FOLLOW-UP TESTS AFTER TNBC THERAPY,LIFESTYLE, DIET,EXERCISE

6 month oncologist, yearly radiation oncologist, and am about to be discharged to yearly by my surgeon.  I had a second mastectomy over a year after my first mastectomy and my surgeon was following me every 3 months for that surgery (dcis), but now plans to dicharge me to once a year after my next visit with him.  I plan to stagger my visits so I see someone every 3 or 4 months.  No follow-up scans.  I had scans after my first surgery and before chemo.  I was moved to 6 month follow-ups from 3 month after review of my pathology.  I walk or walk/run at least one hour a day at least 5 days a week (between 3-5 miles) and eat a lower fat diet than before and include more vegetables (broccoli, kale, watercress, spinach).  Try to do things I like to do most of the time.  That's it.

Yes.  I am TNBC with 4/14 lymph nodes positive, so I am watched by a flock of hawks.  At two and a half years out, I get a visit to the oncologist every three months, with blood drawn and processed and tumor markers checked.  A visit to the radiologist every six months.  A visit to the surgeon every six months.  A visit to my primary every three months with more blood and urine tests.  A mammogram every year now that two were clean.  A PET/CT every year.  And a visit every six months with my lymphedema physical therapist so long as I behave myself.

For lifestyle, I eat more veggies and only fresh foods cooked at home, take a vacation of a lifetime every year, work on dropping the "freshman fifteen" that happens when you don't drop weight in a minute anymore by what I call being "sleeping on the bathroom floor sick," and I generally try to move around more now that I can.  I still have trouble sleeping, but that's getting better over time now that I don't expect I should stay up as long as I can just in case I die tonight.

Almost forgot.  All looks good so far, which is just wonderful.  Far better than predicted. 

I had a PET/CT a year ago when I fractured a rib and could not say how that had happened.

In fact, I was sent for a bone scan, was called back for x-rays that afternoon, then sent for the PET/CT.  It all showed a problem with that rib that was too close to the lung to safely biopsy, so I was sent to a thoracic surgeon who would cut it out and be around if the lung collapsed.  That chunk of rib, I mean.  I spent a day or two prepping for surgery with all the people I had to see.  I checked into the hospital at an ungodly early hour, and was taken to radiology to pinpoint the spot to be cut and was then to be wheeled into surgery.  Then everything took a different turn.

The CAT that was supposed to pinpoint the surgical area showed a healing fracture.  I got a half dozen biopsies, and was declared cancer free and free to go inside an hour.  I hadn't slept in weeks, so I was more low key than I might have been, but it was really good. 

Now I get annual infusions to prevent/reverse osteoporosis.  And just to see, I get an annual PET/CT scan.  No Breast MRI.     

Lifestyle change, vitamins and I listen to my body more now. What else can I do (shoulders shrugged)?? 

Oh and I work it keeps me productive. I would go crazy if I was home.

nastasia_s-

I do Zometa once a year.  A scan once a year.  The usual rounds as usual.  But this year It's a lot less.  Last year, I clocked over 75 medical appointments.  It was so many, I was late with my projects and did not get a raise of any kind.  Still, I think it was better to stay on the job.  But that's just me.