Finally graduated to 6 month visits!!!

karen1956

I saw my onc today for 3 month check up..I graduated to 6 month visits....I wondered if/when that would ever happen....as he was filling out the paperwork for my next appt, onc looked through my file and said Feb 2006, then he goes come back in 6 months.....Onc said I looked good and all was good with the exam and he expected my blood work to also come back good.....I'll get the results in the mail next week.  Needless to say, I am happy about less frequent visits...Wonder if I should start seeing my BS surgeon again....move her appt to in between one of the onc appt....I skipped my visit last year and haven't scheduled and appt for this year...seemed silly to see both within weeks of each other.....

I stopped taking AI's in March 2010 after enduring them for 3 1/2 years.  At the end of my visit, my onc said  to let him know if I ever wanted to try an AI (or tamox) again...I told him I doubted I would, but if I did, how long would I have to take it....{he says that your not covered when not taking it (duh!!)}...but his answer was get this 5 years!!!!! and possibly 10!!!!  Forget the number of the study, but onc said I think 4000 women  were enrolled...the study is now closed and it will take several years to have the definitive results....but the thinking is leaning to 10 years!!!!!   I made a comment about another 5 years and at least he said, if having problems stop....thats when I said, I endured 3 1/2 years....and onc agreed with that comment.....So he will continue to watch me closely.....and at this point in time have no desire to take AI's....And since I no longer take AI's, I only need to  have a BMD every 2 years and my PCP is the one to schedule it...when I was on AI's onc referred me for the BMD's......Finally, I can begin to feel like my aches and pains are associated with age and not all due to BC!!!!

KerryMac

Karen, i am thrilled for you!

So happy you are doing well. 

DCMom

Karen-

I was just one appointment ahead of you on going to 6 mos and I loved taking a break from doctors appointments. It really helped my mental game to not have to go in (PTSD with appointments and all).  I'm so thrilled that you are doing so well!

Char2010

Karen, Congratulations on reaching such a huge milestone.  I am just getting started.

diana50

moving into 6 month appts is a milestone.  it feels like the cancer isn't running your life* i am happy for you that you are doing well**

clariceak

What a wonderful milestone to reach! 

A little off topic - why do you have to continue seeing your breast surgeon?  My bs wanted me to come back but I couldn't think of a good reason to go, so I didn't.

karen1956

Clarice.....not sure why see the BS...I guess to check for recurrence....at 2 years, I went to annual visits, but since I was seeing onc every 3 months, last year I decided not to see her....my onc does a thorough exam....but I know he sends her a report....I'm just so tired of it all....evenn thought about skippng the onc...now that would really be moving on!!!! 

Sherri...when I was on AI's I got BMD annually and onc ordered it...but protocol for "normal" women is every other year.....for me the less tests the better!!! 

jenn3

Congrat!!!! Yipeeeeee - what a big step, next will be the one year appts.

Bugs

Awesome, my sistah!

imbell

AnacortesGirl

Congratulations!  I read this post and I envision the copy of the onc's report with a gold star on top.  It would be great to go visit the onc and have him say those words! 

lkc

congratulations Karen, It is a big milestone.

NancyD

So happy for you!  I'm at every-four-months (did anyone else's onc do that?) for another vist or two, and then he said we'd go to every six months. Weaning me off his support, I guess.

I stopped my visits with my bs when they went to every year. I, too, couldn't see the point. I had DIEP recons that he wasn't involved in, so he probably wouldn't know what he was feeling. And I'm finished with the ps...so it's just my onc now.

gillyone

BMD? Excuse my ignorance!

SusieMTN

karen1956 :  How wonderful is that graduating to every 6 months! 

 gillyone - LOL I had to google it, so I didn't know either!  "Bone Mineral Density"

alaskalady

Congrats Karen!  I have too will graduate to 6 months check-ups after my 3 month one in April.  Lets do the happy dance together!

joan888

I am just a year out from DX and see my ONC every three months.  Seems that you all had to wait about 3 years to graduate to 6 months.  Do I have that right?  My BS wants to see me every 6 months, my RadONC wants to see me every six months.  Then my GP sees me every 6 months because of my blood pressure medication.  Then the GYN every year.  Having my exchange surgery this Wednesday... so more follow-ups to come there.  Geesh!  Anybody else???  I was really hoping that my ONC would go to six months soon, but maybe not?

kimber3006

Hooray!!  I'm still getting used to 3 months - six must feel wonderful!

Pure

I was put on 6 months from the beginning. I felt like that was really weird. She said to call her if I had any issues or pain but felt 6 months was fine? Humm!

Octobergirl

Congratulations Karen!

I've been seen every six months from the beginning too.  My onc suggested I  alternate the 6 mth. appt. with the bs.but  I was not comfortable with seeing the med. onc. only 1x / yr. Frankly, I have doubts about the quality of my followup.

ktn

I also am just starting 6 months. I went 3 months for the first 2 years then 4 months....i was nervous to jump to 6! But at the last appt I had a hard time in the waiting room with so many sick people and it really made me sad. This July will be my first 6 month appt and will be 3 years since my surgery. My BS told me to see him if i needed him after the one year appt but I don't need to keep following up. I saw the radiation onc after one and two years but don't have to go back again. I will be seeing the PS in a few weeks for a one year checkup because I have some scar tissue by one incision and want to get it checked out. So many appointments the first years......it feels so good to have less and less!