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sandramj's avatar
sandramj
Member
8 years ago

Oncologist visit after radiation - Questions

After 30 treatments of radiation I am back to oncologist tomorrow and wondering what questions I should ask:
Ive got a few of my own asI will be starting on hormone therapy as cancer was oestrogen & progesterone positive but HER2 Negative.
Ive been doing an online course (Brief uni) called Demystifying Cancer treatments and its been amazing.  (its on future learn if anyones interested and is free).  Im learning so much even though its way above my head with cells, growth factors, etc.
Basic questions are - How quickly after can I start a gym program?
Do I go back to taking Vit D & Calcium tabs?
Ive been trying to cut out alcohol, sugar and carbs from my diet for a good healthy diet - continue?
What type of Hormone therapy will I be on - expectations? Side effects?
As I won't be taking Hercepton etc any other treatments for HER2 Negative?
I think its 5-6 weeks after radiation ends that I have scans to see if theres any more cancer anywhere else -  Pet scan or individual scans of bones, brain, heart, liver etc?  Which is best?

These are new questions after reading the info in this course as there seems to be many new treatments and tests available than I had read about previously in my info packs or online .
New treatments for MY cancer?    Kinase inhibitors?  Immunotherapy?  Any trials?
New tests:  T cells?  If they're high means they are fighting cancer.
      The blood test that. depicts dead cancer cells in it.
     Angiogenesis?  That stops the blood spreading through the blood?
     Checkpoint proteins and checkpoint inhibitors?

It is my nature to want to know as much about anything I have wrong with me to understand it and to ensure the medical team are on track with treatment as they are human too.
Please add any ideas or questions you think of.  I know these are a long list of questions and I may not ask all of them but like to have the list with me to ask which ever seems relevant during our conversation.
Thanks in anticipation.
 


  • Zoffiel's avatar
    Zoffiel
    Member
    8 years ago
    Go back to the gym as soon as you like. The vit D and calcium go hand in hand with the hormone treatment.

    As for tests, I saw my rad onc this week to sign off with him, he thinks I should have another bone scan as I have persistent pain in my hip. I'll do that just to establish that there is nothing sinister going on, but then that is it. I'm not having pet or CT scans unless there is a very, very good reason to think I have Mets. All that stuff is really invasive and my body has had enough. To be honest, I just don't care. If it kills me, it kills me-all the tests in the world won't stop it. I'm not having blood tests either. It's too bloody stressful. The letrazole I'm on is supposed to be a good blocker for bone mets so that is sufficient as far as I'm concerned. If I get sick then we will see, but no more of the checking just in case.

    I had really troublesome joint pain, mainly in my feet knees and ankles, when I started the hormone treatment. Three months later and some physio, that's getting better. My main problem now is fatigue --which is harder to deal with than pain in my opinion. That too will pass, eventually. Sooner rather than later, I hope, but only time will tell.
  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    8 years ago
    Vitamin D and Calcium may well be recommended, just check. Keeping to a healthy diet is good for all sorts of reasons! Starting when on treatment gives you a good head start, so why stop? Side effects from hormone therapy vary (like everything) - ask and/or check the written information supplied with your prescription. Some side effects can be managed or reduced, but not all. Ask how long you are likely to be on it. Can't answer most of your other questions but they are good to ask. All in favour of knowing as much as you can, if that's your preference. Best wishes.
  • sandramj's avatar
    sandramj
    Member
    8 years ago
    @primek thank you for that link - It was great reading.  Since I've been back to oncologist now he said no pet scan or other scans - blood tests usually tell us if the cancer has been killed off or not.  After reading the future learn course "Demystifying Cancer treatments" I see blood tests show us the strength of our T cells, the type of dead cancer cells and how many ae in our blood so trust that this is a better test than scans at this stage.  Im learning to trust the process.  :)

  • Brenda5's avatar
    Brenda5
    Member
    8 years ago
    A blood test before my diagnosis never picked the cancer up. I think before my 5 years post treatment is over I would request a ct scan just to be sure there is nothing else sinister.