How often do you see your oncologists?

My onc said that 2 years after end of tx I will switch to 4 months.  He actually offered that up at my last visit and I turned him down.  Told him I needed to see my blood results every 3 months still. I know going one month longer won't make a difference if something showed up...but my psych isn't ready for the additional month.  As it is, my next 3 month is in 2 weeks and I am getting canceritis this week.

Bugs

Five year anniversary coming up next month.  Still go every six months to Oncologist---bloodwork every three because of elevated liver enzymes---(normal for me apparently--but still freaks me out with every lab).

Breast surgeon--as of next visit will be graduating from twice to once a year.-----Rather not be on the yearly plan with the surgeon.  I don't feel confident with all that scar tissue to examine my own breasts. 

I'm going for my follow up on Dec.6, but I called to change the time because my surgeon booked me with a gasterinterologist on the same day but one hour earlier.  When I called to change the time they said that I had to see her that morning right after my other appointment and worst part is they are at two different hospitals across town from each other. I just don't see why they wouldn't book me another day it has me paranoid now. Oh well it's my bd and I'm supposed to be in a good mood but that sort of ruined it. I just can't wait until I can take an appointment without thinking the worst all the time.

HI friends,

I basically insisted on every six months as I get so nerved out!  And because they don't do any tests or blood work anyway.  They reluctantly agreed.  It's worked out well for me -- it seems like I've had to go in to see the onc. inbetween anyway though to check a lump I had found ( B9) and to do some stuff to qualify for a clinical trial.  I'm almost 3 years out. 

Wendy

Hi Janis,

I was dx early January 2006, finished treatment September 2006.  I see my onocologist every three months.  I am one of those weird borderline Stage IIIa-er's (ILC, mass was not large, but 6/16 positive nodes AND I had DCIS with a micro invasion of IDC in the opposite breast), er/pr positive.  Switched from Tamoxifen to Femara once I had been 6 or 7 months out of treatment and clearly in menopause.  We don't do tests or scans other than for general health (blood pressure, blood glucose, etc) but that means she wants to have a look and talk pretty regularly.  MIGHT get to a 6 month interval with her soon.  I'm now on annual with the radiation onc, and 6 months with the breast surgeon (mammograms every 6, MRI annually since that's what found the ILC)...Leigh 

Hi Janis and everyone,

I have not been on too much lately.  I have a new job that takes up a lot of my time and I still take a graduate class and of course, there's my family.  Anyway, I just passed 3 years too.  I have been going every six months for my bloodwork and checkup for the past year.  However, I get to visit the onc's office every 28 days for my lupron shot, so I can never "forget" about my cancer.  I am happy to get tumor markers taken only every six months. 

Rosie 

I'm not quite at 2 yrs out yet.  So I see my onc every 3 months.  I only see my surgeon if my seroma is bothering me or I have another problem.  I have tumor markers, CBC ran every 3 months.  I also have brain MRI and a PET/CT scan every 6 months. After the two year mark I'm not sure what she will say?  Probably every 6 months I would think?

Chelee

   Dx 12-05, Stage IIIA, Er & Pr pos, 5 of 16 pos nodes.
Dx 12/20/2005, IDC, 3cm, Stage IIIa, Grade 3, 5/16 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+

I will be one year out at the end of December. I go and see my onc. every 3 months. I have to say he is great I saw him before my mastecomy because I wanted to know what my treatment was going to be and he was surprised because he says normally he doesn't see you until after the surgery but he gave me great information and when I go to my visits he is never in a hurry to go out the do plus we have to gossip about my rad onc doctor because we went to high school together.

i was dx april 06- i go every 6 months and am up for my 6 month check up on 1/14  ugh hate to go back there

just do tumor markers  never scans anyone unless there is symptoms

Good day everyone, boy you all have defined "follow up" for me. I finished my chemo 3/6/07 and rads 6/28/07. I saw my onc on Halloween and she didn't want to run any tests other than the bloodwork I had prior to her appt. My CEA was elevated and she just brushed it off. She did not listen to my concerns with any validity and mentioned insurance paying/not paying for a follow up CEA. She never laid a hand on me for an exam. Needless to say I've changed oncs. Wish I had done that earlier.

My new onc immediately ordered CT scan and followup bloodwork. She also gave me a thorough exam. With all my lumpies and rolls (no reconstruction) I am not confident with my self exam. I will be seeing her next week and we will figure out whats next. I am also booked with my radiation onc for a 6 month follow up. I haven't seen my surgeon other than a panic visit shortly after masc. I also haven't heard from his office since. I kind of felt hung out to dry, Thank God my new onc actually listens.

I have lost so many family members to all kinds of cancer it makes me hyper aware of my risks.

Has anyone had any kind of cardiac follow up? I've been reading about congestive heart failure related to ac treatment? I had a cardiac ultrasound prior to chemo but no follow up of any kind.

Carolyn

i see my onc every 3 months.   She also does bloodwork every time i go.  I will see her every 3 months for 2 years and then every 4 months for 2 years and then every 6 months after that indefinitely. 

every 6 months i was dx april 06 took my blood work today in advance have my appt feb 11 always get totally nervous before my checkup ugh waiting it out now for the results

ann i am nyc too! where were u treated? by who

i ann

i was treated at memorial sloan but all nyc hospitals are wonderful!! i loved my docs