End of treatment - what now?

jazzydog2

Brief history:  diagnosed stage IIb in 2004 - l node positive, 1.6 cm tumour, lumpectomy, chemo, rads, 2 years on tamoxifen, 2 years and 1 to go on Aromasin.

 I had my annual onc appointment last week and she handed me a year's worth of prescription for Aromasin and basically said goodbye - that she doesn't need to see me again - she hopes.  Now I guess this is the way it goes but I fear recurrence as we all do, and now I don't see how it will be detected.  Many on the recurrence thread say they had no pain and that the mets was caught on routine scans or bloodwork.  I won't have access to these anymore and I'm worried.  Anyone have any advice for me - I know I should be happy to close the chapter but i can't quite put the book down!!

konakat

I'm surprised that your onc doesn't want to follow up every year.  If she isn't going to do that I'd go to your primary care doc. She should be checking you once a year to see how you're doing.

Hattie

You are so well spoken!  We should feel glad but what a slippery slope to be left on.

for me, it took practice, to say "I am well.  I am well.  I am well now, and that is enough."

I had to learn to embrace life again, and trust my body, and trust myself, and go to docs if needed.  

It was  not easy, but  i finally learned to go with the now and being healthy, instead of letting cancer fears take my hard-won life from me.  

 One step at a time.  Have faith, ask if you have worries, know that treatments can work.

 Take care,

--Hattie (fours years and more away from stage 3) 

KerryMac

I see you are in Canada (me too), and my Onc said that after 5 years, if I am no longer on hormonals, my care will transfer to my Family Dr. She said that studies show no difference in survival whether you are under the care of an Onc, or your family Dr. She said I could be referred back if there were any issues. I would make an appt with your family Dr to discuss your concerns - she can still probably order scans or bloodwork if you feel you want that safety net. But as far as I know, in Ontario, this is the standard of care.

Brenda_R

After my last herceptin treatment, my onc scheduled me for a 6 month follow up. Then at that appointment they didn't schedule me at all and I had to call for a new 6 month appointment.  I ended up canceling that one because I was getting a new onc in 1 month and just thought I'd start new. She's scheduling me for 3 month follow ups. It's just a difference in Oncs protocol.