Saying goodbye to your BC team after 5 years?

coraleliz

http://health.yahoo.net/experts/breastcancer/attention-all-breast-cancer-survivors

I found this. Not sure how I feel about the idea. I've completed 2 years of Tamoxifen & have 3 to go. That's if I don't decide to stay on it for 5 additional years. I would like to cut my MO visits to once a year(currently every 6months). Talking about my side efeects just isn't helpful & certainly doesn't make them go away. My hope is to eliminate my MO appts after my need for antihormonals ends.

I really like my BS. She's very thorough & seems to be on top of her game. She told me she'd see me every 6 months for awhile & then go to every year(forever, I thought).

My PCP seems afraid to look at my surgically altered(BMX without recon) chest. I don't have a GYN. Just can't find one I like.

At some point, all of the above will move on or retire.

Perhaps at 5yrs, I'll be ready.

momand2kids

I often think about this--- I am just about 5 years out-- treated at Dana Farber and am taking up resources that I probably don't need.....

MelissaDallas

I just thought about this today. I'll be glad to see my gyn onc team next month. I just graduated from quarterly to semiannual checks so haven't seen them in a while. I thought, after this one I'll just have 5 more checks until my five years is up and I think I will feel a little anxiety when we are "done". With the current recommendations on paps & hysterectomies I don't even know if I will be followed by a regular gynecologist...

coraleliz

One of the thoughts I have is that if they find a reoccurence in these 1st 5years, it was probably there all along. Not really a reoccurence. If my cancer reoccurs it will most likely be 10+ years out. Who's going to find it? I also figured out how many more MO appts, I'll have. If I continue to go every 6 months=5. But I could stop at 4 because I'll have enough Tamoxifen prescribed to complete 5 years.

edwards750

My BS decided I would be having mammograms on an annual schedule starting 2014. My last mammogram was in April. I will be 3 years out from my DX in January 2014. My ONC was surprised that he was going to a yearly schedule and not continuing every 6 months. My Ob-Gyn knows my BS and he said he is very thorough so if he thinks I can go to yearly exams then I should feel okay with his decision. He is one of 2 best in Memphis. I dont know if my ONC will want me to continue taking tamoxifen after 5 years or not. Will cross that bridge when I come to it. For now just dealing with the SEs. Diane

maltomlin

It's strange feeling for sure.

Yes, you want to be free from all the appointments etc but........it's also....like a comfort blanket!

It's great to be finished, but it's also sad in a way. The appointments are a security blanket, and you feel a bit lost without it.

But onward and upward.......the goal is there. I'm here without the security blanket and all is well.

Mal