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amlg1
amlg1 Member Posts: 596
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Today was my last Rad,thought it would never end.Now all I have left is herceptin until August.What happens after all of this is over? How do I know if all the chemo,rads worked.My Dr. told me they watch my blood work,or if I have a symptom.I thought I would be getting scans.

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  • o2bhealthy
    o2bhealthy Member Posts: 2,101
    edited December 2009

    My Onc said the same thing...watch blood work and symptoms...It scares me but I am going to hold my tongue until I am completely done with TX (Herceptin until Aug 2010) and then I'll start making a fuss.  

    Congrat's on finishing rads!!!! I was too chicken to do the rads and since I was in the gray area (clean but one thin margin) I am also stage 1...are you on Herceptin too?  Maybe that is the reason for no scans right now...

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  • Gitane
    Gitane Member Posts: 1,885
    edited December 2009

    That's something that takes a while to adjust to after chemo/rads; they kind of cut us loose and we go, "Wait,  now how to make sure it's gone???"  Answer:  "Well......"

    For me they do exactly what you have described.  They do blood work, physical exam, and of course watch for symptoms.  I didn't get scans at all, and frankly, I'm just as glad not to get them.  However, some people ask for them if they have unusual symptoms that last more than 2 weeks and oncologists are usually pretty good about doing scans then.

    Once you've finished your Herceptin there may be no more treatment for you.  Some of us are getting Zometa infusions every 6 months.  You might ask about that.

    Congratulations on being done with the major stuff.  That has to feel good at least, even if we can't make the worry go away.  This has been a very long road.  Lots of love, Amig.  I'm happy for you. 

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  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited December 2009

    My onc follows me every 3 months.....he does a physical, good history at each appt as well as blodd work which are tumor markers, cbc and complete metabolic panel. Bone density annually.   No scans unless I am symptomatic.

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  • AzKim
    AzKim Member Posts: 124
    edited December 2009

    Congratulations Anna!! You did it!!Laughing "HIGH 5"!

    ((Hugs))

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  • Bugs
    Bugs Member Posts: 1,719
    edited December 2009

    Anna, you did it!  Take some time to celebrate the fact that you just went through a war and came out on the other side.  The adjustment from going to the dr so frequently to a 3 month schedule can be a difficult one.  Be kind to yourself.

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited December 2009

    Way to go Anna!! Try and do something nice for yourself to celebrate coming through what you have.

     I think as the others have said, it takes a while to adjust to being "done". But, you will find yourself feeling better every day, and getting back into your life. That three month Onc visit will roll around all too fast!

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited December 2009

    congratulations..  hope all goes well from here on out

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  • Pure
    Pure Member Posts: 1,796
    edited December 2009

    What do you do now? Party-travel-live:) Until someone tells you something other your clean. Live like it's never coming back.

    Congrats!!!!

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  • amlg1
    amlg1 Member Posts: 596
    edited December 2009

    Thank You all for all your good wishes...OH..I already planned a cruise for January..can't wait to go and forget this for a while.

    I can see how it could be scary not to see a DR.every 2 weeks,when my onco said she will see me in 6 weeks,I had to adjust to that.

    (((HUGS)))

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  • lkc
    lkc Member Posts: 1,203
    edited December 2009

    Congrats Anna, You're done with the hardest tx.

    You'll get used to not being such a frequent patient.

    It truly gets better with time, and the anxiety lessens.

    Enjoy your holiday!

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  • kimf
    kimf Member Posts: 334
    edited December 2009

    Congrats Anna! My Onc says the same as everyone else...she feels all chemo/rads/herceptin worked unless you exhibit symptoms or tumor markers rise from visit to visit. The after treatment period was hard for many of us since we felt that we were actively fighting the disease. It is hard to just live again...but with time I became so happy to not have to travel to the hospital every week or two or three. Then it went from 3 month visits to 4 months then to 6 months and I am super happy not to have to go more frequently. You will get there. Believe in yourself and the tx you received! It really does work. Best wishes,

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  • NancyD
    NancyD Member Posts: 3,562
    edited December 2009

    I see my onc every three months for bloodwork. I had a scan @ 1 year post chemo, but that was mainly because I'm planning a bilateral reconstruction soon and wanted to know things were clear. If it wasn't clear, I planned to use the $$ for something else on my bucket list, lol.

    From here on it will just be bloodwork unless there are symptoms...but that could include increases in my tumor markers.

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  • amlg1
    amlg1 Member Posts: 596
    edited December 2009

    Nancy..I see you live in NYC..Did you go to Sloan ?I had my surgery there,and tx on LI.

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  • everyminute
    everyminute Member Posts: 1,805
    edited December 2009

    I had my surgery at Sloan in NYC and my friend is childhood friends with one of the oncs in LI (Tiffany) and I have another friend who sees Sugarman in  LI.   

    It is amazing how quickly those 3 month appts come up!  I dont have scans but do have tumor markers run every 3 months.  I usually am ok for about 6 weeks then spend the next 6 weeks worrying about the next appt!  That is better than my first appt which I worried about for the whole 3 months.  I will feel like I have made progress if I can limit my worrying to a couple of weeks :-)

    I had an appt on 12/15 that I had to cancel, my dad passed away so I rescheduled for after the holidays 1/5 - I am worried but am able to compartmentalize it and only take it out at times (usually when I should be sleeping - like now!)

    Congrats on finishing!  Do something nice for yourself :-)

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  • maryannecb
    maryannecb Member Posts: 1,453
    edited December 2009

    Finishing treatment was hard for me too. I felt like the rest was up to fate...and being a control freak didnt much like that prospect.

    But it is nice to be out of the cancer center for long periods.You will even start to get hours where BC doesn't dominate your thinking.

    I am on a bisphosphonate for the last year, first Actonel then when I was approved Zometa. It is showing promise as a drug class which prolongs disease free survival(my favourite sate). The recent San Antonio conference had some presentations on it.

    Although I have no scheduled scans...anytime I have had a symptom my team has been quick to check it out.

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited December 2009

    I was just thinking how fast those jolly appointments roll around too! I have my next visit 12/1 - it seemed years away when I made the appointment. I always feel awful a few weeks before, but surprisingly I do enjoy seeing my Dr, and always feel better afterwards. I am expecting the "phantom" pains to start any day now.....

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  • amlg1
    amlg1 Member Posts: 596
    edited December 2009

    Everyminute..so sorry about your Dad,what a tough time of year to loose a loved one.i go to a woman in Sloan LI,I did want sugarman at first,but I would have had to wait to long for an appt.I love my onco so much.

    I feel wierd not having to go to Dr. this week.Guess I will get used to it.

    Take care all:)

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