Just who do I see??

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mari65
mari65 Member Posts: 131
edited June 2014 in Stage I Breast Cancer

Need help here, Had mammo first part of February at local pcp office found something wrong and ref me to Mayo clinic in Rockchester. Had lump removed in Feb IDC Stage 1 Grade 2 0/2 SLN. After surgery met with rads and medical onco and was told I need rads and tamox. With Mayo clinic 7 hours away from home decided to have rads closer to home 1 1/2 hours away. Anyway now that I'm done with rads. I feel so dumb with not knowing which docs to set a visit up with. I now I have to see rads onco in a couple weeks for check-up. I was able to have the med onco from Mayo send a script for Tamox. What docs am I supposed to see for check-ups. Please help.. 

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  • j414
    j414 Member Posts: 321
    edited June 2010

    Mari - I sent you a PM.

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  • pj12
    pj12 Member Posts: 25,402
    edited June 2010

    I had lumpectomy, radiation x 36 and now Arimidex. For the first year 1. I did not see my surgeon unless I wanted to.... I didn't; 2. I saw my radiologist every six months and had 2 mammograms; 3. I saw my oncologist every 3 months... she ordered blood work + CA 15-3 first 2 visits, not 3rd or 4th and rx'd Arimidex..asked how I was, etc.  Now I am not seeing radiologist but will have mammos every 6  months and see onc every 6 months. Honestly, my PCP could have done all of this for me, much cheaper. I hope to revert to him next year.

    Good luck!

    pam 

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  • hymil
    hymil Member Posts: 826
    edited June 2010

    Mari, please don't beat yourself up for not knowing which doctor to see - it's not like you get cancer every three months and just go to your regular! This whole horrid business is a learning process and everyone is a beginner some time. All the best in your choices, we are here to help each other.

    Sounds like you need someone to prescribe the tamoxifen for you and someone to keep an eye as a regular check up. How it works in the UK is, the onc or the surgeon can start the prescription then the local family doctor can repeat, follow-ups appointments alternate between surgeon and onc with routine mammos, spreading out to five years then you just get dropped but the family doctor can fast track you back in if she thinks there's any new problems. Is that how it goes where you are?

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  • mari65
    mari65 Member Posts: 131
    edited June 2010

    Thank you all for the information.

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  • kayakgirl
    kayakgirl Member Posts: 172
    edited June 2010

    I just had my 2 year anniversery of my breast cancer dx. I was seeing my breast surgeon every three months and she just increased it to every six months, and my medical oncoligist every six months so I see someone every 3 months for now.. My breast surgeon is local and is a great resource if I have a problem or a question. My medical oncologist is downtown at a big medical center. He is fantastic  when I see him but it's hard to call and get questions answered when I call his clinic.

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  • terrina
    terrina Member Posts: 12
    edited July 2010

    I had my surgery and Chemo in New Orleans but my Rads in Slidell.  I went to my Chemo doctor every six months for the first year then he told me he only needed to see me yearly and if I saw my other Oncs before then he didn't need to see me.  Confused?  I was.

    Fast forward, I get a nasty-o-gram from Chemo Dr. why havent you come in?  Well, daahhh, you said don't bother coming in if I saw another Onc Dr.  So, I see my PCP for most stuff which is WRONG!!! if you are a Chemo survivor.  See your CHEMO DR! 

    My fatigue to my PCP was becuase of my work schedule.  My cough was perhaps the cold going around.  My swollen legs, water retention.  My not sleeping through the night and having to sleep on 5 pillows, take Ambien CR.  These same symptoms to my Chemo Dr. = Cario Embalism.  I could have died! 

    Please see your Chemo Doctor.  Write down ALL your symtoms, questions, concerns, and present them in writing to him.  It is the only way to keep you healthy!

    Good luck and much love!

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited July 2010

    Talk to your radiation oncologist when you see him next and explain your situation and ask him. Can you just work through him? If you need to see a medical oncologist (and they probably will want you to), do you still want to have to travel 7 hours (for what turns out to be about a 10 minute appointment if things continue to go well)? If the answer is no, could you see a medical oncologist at the same clinic as your rads. guy? (The answer to that should be 'yes', so then either ask the rads guy, or the nurses, or the desk people how you go about doing that. I, myself, like to get my appointments as close to home as possible, just makes it all easier for me with one less thing to deal with. Best of luck! Ruth

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