Telehealth follow up

Truth831

Hi, I’m feeling pretty anxious about not being to visit my oncologist and radiologist in person for my first follow up appointments later this month. I completely understand why, but I’m just worried that it’s harder to see if things are ok, and to check for signs of cancer returning, over the phone. I thought that finishing active treatment would be great, but I just feel a bit cut loose. Will a telehealth appointment be able to give the same reassurance as a face to face?
Any advice? Thanks  

arpie

Hi @Truth831 -  Welcome to the blog - Lots of fantastic info & advice here, even some 'funnies' if you need a laugh!

Any questions - whack them up & someone will jump on & answer for you xx

Tell us bit more about yourself.  When did you have your surgery, did you do Chemo and Radiation?  How long ago did you finish your active treatment?

It is totally natural to feel 'cut loose' after active treatment finishes - it has been such a large part of your life over many months .... you had something to do most if not every day - then suddenly ... NOTHING!

Make sure you have a list of questions that you may want to put to your team (is it Onc & Rad Onc that you'll be seeing?)

Maybe even record the meeting on your phone - so you can go back to it afterwards & listen again.  It is easy to 'miss' part of the conversation.

Jump onto this thread where I've put a few documents that may help you form some 'post treatment' questions
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/21973/questions-to-ask-post-surgery-of-yourself-to-your-specialists-tick-sheets-self-assessment#latest

All the best - be kind to yourself.  Stay well & safe & Happy Easter xx

Truth831

Thanks very much I’ll check those out. I am 44, had a mastectomy last August, then ACT chemo, and I have just finished radiotherapy. I will be starting hormone treatment soon, then reconstruction at some point. I think because I don’t have family here I am also feeling the isolation quite acutely, so maybe that’s feeding my concern about not seeing my doctors face to face! 

arpie

Also, keep a list of stuff that you think of, as well ..... after your rads, your skin will remain 'warm' for the next month or two, so make sure you keep your lotions up to it.

Shame you don't have family around you, specially in this mad world of ours just now ..... you can use Skype, Messenger or Zoom to keep in contact with them, face to face  -  the only other alternative to being in the same house with them (no longer allowed!)

Beryl C.

'Yes' to @arpie's suggestion that you have paper and pen handy to take notes. I have had two phone consultations in the last  few weeks and both went very well - Dr's showing lots of patience and not rushing things. Its definitely not the same as a face to face but I felt well cared for and respected. Good suggestion re skype or similar - we do this with our son (only child) in America - good 'vibes' last for a couple of days.

Truth831

Thanks, good to hear your phone consultations have been thorough, it’s the absence of physical checks that concerns me, but I trust that they know how to handle this... and I will try to be assertive! 

And yes, zoom, FaceTime and Skype are my new normal! 

arpie

Have they asked you to have scans or anything in the lead up to the telehealth consultations, @Truth831 ?

I've had a couple of telehealth meetings re my husband & myself in the last 18 months (as we are rural and the experts were in Sydney.) They would have the reports from your specialists, and work with them re ongoing treatment xx