Onc. Check-Up-Questions

Katiejane

I was dx 6/07 with ILC.  I had a bilateral mastectomy(l side prophylactic) and node dissection. 3 nodes were involved. (er/pr+ HER 2 -)Surgery was followed with 4 A/C and 25 rads.  I'm now on Arimidex, and 1 week ago had a vaginal hysterectomy, oopherectomy, & bladder sling. I've opted for no reconstruction so hopefully I'm done with surgery. The pathology on the tissue from the hyster. was clear!!  In the past year I've had 2 Pet scans, one because I wanted to make sure post chemo I wasn't still glowing and the 2nd was done to follow up on an area in my lung that had disappeared . They said it was scaring from Rads.  I'm back to work, things are moving on , and I feel good other than LE and I seem to tire alittle easier than I did before BC.

Anyway, I have my first 1 year check this coming Monday(have been seen every 3 months). When you reach 1 year out, are there any special scans, blood work, etc that should be done ?   

I always have my list when I see any Doc so if there's anything I need to add to it, please give me your input!   Thanks,  Katiejane 

Katiejane

Thanks Sherri!!!  Wonderful for you that you are 4 years out!!!  Congratulations!  I really didn't think there would be anything different done that hasn't been done in the past but it's such an ever changing treatment! My GYN wants me to re-try using Vagifem after I heal from this Hyster. because things down there are so dried out and unusable-are you using anything?  My entire being tells me to stay away from any meds. of this type since I was er/pr+.

Thanks---katiejane

wishiwere

Hi Kathiejane.  I didn't have the surgeries down 'there' but did have problems after chemo and with arimidex, so I've used estrace for a couple months and am slowly weaning off it to use non-hormonals. Hoping that they will work now that I've built it up (the lining). Not sure, but I'm down to once a week estrace.  Check out the research first. Everything I've read here and elsewhere say to use either the e-string(the lowest levels are with this one)  or estrace for the lowest amount of estrogen to cross that barrier.  They can redo the estrogen levels after you are on it a couple months to check that also.

I want OFF asap b/c of ER/PR +, so that's what I'm striving for.

You might also want to check out the thread on 'I want my mojo back' or something like that.  There are lot of ideas on non-hormonals to use to lessen the effects of no estrogen.  Good Luck to you on your re-check!

Katiejane

Sherri & Wish,    I think I will probably stick with Replens or something that has no estrogen.  I guess I'm just scared to death of reoccurrence.  I guess if it comes down to a choice of being able to have intercourse or staying cancer free, well I'd take cancer free anyday!!!

Thanks for all of your input!   katiejane