Follow-Up Visit

Anonymous

Hello to everyone here.  I was wondering if a follow-up visit is at six months after lumpectomy.  I chose not to have any further treatments following my lumpectomy back in November.  Also, what tests are given at that visit?

LuvRVing

I've been followed by my breast surgeon (every 3-4 months), and that included a mammogram and ultrasound of the affected breast at 6 months.  My oncologist visits (every 4 months) include tumor marker tests and a complete metabolic panel (labs).

 Follow-ups are important.  My tumor markers increased and then I developed a seroma.  When they drained the seroma, they sent a sample to Cytology and cancer cells were found, quite unexpectedly as there was no sign of anything on the mammo or u/s. 

Please continue to be followed, especially considering your election to have no further treatment.

Michelle

dlb823

mindovermatter ~ I'm a bit surprised that you had no follow up treatment given your stats.  Did you ever meet with an oncologist and have the Oncotype-DX test, or meet with a radiation oncologist?  Assuming you did and possibly refused both chemo and rads, has your breast surgeon not suggested a follow up routine?    Deanna

starbeauty

mindovermatter - I am similar to Michelle - being followed every three months and seen by multiple MDs - just had a MRI.  I agree - these appointments are what is most likely to find anything that might show up after all the interventions are done...  since you indicate you are not doing any other interventions - and I assume that includes hormonal agents... perhaps you might benefit from being followed by an alternative therapeutic physician that would work with you to identify natural supplements that might reduce your chances of getting BC back.  I am a IIB just like you and I was told that I had a 50% chance of getting it back with my stats if I elected no further treatments.  You probably have already found the forum discussing use of alternative methods - if not you may want to take a look at some of those posts.  Gentle hugs to you...

Anonymous

Thanks so much for the information.  I did see an oncologist a few weeks after surgery.  Yes, I am following up with an alternative protocol consisting of diet, exercise and supplements.  I think that going back for routine exams may be hard since I'm feeling perfectly fine and don't want to ruin the good feeling.  I would rather concentrate on knowing that presently I'm cancer-free.  I was lucky to have discovered the cancer, had it removed and now it's gone.  I'm sending those positive vibes to all of you.

thegoodfight

Mindovermatter,

This is my third attempt at a post, my computer not cooperating.  Maybe it is an omen, and I shouldn't comment, but I find I cannot help myself.  As you read this please do not be offended that we seem to be coming on strong with advice.  It is because we have traveled the journey and want to help.

I have similar stats, a 3.5 tumor, grade 3, but no node involvement.  That puts me at stage II A.  I had some choices about treatment, but the very least for me was a lumpectomy followed by radiation.  I had clean margins also.  After more testing and consultations, and second opinions, I decided to be aggressivse.  I did chemo,radiation and now on Arimidex for 5 years.  That was the right decision for me.

Many ladies go the "alternative" route, but I think they still have followup visits and bloodwork every  few  months.   Otherwise how do they know their natural approach is working?   I can't imagine that they just walk away from being monitored.  If only it were as simple as removing it and then being cured, but it isn't.

I think the comment you made that struck me the most was that you didn't want to do follow up because you are feeling so good and you don't want to ruin that.  I am glad are feeling so good, but I do have to remind you that cancer is a silent killer and when you get to a point that you are not feeling well, or have pain, unfortunately it is usually advanced.

I felt great and then one day I found a lump in the shower.  Two days later I was dealing with cancer.  Please do not be afraid of staying informed and knowing all you can know about your progress.  It could save your life. 

I have almost lost this post again, so I am submitting it now.  Please think about what many of us are saying..........................Caren

cary1

What Caren said, so eloquently. All of it. I also don't want to bring offense. I'll admit it. I was shocked at your declaration of no treatment given your stats. I even said, out loud, "you're kidding" after I read it. My understanding is if you have node involvement, it means the "removal" may not mean being cancer free. I had no node involvement, but I was Stage II IDC, grade 3, with vascular activity, and a tumor size that made them push me toward treatment. So I did the lot: surgery, reexcision, chemo, rads, and now tamoxifen.

I totally get what you mean about feeling fine. The irony is of course that it is the treatment that is likely to make someone feel not fine. Cancer is silent as Caren noted, at least until late stages. Feeling fine means absolutely nothing to the cancer cells that may be circulating. I hope you do allow yourself to be monitored often, even if you decide not to rethink the no-treatment option. I'm also sure many would be interested in what natural regimen you are following. Even those of us who have sipped the hemlock of chemo are looking for good ideas in a supplementary approach! I admire your will power to follow a regimen. Best of luck.

Anonymous

Thanks for your input.  It's nice to know that you really care.  Although it scares me to go back, I probably will.  I think you may have given me the push I needed.  I know it's been said before but, I was a person who hardly ever got sick.  And I used to say, "I know for a fact that I'll never get breast cancer."  I never believed in mammograms because I believed that they actually caused breast cancer and now I hear that if the thyroid area is not protected during mammograms and dental x-rays it can cause thyroid cancer.  So, I have to wonder if anyone knows what we're being exposed to.  Now, I'm one of the statistics.  And there remains a big question mark in my head.  I'm not in pain now, but if I do nothing, I will most likely develop pain later.  If I was guaranteed five more good years with no further treatment, I would take it.  I would then be in my late sixties.  Anyhow, you are all very kind and helpful.  Thanks to all!

thegoodfight

Mindovermatter,

I am so glad you took our posts as intended, sending you love and support.  I also now know you and I have more in common.  I was diagnosed almost three years ago at age 63.  It was just six weeks after I became a grandma for the first time.  My first grandson now has a 7 month old baby brother.  My youngest daughter is getting married in June.  I still have a lot of livin' to do!