Post Treatment Follow-up After BMX?

JulieMI

Post Treatment Follow-up After BMX?

JulieMI

I just went to see my Breat Onc after finishing chemo for 5 months.  I had a UMX on the left.  Since I got a scare during the last mammo (2 spots on the right side turn out to be benigh), I decided to have the right side removed in Sept.  I choose September because I need more time to recover from chemo.  My diagnose was IDC Stage 1b or stage 2a (1 micromat sentenal node).  The Onc told me since I will have the right side removed also.  From now on, the only follow up is a hands on exam every 6 months. 

I am not happy about it at all.  I am considering changing doctors.  Am I over reacting?  What is your follow-up if you are in similar condition?  Please share.

mepic

Hi Julie I am stage 1b 0/3 nodes er/pr+, her-. I am waiting for oncotypedx results but I have already been told I should not need chemo. At first I was told I probably wouldn't even be asked to do Tamoxifen but then they said it was "standard of care" but adjuvant online results for me came back at Tamoxifen only helping me reduce my risk of reoccurrence by 4%. I turn 48 in June. Unless my oncotypedx score comes back unexpectedly high I will do DIM and iodine protocol to avoid the side effects of Tamoxifen. I had a bilateral masectomy to kick it to the curb. I put the risk of reoccurrence in God's hand who I trust. I have not been convinced to trust Tamoxifen for my specific battle.

Racy

Julie, what other follow up are you seeking? Six monthly onc follow up is standard for the first three years and you can use these appointments to discuss any issues of concern.



Since you had a BMX, I understand you will no longer have mammos but I am sure your onc is qualified to examine you thoroughly.



Are you taking hormone therapy?



If you want more frequent follow ups, your primary doctor and gynaecologist also can be scheduled into your routine.



You should discuss with the onc your specific concerns and how they can be managed. Such as: if you experience worrying symptoms between apointments, what does he want you to do?

nagem

Six months is fairly standard. During your checkup, you'll probably get bloodwork as well as a patdown. Doing it more frequently wouldn't be helpful. It's very hard to let go of the security of constant attention, but there's probably no medical reason to see the oncologist more often. Don't forget the two-week rule. Between visits, if you have a symptom write down when it appears, and if it persists for more than two weeks, call you doctor and get it checked out. Best wishes, Megan

JulieMI

mepic, Racy and Nagem,

Thank you for posting.  So it looks like patdown every 6 months is the standard follow-up then.  Since this seems the case, then I am not going to complain and look for a new Oncologist.

I am on Tamoxifen and Effexor.  My hot flash is mild, other side effects are tolerable.  I am 48, so doc told me I might have to take it for 10 years.  So be it if it keeps the BC away.

Julie

rk85

Julie, I am in MI too and my onc said the same thing.  Now that my reconstruction is done (fat grafting) I asked for an MRI so we have a baseline to compare to if something starts growing, but he refused.  He said doing an MRI would just lead to unnecessary testing because no one will know the difference between normal and abnormal given my reconstruction. 

So I'll just go along with the plan and hope the pat down does the job if something does come back.  The only problem is the recon leaves its own harmless lumps and bumps so I have to somehow get to know the good from the bad!  I guess there's only so much you can do, then you just hope for the best.   

ek25

Funny, I had something of the same question.  I guess we all do at some point.  I had a bi-lateral mastectomy in December with immediate reconstruction.  I had my exchange surgery last month and had written my surgeon to find out what the ongoing follow up protocol for care is.  I knew I didn't need mammograms, but wondered about MRI's.  I've read so often on this site and others about having recurrences at the scar site of a mastectomy.  Who finds that?  

I have to say, I'm not sure I'd be the best person to find a lump at a scar site.  I do scar massage, but generally don't touch my breasts frequently the way I guess I used to before the mastectomy because of the weirdness the numb sensation presents.  Still not completely used to it so I just stay away.  

It does feel odd to feel like a sitting duck.  Now that we've had the mastectomy, I guess we're just waiting for symptoms of metastasis.  I'm hoping that never comes - for ALL of us.