post treatment visits to radiologist

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BCSucks1
BCSucks1 Member Posts: 26

it's been over a year since I finished radiation but my radiologist wants to see me every 6 months (as does my oncologist) I under my oncologist because of meds I'm on, and the blood test etc but I don't understand why I need to continue with radiologist.. I have a high deductible insurance so I have to pay for the visit and the tests. Does anyone else how this follow up.

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  • Ingerp
    Ingerp Member Posts: 2,624
    edited January 2020

    You can ask your RO what he/she will be doing at the follow-up appointments. I still see my RO every six months, but I have good insurance, I like her, and she orders my annual mammos. I decided not to see my BS any more--she offered me the option of continuing to see her or not. We both thought that with my ongoing care with my RO and MO, my hooters are getting looked at plenty.

  • BCSucks1
    BCSucks1 Member Posts: 26
    edited January 2020

    thanks. So you think bi-annual check up is standard? I had double mastectomy so no more mammograms for me. She just seems to check in with me and order tests to see if radiation effected my thyroid. And yes I stopped seeing my surgeon because I’m just tired of spending so much time at hos

  • gb2115
    gb2115 Member Posts: 1,894
    edited January 2020

    My RO saw me every six months for the first 2 years, and then switched to once a year. I'm not sure how long she will follow me yearly for.

  • mom2bunky
    mom2bunky Member Posts: 189
    edited January 2020

    Gosh. I can only tell you my experience which was that I saw the RO again 3 months after radiation was completed and she told me she "hoped to never see me again!" It was a sweet moment actually, I liked her a lot. She said she's here if I feel I need to see her, but as far as she was concerned I was done with her. I see the MO again in February, unsure how often she'll want to see me while I'm on Tamoxifen. Presumably yearly at least. I am having mammograms every six months and seeing the breast surgeon after each one. I've got a feeling this will be going on for some time. We'll see.

  • flashlight
    flashlight Member Posts: 698
    edited January 2020

    BCSucks1, My RO said the same as mom2bunky's did. If I wanted I could rotate RO,BS,MO every 4 months. I felt that was too much so I see my MO every 4 months for now. I think that will change after 2 years. What kind of test do you need to see if your thyroid is ok and can your MO help you with those?

  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited January 2020

    One follow up with RO each time. Same with BS. I told him I never wanted to see him again. Now I see MO every 4-6 weeks, labs monthly.

    First time around it was MO every 6 months with labs. Each one is different with what they want. Including what they do, or don’t, order on the labs.

  • BCSucks1
    BCSucks1 Member Posts: 26
    edited January 2020

    thanks for all the responses and Info. The tests are echos and blood tests. I think I will ask if my MO can do them and skip one set of doctor appts. Or at least go down to once a year.

  • AliceBastable
    AliceBastable Member Posts: 3,461
    edited January 2020

    After my last radiation session, I was told there was no reason for me to come back, but to call if I had a problem or questions. I saw my BS twice the first year, now just annually the same day I get my mammogram. I see the MO every three months, which will switch to every four months once I hit the 2-year mark with no issues.

  • LillyIsHere
    LillyIsHere Member Posts: 830
    edited October 2020

    I feel so left out. I am told to see PS yearly, MO every 6 months and no one else. Is this normal?

  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited October 2020

    I saw my BS & PS for post op appointments and then again at 6 months. After that I only saw the MO & RO. I saw the MO every 6 months for 18 months, then moved to one year visits. I saw the RO at 6 months & one year and then never again.

  • callmegenie
    callmegenie Member Posts: 74
    edited October 2020

    I understand I will see a doctor every 4 months (RO, BS, MO) for the first 2 years, then I don't know if it's every 6 months or every year. By the way, I switched ROs. My first radiation follow-up will be with a new RO.

    I have two questions, maybe Minus Two knows the answers :)

    1) Since I'm not on any meds, I wonder if I should just alternate between the BS and the RO?

    2) Are the follow-up appointments every 4 months only for patients that received RT?


  • flashlight
    flashlight Member Posts: 698
    edited October 2020

    callmegenie, I don't know what surgery you had. That would determine who you should see more often. Where I went you could rotate MO, RO, BS. I decided that is too much and I really didn't need to see the RO or BS so I just see my MO every 3-4 months. I am hoping that will change next year to every 6 months. I need to see her for my tamoxifen and some of my labs since being diagnosed with lymphedema.

  • callmegenie
    callmegenie Member Posts: 74
    edited October 2020

    Flashlight, I had a lumpectomy and I’m not taking medication this time. Sounds like you made a good decision. I’m thinking I will alternate between BS and RO. Where I had surgery the surgeon is the head of the team, but in other places it is the MO. Thanks for your answer :)


  • MinusTwo
    MinusTwo Member Posts: 16,634
    edited October 2020

    I only saw the BS for post op and at 6 months. Same with the plastic surgeon. I saw the MO every 3 months for the first year. Then dropped to twice a year. Now I only go in once a year & I've been stretching that because of Covid. My PCP now writes all the orders for blood tests every 6 months & it's my choice to see my Gyn for my prolia shots - again every 6 months.

    Oh forgot to say RO - I saw her at 3 months & 6 months & one year. She referred me to a certified, trained LEPT for my breast & truncal lymphadema - which I did for a year.

  • callmegenie
    callmegenie Member Posts: 74
    edited October 2020

    Minus Two, thanks for the answer. It gives me an idea about what to expect for follow-up appointments

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