What did you Oncologist tell you on last chemo?

jnprsn

Hi Ladies,

Just curious as to what your Oncologist told you on the last day of treatment? Eg., When does the port come out?, Where do you go from here, etc.?

KBeee

My last one was a week ago. He told me to take Tamoxifen in 2 weeks, and then told me to come back in a month for a blood draw and check up. I did kind of expect a little more direction, but I do not know what normal procedures are. I did not have a port.

Morwenna

I saw my onc shortly after my last chemo and asked whether the port could come out, or if not, what the maintenance regime would be.

She just said "oh yes, I think that can come out. I'll arrange that for you."

I was supposed to see her for a follow up 3 weeks later, but her assistant walked in, examined me, and told me, "OK well that's your last appointment here. "(Your oncologist) will see you again in six months, Goodbye!"

I was fairly surprised, but I was just starting rads, so I gathered my rad onc would follow me for the next while. I also had follow ups with my BS, so I didn't feel TOO neglected, but I was left feeling a little confused as to who was "in charge of me" from that point. My rad onc nurse was supposed to follow up in 3 months, but I called and left a message today that that time had passed and I had never got an appointment!

I felt that one physician who knew all the details of my case should have an overall responsibility for me. Not my GP as he didn't really seem to know much about anything, bless him!

So I see a physician at Breast Cancer Supportive Care (a charitably run foundation in Calgary), and she has been fabulous, helping and supporting me in my recovery and return to work etc!

I'm still not certain what follow ups I am getting as I'm on a clinical trial, but I have a MUGA heart scan in January. I'm also booked for a CT chest to re-examine a lung nodule found on the first CT, but I was the prime mover on that!!

candi07

I had my last chemo today, my MO told me once I get my rads schedule to call her because she wants to see me 2 weeks after I finish rads. She also sent a request for me to get my port out 2 weeks post chemo treatment. I believe there will be a schedule for me to see my MO regularly.

badger

hi jnprsn, I had six rounds of TC chemo every three weeks but didn't have a port.  The day of final infusion, onc scheduled a follow-up appt for three weeks out, at which time he ordered a blood draw and did a physical exam.  Labs looked good so he started me on tamox and scheduled another appt for four months out.  That appt went well so now I see him every six months.  I get blood drawn every other time so labs just once a year.  No scans of any kind. 

I see my primary care doc once a year for annual exam and labwork to refill thyroid med.  Unfortunately, the day of the old-fashioned family doc are over and you have to be your own care coordinator.  Best wishes!

Morwenna

Badger, did you have thyroid issues before bc?

I'm about to be investigated for thyroid function as I'm having persistent muscle twitches mostly (98%) in my right thigh. I'm a little anxious!!

badger

Morwenna, yes by 20 years.  Was dx with hyperactive thyroid in 1990 and BC dx was in 2009.

I get weird muscle twitches too and didn't know it was related to thyroid.  Will check it out, thx!