Should I follow doctor's orders?

gandl

Hi fellow ILC survivors,  As we start this new year I am feeling like I would like to just put this all behind me.  My ILC was small even though there were six invasive lesions.  It was grade one.  I had a bilateral mastectomy.  So do I really need to follow up?  It seems unlikely that it would recurr. I didn't have to have chemo or radiation.  My oncologist gave me the impression that it was pretty insignificant.  The times I have seen her she just "palpates" me and asks if I have anything to tell her.  She barely speaks to me, and I get the impression that I am pretty much wasting her time.  The last time I saw her in August she made a note that I had TAH/BSO for complex endometrial hyperplasia with atypia.  I had my ovaries out, so my er/pr+  ILC should have very little to stimulate it.  My follow-up appointment with her is in Feb.

I have a follow-up with my gyn in March.  I don't have a uterus or ovaries amymore, so do I really need to see him?

The other thing I would like to not do is a follow-up CAT scan of my liver.  I had an MRI of my back because of sciatic symptoms.  My back was OK but they saw a 5cm lesion in my liver.  They did a Cat scan, and it turned out to be a cavernous hemangioma, which is nothing to worry about.  They also saw a 9mm lesion which that could not identify.  It is probably an atypical hemangioma, but they recommended a repeat CT in three months to make sure it is not changing.  I'm really just tired of doing all this.

I will be paying the hospital for a couple of years for this year's surgeries.  I don't want to start over  on my $2000 deductible for 2009.  The CT will be a $500 co-pay.  I'd like to just ignore everything until I have symptoms.  Do you think this is an OK plan?  opinions please.  Thanks. 

nosurrender

Hi, you should definitely follow up and always  get checked.

Cancer is sneaky and if we stay two steps ahead of it, the Beast can't get a foothold.

I am big believer in early detection no matter what stage we are.

I hate those hospital pay out plans. 

 If you get solid baseline scans then you can let things go until you have symptoms.

So you have had a CT and an MRI.

I have had a PET/CT, Bone Scan, and Abdominal/Pelvic CT. Now, if anything feels wrong they have something to measure it against.

Good luck to you!

hugs,

g

saint

Gandi---only YOU can decide what is right for you, but I understand both sides of this dilemma! On the one hand you don't want to live with the constant stress of expenses, scans & tests. That is understandable....BUT.....living with mets sux & I agree with nosurrender: the sooner found, the sooner treated. Traditional Oncology holds that it makes no difference when a met site is found (early/on a scan or later/because of symptoms) & your prognosis is ultimately the same. Personally I don't agree. You have some questionable history with those scans that would naturally suggest follow up. I say stay ahead of the game & have those follow ups.

BTW-my bills will NEVER be paid in full even if I live to be 100 & go back to work! I do not worry about it as debt is NOT inheritable! Just keep paying them an agreed monthly payment & they should leave you alone.

In the end it is all a crap shoot & you have to choose the path that is right for YOU! Good luck, be well & stay strong.