Surgeon or Onc

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Kaye2003
Kaye2003 Member Posts: 86
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
My husband is on his last week on xeloda post op. We have an appointment to see his surgeon in 3 weeks.
I've noticed that most of you have follow up care with your onc instead of surgeon. Should we see both or just the surgeon for another CT and colonoscopy?
My husband had rectal cancer, rad/chemo pre op, transanal excision surgery, post op chemo. First CT showed only rectal cancer, all other areas clean. Blood work always normal....
We just don't want to make a mistake on who we should follow up with. We trust his surgeon and onc. Both are excellent doctors.
I just pray for the day we can feel a little relaxed again and not worried all the time.
Thanks and God Bless.

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  • kangatoo
    kangatoo Member Posts: 2,105 Member
    #2
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    Hiya Kaye--not sure your protocol over in tha states but herepost op/ post chemo, my surgeon was the man to see. He arranged for me to return to my local doctor with a follow-up report. She(local doctor) then took his report on board and we discussed follow up procedure.
    In my case it is bloods and ultrasounds every 2-3 months. She then refers me for a specialist for any tests. Of course things may be different your neck of tha woods.
    luv n huggs---kanga n Jen
  • tkd3g
    tkd3g Member Posts: 767
    #3
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    Morning Kaye. I am still in the post-op chemo phase right now. I am followed by both my surgeon, who happens to be my colorectal doctor and the medical oncologist. To be honest, I haven't even seen my general pract. doc, yet. Wonder if he even knows what's going on?

    I know I will be followed like, forever with my colorectal doc. Not sure how long with the oncologist.

    Best to you and your husband. I too, wonder if the "fear" will ever go away. Best thing we can do is live each and every day to the fullest. Make sure you laugh every day. Get outside as much as you can.

    Good advice for all to follow.

    Barb
  • nanuk
    nanuk Member Posts: 1,358 Member
    #4
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    Kaye: Your question is interesting..I only see my Onc, as the surgeon is out of state. My primary doc hasn't seen me for a year. If I go to another Doc for diagnostics, surgery, etc. all the information goes back to the Onc. I'm not sure there is an established way to get your follow-up
    treatment, but everybody should be communicating.
    Bud
  • 2bhealed
    2bhealed Member Posts: 2,064 Member
    #5
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    Hi kaye,

    My surgeon wanted to see me at some point to do a colonoscopy. Normally my exams are all done through my onc with the only one follow-up later with the surgeon (not including the post-op follow-up).

    peace, emily
  • grandma047
    grandma047 Member Posts: 381
    #6
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    Hi Kaye, I follow up with my surgeon. Haven't seen onc since surgery. Surgeon is saying based on biopsy that I don't need post op chemo. I hope he's right. With everything that I went through with the surgery, he may feel that my body can't go through it too. I don't know. Never even thought about it till now. Maybe, I should ask him if I need to see onc the next time I go. Thanks for the food for thought. Good luck as you go through this journey.
    Love and prayers, Judy(grandma047)
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #7
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    Ahoy, Kaye -

    Probably about as many different answers as there are patients!

    In my case my personal philosophy is: let the surgeon do the cutting and let the oncologist treat the cancer. In the military (and maybe in the "real world") the surgeons are the fighter pilots (cocky, smart, and quite sure of themsleves - of course that's a good thing when taking out a surface to air missle site at mach 1.3 or when opening up someone's belly), but surgeons read up on surgical techniques the way pilots read up on flying techniques - that's their expertise. I'd prefer to have someone who reads up on the latest munitions and improved missle guidance systems managing my weapons payload for my fighter jet - just like I'd rather have someone who reads "Cancer Illustrated" managing my long-term cancer care.

    Just my two cents-worth.

    Stay well!

    - SpongeBob
  • nanuk
    nanuk Member Posts: 1,358 Member
    #8
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    spongebob said:

    Ahoy, Kaye -

    Probably about as many different answers as there are patients!

    In my case my personal philosophy is: let the surgeon do the cutting and let the oncologist treat the cancer. In the military (and maybe in the "real world") the surgeons are the fighter pilots (cocky, smart, and quite sure of themsleves - of course that's a good thing when taking out a surface to air missle site at mach 1.3 or when opening up someone's belly), but surgeons read up on surgical techniques the way pilots read up on flying techniques - that's their expertise. I'd prefer to have someone who reads up on the latest munitions and improved missle guidance systems managing my weapons payload for my fighter jet - just like I'd rather have someone who reads "Cancer Illustrated" managing my long-term cancer care.

    Just my two cents-worth.

    Stay well!

    - SpongeBob

    Gee Bob, nice analogy..munitions and missiles and
    "Cancer Illustrated"...would Em agree? Bud

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