Follow up appointments

What a difference in countries. We were dx'd at the same time. My breast surgeon only saw me once post surgery a few weeks later and I never had a mo. My RO discharged me right after my treatments were finished. But I had no need to see them actually. I have regular mammograms. I danced my way out of Cancercare in April 2014 and was happy to forget about cancer except for annual mammograms. They assessed me low risk for recurrence and I was happy to get on with my life. Explain to me what I may have missed if we did things here differentky

My MX was done out of town, so I had a local BS check on me immediately after surgery but did not continue to see him after I healed. I have had continued care with a MO since. It was hard to find a MO who would follow me with DCIS, and I have had 3 due to relocations. They examine me annually, order an MRI every 1-2 years, refer me to a OT/PT when my LE gets bad, and have prescribed antibiotics when I got cellulitis. My MO was going to "let me go" last year since I have had no recurrence, but she decided to keep me for another year to try to get the LE under control. It's a nice feeling to have someone to call.

I saw a MO from the beginning and he was very active in helping me think through my choices. He has continued to coordinate my care. He orders my mammograms and checks me every six months. He also was the one who prescribed my tamoxifen. I think there are many ways to go in this complex process. But for me it made sense to see an oncologist post surgery.

okay, I do see the MO every 6 months.  He orders a diagnostic mammogram each year, ordered the MRI 2 years after MX and 1 year after initial exchange surgery...the fluid in the pocket and textured implant led to the second exchange last week.  I have not had ultrasounds...that sounds like a good middle ground in between MRIs. While the MRI was "covered" by insurance...I still had a $900+ co-pay on the $5000+ MRI charge, yikes. TT