Question is When Will I be turned loose?
Hi everyone
I still have to finish chemo, then surgery, then 6 weeks of rads. My question is how long after rads what is the next step? How often will I still have checkups, tests and such. I'm so ready to move on from this and travel. Trying to figure out how long I'm going to be tied to this one area.
Thanks for all the help you guys have given me this far!
Comments
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You will have quarterly check ups for 2 years and then six monthly for next 3 years and annually therafter
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Thanks many, not really what I wanted to hear though. As we travel out of state at least 6 months at a time.
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My onc had me on three month check-ups for two years, then went to every four months. I just went to every six months this year. So it really all depends on your onc's system. I'm sure he would accommodate skipping one so you could take at least one six month trip a year...just schedule your appts for just before you leave and as soon as you come back.
They don't do much more at mine other than check blood work and ask if I have any new symptoms.
I don't see my rad onc, my breast surgeon (he died this past winter), or my plastic surgeon. A couple of follow ups with them was all that was needed.
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Explain the situation to your doctors. It's quite possible these days to get a scan in Miami and have it read in Vegas. It's tougher if you are totally footloose when you travel, but friends of mine spend part of the year in San Antoine, part of the year here in South Dakota, and then bounce around amongst their kids, who are all over the country. Their doctors are very good at getting them a "once over" with a trusted colleague, along with whatever tests they what ran where ever they wander, and just getting copies of the records sent to the home office. They still need to check in once in a while, and keep in touch via email etc., but it can work.
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No one can tell you what your Dr's will want to continue doing with you. We are each unique as is our DX/TX and our Drs.
For me, my Rads Dr was the first to 'kick me to the curb' about 9 mths after rads. Surgeon was next about a year after surgery as long as I see my PA every 6 nmths - not a problem. My Chemo Dr has said that I will always see him every 6 mths because being IBC makes me a 'high risk' and he wants to be sure I stay on Femara forever. I used to see my PA annually (she's been my PA since 1996) but now it's every 6 mths.
Fo me - I did 4 DD A/C, 2 weeks later mod rad mast, 3 weeks later 12 weekly Taxol, a week later 25 Rads, and a week after starting rads started Femara. Most do not go through the process that quickly but I did.
Talk to your Drs.
Cindyl - Are you East River or West River? I'm West River. -
Kicks. Hi Neighbor. I'm West River. Rapid City girl.
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I'm Stage IIIc too, and my onc says he's going to keep me on a short leash (3 month intervals) for awhile.
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I didn't see the surgeon or rads onc again after finishing tx. I saw the med onc every three months with bloodwork for 2 years. Now I have 6 monthly appointments with bloodwork the day before.
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Cindyl -
Box Elder here. -
Thanks everyone for the input. Our work takes us traveling to many states, but I guess we might have to try for ones closer to MO.
Cindyl and Kicks last year we spent part of the year working in Cactus Flat. Had to do our major shopping in Rapid City. We hope to get back up there sometime in the future, farther west than what we were though.
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Lostinmo-if you don't mind me asking, what do you do that you would be working at Cactus Flats? My guess would be paleontology or prairie dog repair...
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Cindyl- you had me laughing so hard at that my son had to come in and check on me. We do workamping jobs and was at the campground there before you go into the Badlands. What made me laugh was we just put up a story about the prairie dogs on our blog last week. They were our closest neighbors.
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Ah. Well I knew prarie dogs had to be involved.
I have a soft spot for the little buggers, but my relatives who homesteaded down in that neighborhood sure had nasty things to say about them.
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Cindyl I rememer the locals didn't like the little guys, but they are fun to watch!
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