Should I follow doctor's orders?

gandl
gandl Member Posts: 88
edited June 2014 in ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)

Hi fellow ILC survivors,  As we start this new year I am feeling like I would like to just put this all behind me.  My ILC was small even though there were six invasive lesions.  It was grade one.  I had a bilateral mastectomy.  So do I really need to follow up?  It seems unlikely that it would recurr. I didn't have to have chemo or radiation.  My oncologist gave me the impression that it was pretty insignificant.  The times I have seen her she just "palpates" me and asks if I have anything to tell her.  She barely speaks to me, and I get the impression that I am pretty much wasting her time.  The last time I saw her in August she made a note that I had TAH/BSO for complex endometrial hyperplasia with atypia.  I had my ovaries out, so my er/pr+  ILC should have very little to stimulate it.  My follow-up appointment with her is in Feb.

I have a follow-up with my gyn in March.  I don't have a uterus or ovaries amymore, so do I really need to see him?

The other thing I would like to not do is a follow-up CAT scan of my liver.  I had an MRI of my back because of sciatic symptoms.  My back was OK but they saw a 5cm lesion in my liver.  They did a Cat scan, and it turned out to be a cavernous hemangioma, which is nothing to worry about.  They also saw a 9mm lesion which that could not identify.  It is probably an atypical hemangioma, but they recommended a repeat CT in three months to make sure it is not changing.  I'm really just tired of doing all this.

I will be paying the hospital for a couple of years for this year's surgeries.  I don't want to start over  on my $2000 deductible for 2009.  The CT will be a $500 co-pay.  I'd like to just ignore everything until I have symptoms.  Do you think this is an OK plan?  opinions please.  Thanks. 

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Comments

  • nosurrender
    nosurrender Member Posts: 2,019
    edited December 2008

    Hi, you should definitely follow up and always  get checked.

    Cancer is sneaky and if we stay two steps ahead of it, the Beast can't get a foothold.

    I am big believer in early detection no matter what stage we are.

    I hate those hospital pay out plans. 

     If you get solid baseline scans then you can let things go until you have symptoms.

    So you have had a CT and an MRI.

    I have had a PET/CT, Bone Scan, and Abdominal/Pelvic CT. Now, if anything feels wrong they have something to measure it against.

    Good luck to you!

    hugs,

    g

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  • saint
    saint Member Posts: 1,877
    edited January 2009

    Gandi---only YOU can decide what is right for you, but I understand both sides of this dilemma! On the one hand you don't want to live with the constant stress of expenses, scans & tests. That is understandable....BUT.....living with mets sux & I agree with nosurrender: the sooner found, the sooner treated. Traditional Oncology holds that it makes no difference when a met site is found (early/on a scan or later/because of symptoms) & your prognosis is ultimately the same. Personally I don't agree. You have some questionable history with those scans that would naturally suggest follow up. I say stay ahead of the game & have those follow ups.

    BTW-my bills will NEVER be paid in full even if I live to be 100 & go back to work! I do not worry about it as debt is NOT inheritable! Just keep paying them an agreed monthly payment & they should leave you alone.

    In the end it is all a crap shoot & you have to choose the path that is right for YOU! Good luck, be well & stay strong.

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