How is ongoing monitoring done? PET, CT, MRI...??

Oh my goodness, what a terrible experience for you.  I am wondering if you are being treated via the 'public system' and were unfortunate in that you don't necessarily get the same medicos each visit ?

I do think you need to put your experience in writing to the hospital concerned.  If they do not know they cannot address the issue.  If it is a teaching hospital then it is even more important that they teach the students to read the patient history first.

I had a similar experience earlier this year (not since BC) where there was a student doctor at the clinic.  I was happy to be a 'guinea pig' for him so went in.  His greeting was "what can I do for you ?".  Me:  "Well, if you read my file you will see that Dr xx wanted me to return today".  He said "Point taken.  Thank you".  I am sure he won't greet patients like that again !

By your final comment I can see you have kept a sense of humour !  Keep it up.

Summer

Not two but three proffessionals told me I would have a mamogram in a year.

I found this to be quite insultive since I had a bilateral mastectomy. I sometimes wonder "am I just a number or a person with history" It's not Rocket science to become familiar with key points from a cancer resume.

It's a bit like telling someone with no legs I will race you to the post and back!

Sarah

Hello

I have read with interest your post and the replies.

I am yet to see my oncologist but the surgeon said he will be seeing me every three months for the first two years, then every six months for two years then yearly from then on.  I see him again on Friday (same day as oncologist) so will ask lots of questions re the tests then.

At Breastscreen I was told I won't go back there as I have had cancer, but will be sent for regular 'diagnostic' mammograms which are different from their 'screening' ones as they are looked at in far more detail.

I will post something to you after Friday.

Thanks for asking the question as it gives others, like me, a set of questions !

Summer

hi there, my details are infilitrating duct grade 2 20mm and one lymph node 0.8 er pos., pr pos, and her2 neg.  Treatment lumpectomy, radiation and tamoxafin.  My follow up after a year is yearly with my breast surgeon who will read my yearly mammagram and ultrasound and every 3-5 months with oncologist who will also start to do physical examination.  I asked about all these tests everyone else seems to be doing and he brought up screen which indicated physical reviews and mammagram and ultrasound were best practice.  This suits me as i think constant blood tests and scans etc might just keep the panic going and really i accept- mostly -there are no gaurantees and for every 'story' about picking up secondaries..there are stories about long lives led.  I sometimes see similiarites with pregnancy and i didnt ask for or was offered extra testing for my last baby although i did have a late miscarraigebefore ; just kinda trust the process...

hi there, my details are infilitrating duct grade 2 20mm and one lymph node 0.8 er pos., pr pos, and her2 neg.  Treatment lumpectomy, radiation and tamoxafin.  My follow up after a year is yearly with my breast surgeon who will read my yearly mammagram and ultrasound and every 3-5 months with oncologist who will also start to do physical examination.  I asked about all these tests everyone else seems to be doing and he brought up screen which indicated physical reviews and mammagram and ultrasound were best practice.  This suits me as i think constant blood tests and scans etc might just keep the panic going and really i accept- mostly -there are no gaurantees and for every 'story' about picking up secondaries..there are stories about long lives led.  I sometimes see similiarites with pregnancy and i didnt ask for or was offered extra testing for my last baby although i did have a late miscarraigebefore ; just kinda trust the process...

Hi,  I have had double mastectomy and reconstruction after having also had cancer in my lymph nodes.  All the follow up that I get is seeing oncologist 6 monthly and she feels around up above the breast area and listens to my chest.  I find it very unsettling not to have any scans etc.

Julia