Questions for onc at 1st follow-up?

Ask about Zometa if you haven't had it as well as the tamoxofin metabolizing test.

Charmaine - Ask him what you should watch out for?  I have not had that question answered properly yet...  Ask for your vitamin D level to be tested if you haven't yet.  Good Luck.

Hi Pure - glad to see you posting some more.  Missed you.

the rib and sterum pain may just be from rads. remember, even though the rads beam is within tatoo marks; the radiation still filters through to your bones in the general area.

questions to ask:

1. will your onc use tumor markers? if so, which ones and within how many months apart

2. which tests will he use every 3 months...why...and when will you switch to every 6 month appts

3. how does your oncologist feel about scans? which ones , how often.? ie..PET (some get one 1x a year..others only when something is a concern) same with bone scan...1x ayear or only when a concern

4. how fast can you get in for an appointment if you need to come in before next scheduled appt? how long do you wait before contacting if you are concerned about something?  the 2 week rule..or 4 week rule?

5. Ask for the Vit D test; very important to find out your level in your body.

6. how to coordinate with other physicans? surgeon, rads oncologist...primary care doc.

that is all i can think of right now. hang in there

diana50

Hi Charmd,

Just wanted to let you know that I had a bi-lateral, chemo, and radiation like you. This was a year ago and  I still hurt occasionally from all that torture. I do remember my ribs hurting on occasion but it turned out to be nothing. I have to take Femara now which makes me ache all over. I am not sure if Tamoxifen does the same thing. Hope this helps.

You're ahead of me - I have that three month follow up appointment in two weeks. I always bring a list of questions because once I walk into that room my mind goes blank and without the list I'd be lost. In addition to the wonderful suggestions already given here I'm going to ask my onc what she thinks of ovarian suppression (either shots or removal). Also, I feel like I am so hyperaware of my body since diagnosis - every ache or pain sends my blood pressure through the roof - I'm going to ask her at what point does an ache or pain need checking between appointments. 

Good luck today - I am sure all will be fine. Let us know how you get on.

Oh, I am so sorry. I can totally imagine how you are feeling. Hang in there though - I am sure they are just being overly cautious.

I hope they can get these procedures done as quickly as possible, so you don't spend too much time worrying.

Keep us posted.

Charmaine, I finished my rads in Ocotber 2008, and I still have a little area that peels. Not really a blister, but just an area that is a bit pink and has a peeling edge. If you have active blisters that are still developing, I can see that might be some concern for the docs.

I had a CT/PET scan when I had finished chemo for a year in August 2009. I still see my onc every three months, and my bs every six months. My onc does bloodwork but I don't think he ever did a Vitamin D test, because I just had a bunch of tests in prep for my recon surgery at the end of the month, and my PCP told me I was D deficient. I'm now taking 2000 IU a day.

Since I was post-menopause, I went right on an AI (Arimidex), so there was no talk of Tamoxifen or a Tamox-metabolizing test. But I just had a bone scan because I've been on Arimidex for 15 months, and they're cheching to see if there's been any degeneration. If so, I will be on something else to combat that ...Zometa, or maybe just one of the oral meds. If you've never had a bone scan, I would suggest you have a baseline one done so they can compare as you go further along in your treatment.

rib pain too.

i still have it occasionally.  (ouch)

Me, too, seven years later. The whole area, ribs, sternum etc. underneath my mastectomy and to the side are very tender. Especially have discomfort by evening and have to remove my bra and rub the area, seems to help. I was concerned a while ago and had a bone scan because I was sure it was rib mets, but my onc didn't think so. Did the bone scan to humor me. The soreness actually comes from the spaces between my ribs, and that soreness has a name which I forget.

It's apparently very common to have this soreness which comes from rads and surgeries.

Nancy...did you have a bone density or bone scan.....bone density is what checks for osteoporosis/bone loss....I have them annual since starting AI's.  Bone scan is what would check for mets (I think)....I had PET/CT scan at time of Dx, but none since finishing Tx.  My onc does not do any routine scans which is good for me as one less thing to worry about.  If I reach too far, my BC side hurts and it often feels irritated under the impant....I don't wear a bra....only wear cami (no shelf bra either) so there really isn't anything rubbing under the implant.  No rib pain, but chronic cough and sinus stuff....I blame it on the chemo, never thought of blaming the rads!!!! 

Charmaine - I have been thinking about you all week. Glad to hear you are getting things rolling next week. Once your PET shows up clear so you can have some peace of mind.

I am so sorry you are having to deal with this so soon after finishing treatment - you'd think you would get some time just to regroup a bit! Anyhow, just try and distract yourself any way you can until you know something.

charmd,

i am sorry to hear that you are not getting the support you need, my dh is the opposite, i am trying to get back to normal and he thinks even my sinus infection is somthing to be checked out. i have to answer the same questions every day, any new lumps and bumps etc, swear to god, then i have to promise that i have told him everything at every visit. i know he is worried but sometimes i think they can do no right, if he did'nt ask i would think he does not care and when he does it wrecks my head.

fingers crossed that everything you are worried about will be resolved for the better soon and you will get the all clear.