, and when I got my diagnosis, one of my first thoughts about the doctor that I was scheduled with: was how long he would be there to follow me, when was he going to be reassigned, when would he deploy to Iraq, when would he retire? His nurse assured me he would be around.
The doctor was an excellent surgeon, but not really very good at explaining things. Not bad, not dismissive of my questions, but maybe just not comfortable talking to patients, or to me.
The surgery is done, they just called to schedule me for my 3-month follow-up, and I've been scheduled with another doctor. I didn't ask why. I know I could press the issue and get in with my original physician, but I decided maybe this fellow will be better.
If not...then I'll make sure I get the other guy next time.
You need to be comfortable with your team.
Lisa
You never know how long your doctors will be practicing even if they aren't in the military. My surgeon didn't like answering questions either but I knew he was good. So I asked the questions to the oncologist. About a year or so after surgery he had to retire for health reasons. I decided just to see the oncologist for visits at that point. I was diagnosed in 2003.0 -
G.G.
So sorry for the ordeal you had to go through. I was just informed today that I will never be released until I pass away or my Oncologist (Rads, surgeon, & medical) pass away first. Seems I made quite a stir among the medical field with some of my test results, etc. that I have become a star patient. As my Rad Oncologist said today "you are going to make us look good!". So I was fortunate to luck out in being watched the rest of my life. If you are not comfortable with you oncologist....please seek out a consultation with a different one. This is the rest of your life and you should feel 100% comfortable putting it into their hands. Hope it works out for you.
Pammy 0
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