after treatment

opam
opam Member Posts: 9
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Hi! This is my first posting to the board, after having good feelings about what I've seen so far. In 2002, I had a diagnosis of stage 1 breast cancer, a mastectomy, chemo, and recontstruction. Am currently on tamoxifen. My onc (whom I really love) doesn't believe in any blood tests or scans for stage 1 breast cancer survivors. Is this typical for all of you also? I really feel confident that I've beaten this thing, but some people express surprise that I don't have follow up tests, and then that old anxiety pops back up. Second comment: Anyone else have weight gain with tamoxifen? I'd really love some responses. I'm 3 years out, feeling good, but always concerned, you know?

Comments

  • DiO
    DiO Member Posts: 51
    #2
    Do I ever know!! My onc has the same approach as yours. I was diagnosed 12/03 with invasive ductal carcinoma, had lumpectomy, sentinal node biopsy. Stage 2, grade 2, er/pr +, her2-, 1/6 nodes pos. Had 4 AC, 4 taxol, 33 rads and am now on Arimidex for 5 years. I never had any scans or tests to determine if there was any further spread at diagnosis or since. Onc doesn't believe in tumor markers--too unreliable. I have regular bloodwork at 4 month intervals--CBC and liver enzymes--plus he ordered a baseline bone density because of the Arimedex which he will repeat in two years to be sure it's still ok or if I need treatment to prevent osteoporosis. That's it! Am I comfortable with this? Not really, but I'm assured on several fronts that this is the standard of treatment in many centers, including some of the bigger more renowned ones, so am learning to live with it. They insist that symptoms and breast exams are the best at finding recurrances or mets, and that finding them sooner rather than later makes no difference in the treatment or outcome. So far I'm feeling great except for some joint pain from the Arimidex. Haven't had any weight gain from that, but never took Tamoxifen as I'm post menopausal so went straight to the Arimidex. Hang in there, and as I'm doing try to make the most of every day, as no one knows what tomorrow will bring for us as cancer survivors as well for anyone else! Good luck and God bless, Di
  • seeknpeace
    seeknpeace Member Posts: 259
    #3
    Hi there!! And welcome. I think that you have to follow your gut...a lot of us are alive because we did. The thing that you said that concerns me the most is that your doc felt that finding a recurrance or mets sooner rather than later felt the outcome was no different. I have to say that I totally do not agree with that, if I am understanding what you are saying and it very well could be that I am misunderstanding. For me, I needed to be reassured. One of the strongest and greatest cancer survivors that I know of, Lance Armstrong, had every test done in the sun and if he felt uncomfortable ever in that first five years he went and saw the doc and tests were run. I think that you just have to follow your heart and gut. Your docs approach probably would not work for me. But,I also see that you must have a lot of confidence in this doctor. Just be sure to demand what you need if you need a test. And, again, Welcome!! Jan
  • Kathy1108
    Kathy1108 Member Posts: 62
    #4
    seeknpeace said:

    Hi there!! And welcome. I think that you have to follow your gut...a lot of us are alive because we did. The thing that you said that concerns me the most is that your doc felt that finding a recurrance or mets sooner rather than later felt the outcome was no different. I have to say that I totally do not agree with that, if I am understanding what you are saying and it very well could be that I am misunderstanding. For me, I needed to be reassured. One of the strongest and greatest cancer survivors that I know of, Lance Armstrong, had every test done in the sun and if he felt uncomfortable ever in that first five years he went and saw the doc and tests were run. I think that you just have to follow your heart and gut. Your docs approach probably would not work for me. But,I also see that you must have a lot of confidence in this doctor. Just be sure to demand what you need if you need a test. And, again, Welcome!! Jan

    Welcome to the board. I diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer and 4 positive lymph nodes in 5/03. I had mastectomy, 4 AC, 4 taxol and 30 radiations treatments. I am now on Fermara for the next 4 years. I was on Arimidex for one year couldn't take the joint pain. I have scans every year and I get a blood test every 3 months when I see my onc. For myself I feel better knowing that I am having these test and scans making sure that I am still fine. But you have to do what you are comfortable with.
    Kathy
  • opam
    opam Member Posts: 9
    #5
    DiO said:

    Do I ever know!! My onc has the same approach as yours. I was diagnosed 12/03 with invasive ductal carcinoma, had lumpectomy, sentinal node biopsy. Stage 2, grade 2, er/pr +, her2-, 1/6 nodes pos. Had 4 AC, 4 taxol, 33 rads and am now on Arimidex for 5 years. I never had any scans or tests to determine if there was any further spread at diagnosis or since. Onc doesn't believe in tumor markers--too unreliable. I have regular bloodwork at 4 month intervals--CBC and liver enzymes--plus he ordered a baseline bone density because of the Arimedex which he will repeat in two years to be sure it's still ok or if I need treatment to prevent osteoporosis. That's it! Am I comfortable with this? Not really, but I'm assured on several fronts that this is the standard of treatment in many centers, including some of the bigger more renowned ones, so am learning to live with it. They insist that symptoms and breast exams are the best at finding recurrances or mets, and that finding them sooner rather than later makes no difference in the treatment or outcome. So far I'm feeling great except for some joint pain from the Arimidex. Haven't had any weight gain from that, but never took Tamoxifen as I'm post menopausal so went straight to the Arimidex. Hang in there, and as I'm doing try to make the most of every day, as no one knows what tomorrow will bring for us as cancer survivors as well for anyone else! Good luck and God bless, Di

    Thank you, Di, and everyone else who replied. I feel better. Have become much more trusting in God and in myself since cancer. God Bless You, and thanks again!
  • SweetSue
    SweetSue Member Posts: 217
    #6
    I go to Beaumont Hospital in Michigan and the oncologist there does not insist on any testing.
    I was stage 2 (4cm) no positive lymph nodes, but had chemo because of the 4cm. I have had no scans, just blood work. He said he really doesn't need to see me for two years (surgery was 3/19/03) because I see so many other doctors...breast surgeon, gynecologist, thyroid, etc.
    We are at the professionals' mercy.

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