PET scans semi-annually

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cavediver
cavediver Member Posts: 607
edited August 2011 in Breast Cancer #1
Had my appt with Onc today. Last week his nurse called to let me know PET/CT scan was clear... But today I questioned necessity of having them so often. Had one in February, then again in July.... he said he wants to closely monitor me for the next couple of years...so a PET/CT scan every 6 months is what he recommends. I am ok with whatever he thinks best...afterall....I started this process with an 8.6 cm tumor and now I am NED thanks to the agressive approach of treatments under his care. Taking armidex and Fosomax........ so the back aches and hot flashes/sweats is just another part of my new normal for now. The lymphedema is manageable..... I am happy to be cancer free at this time and will deal with these leftoever gifts. He also told me 3-month visits for the next few years as well... I am now going to enjoy the summer out in the boat....heading back to Mexico for the month of October. Hugs to all.......

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  • camul
    camul Member Posts: 2,537
    #2
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    I like this doctor
    I like that he is doing them often enough that if there would be something there, it would be early enough to treat. So happy that you are still dancing! Keep those dancing shoes on for the rest of your life!
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    #3
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    camul said:

    I like this doctor
    I like that he is doing them often enough that if there would be something there, it would be early enough to treat. So happy that you are still dancing! Keep those dancing shoes on for the rest of your life!

    Have...
    Those scans as often as he says is needed...if I had had one every 6 months this recurrence I am experiencing would have been caught so much earlier....

    Enjoy dancing with NED and have a fantastic rest of the summer....
    Best wishes for your continued good health...love, love, love hearing such good news!
    Hugs Nancy
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    #4
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    I am so glad you have NED on
    I am so glad you have NED on your side. Your good news brightens all of our day. Yes, enjoy your summer....and fall, and winter, and spring, and summer and on and on and on! xoxoxo Lynn
  • skipper54
    skipper54 Member Posts: 936 Member
    #5
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    lynn1950 said:

    I am so glad you have NED on
    I am so glad you have NED on your side. Your good news brightens all of our day. Yes, enjoy your summer....and fall, and winter, and spring, and summer and on and on and on! xoxoxo Lynn

    Enjoy your trip with NED
    and be glad your doctor want to watch you so carefully. I was told that I have to see one of my docs every 3 months but the tests are scheduled that often. I guess time will tell. I'm on Femara and Fosamax - no pain just NUCLEAR hot flashes.
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #6
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    skipper54 said:

    Enjoy your trip with NED
    and be glad your doctor want to watch you so carefully. I was told that I have to see one of my docs every 3 months but the tests are scheduled that often. I guess time will tell. I'm on Femara and Fosamax - no pain just NUCLEAR hot flashes.

    Cavediver .. Good news ...
    Our 'after' care treatments, and visits -- varies from WARRIOR to WARRIOR. Then again, we must remember that we are individuals -- and should be treated, as such. Frustrating I know. I just found out last week, that I should be giving myself monthly breast examines -- yes, me a bilateral 'princess' with reconstruction. I on the other hand, am fighting to get a scan of sorts. LOL

    I am happy that we have this site, and we share information --- who knows where I would be without you GALS...!

    Spending the balance of summer on a boat, and in Mexico .. You, enjoy!

    Strength, Courage and Hope.
  • missrenee
    missrenee Member Posts: 2,136 Member
    #7
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    VickiSam said:

    Cavediver .. Good news ...
    Our 'after' care treatments, and visits -- varies from WARRIOR to WARRIOR. Then again, we must remember that we are individuals -- and should be treated, as such. Frustrating I know. I just found out last week, that I should be giving myself monthly breast examines -- yes, me a bilateral 'princess' with reconstruction. I on the other hand, am fighting to get a scan of sorts. LOL

    I am happy that we have this site, and we share information --- who knows where I would be without you GALS...!

    Spending the balance of summer on a boat, and in Mexico .. You, enjoy!

    Strength, Courage and Hope.

    So, so happy for you, Cavediver
    Every doc. and after care treatment is different. I wouldn't mind having the PET scans every 6 months-a year but my onc. and surgeon are not in favor. I guess I could push it and get one. Right now I am having MRI, mammo, ultrasounds every 6 months. My calcs. were missed on routine mammos probably for a couple of years my surgeon said, so MRI is a must. I also have dense tissue.

    Anyway, get those tests, and report back about which dance you'll do with NED every time!

    Congrats.

    Hugs, Renee
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #8
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    camul said:

    I like this doctor
    I like that he is doing them often enough that if there would be something there, it would be early enough to treat. So happy that you are still dancing! Keep those dancing shoes on for the rest of your life!

    Enjoy NED and Enjoy your
    Enjoy NED and Enjoy your summer!


    Hugs, Lex
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #9
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    Cavediver
    Clear scans are great :D I'm glad your onc is being proactive. Yes, our new normals of hot flashes and joint pain are worth it to stay with NED. Glad your lymphedema is under control. Enjoy the rest of the summer and your trip to Mexico. I see my onc every 3 months too. I'm expecting him to want a CT scan when I go in September.
    {{hugs}} Char
  • Ritzy
    Ritzy Member Posts: 4,381 Member
    #10
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    skipper54 said:

    Enjoy your trip with NED
    and be glad your doctor want to watch you so carefully. I was told that I have to see one of my docs every 3 months but the tests are scheduled that often. I guess time will tell. I'm on Femara and Fosamax - no pain just NUCLEAR hot flashes.

    It sounds like your doctor
    It sounds like your doctor is really taking good care of you, and for that, I am so happy!


    Now just enjoy your summer and that trip to Mexico in the Fall!



    Sue :)
  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    #11
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    PET/CT Scan
    I have had only 3 PET scans in 17 years. I only agree to scans when there is a reason to believe there is a problem.

    Scans with all the nuclear dye business might in time not be helpful. Your tumor was large but even that isn't a given that you will eventually have a recurrence and move on to stage IV. In my 17th years with this disease, I have known many women who had a large tumor when diagnose and never went on to be stage IV. I have known women who were stage 0 or 1 who did go on to die of the disease.

    The only difference between finding metastasis early is that your are aware of it and having to deal with treatment longer.

    No matter what my oncologists want, I make the decisions. It's my life, my body, not theirs.
  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member
    #12
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    skipper54 said:

    Enjoy your trip with NED
    and be glad your doctor want to watch you so carefully. I was told that I have to see one of my docs every 3 months but the tests are scheduled that often. I guess time will tell. I'm on Femara and Fosamax - no pain just NUCLEAR hot flashes.

    Congrats on NED!

    Congrats on NED!

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