Follow up appointments, possible change of team...
Hi All I am two years out from a stage 2 triple positive IDC diagnosis. I have completed chemo, surgery, targeted therapy and am on hormonal therapy for at least three more years. I see my oncologist and surgeon once a year each, at a 6mth interval. I recently completed my annual ultrasound and then went to my booked appointment with my surgeon. When I arrived, I was advised that she is now contracting to that surgery and wasn't in that day. Apparently she now only attends there once a month and her main surgery is now a 40min drive from where I live. No one had informed me of this or called to reschedule my appointment. I have re-booked an appointment for a couple of weeks time (when the surgeon will be at the surgery close to me). They have advised that due to the extended timing, my GP referral will have run out and I need a new one, so I now need to book in with my GP for a referral. I am really frustrated becuase I have to take time off work for all these appointments, but worse that no one seems to care - the receptionist hardly even apologised! I had to call and check that they still have my medical records becuase it felt like I wasn't even a patient anymore. These appointments are stressful enough without all this mucking around! Given that I need follow ups for at least the next three years, I am wondering whether anyone has changed their medical team and if so, whether there were any issues?? Also feel free to tell me that it is a bad idea to change and that I should just suck up the appointment mistake and move on! Thanks, Suki xxFollow-up screening post surgery
Moderator moved @Cobi post to main discussion area of the forum: Cobi Regional QLD Member Posts: 1 New Member 10:17AM Options Hello, my name is Cobi and I was diagnosed with ILC HER2 positive in January 2023. Since then I have had a double mastectomy. 2/3 of my lymph nodes were removed. I am now well and cancer free but have lost all faith in screening. I am really curious about post operative screening for potential reoccurrence.
Telehealth follow up
Hi, Iām 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 Iām just worried that itās 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
Good report for Year 2 review
I saw my surgeon yesterday and he is very happy with how I am going ... so much so that next year will be my last appointment with him unless I get concerned about anything! I am Very happy with that! He was particularly happy with the feel of my breast tissue following the 4 weeks of radiation .... saying it was almost the same as the non treated breast, with no real detectable āhard bitsā. I mentioned that I was on āthe good oilsā and he was interested enough to ask where I got it! Hopefully, like Canberra, where residents can now grow 2 plants for Personal use .... hopefully it will be legalised, Australia wide, sooner than later. Last night on channel 9 news in QLD ... A Legal medical marijuana clinic called Plant Med will open in Brisbane. Very expensive though, they quoted $100 to $250 a week. Take care and all the best for your ongoing treatments xx
Should I question it?
Last month I had my one year since diagnosis mammogram and check up with a surgeon substitute. He has booked me in for another six monthly check as that will be one year from mastectomy. So far so good. However, he booked me for an ultrasound as well. Not a mammogram and he didnāt say whether it is for the mx side or boob side. This takes place after my appt with the surgeon. My questions are : Do they do an ultrasound instead of a mammogram to change things up or will the ultrasound be for the mx side? And Does it make since to anyone that the ultrasound is after my surgeon appt? This surgeon substitute didnāt even know he was supposed to check my mx site until I told him and then he only did a cursory check so I am a bit concerned he might have got these other things messed up. Should I ask my cranky BC nurse about it or just leave things as they are and let them deal with their own stuff ups?
Follow -up/monitoring at conclusion of treatment
I have 4 more rads to go to complete my treatment (also on Letrazone). I had initial surgery as a private patient and then due to a bit of a complication was referred on to public for radiation treatment. I was extremely happy with my private surgeon - not so the oncologist she works with. The doctors/therapists at the public hospital have generally been fantastic and I canāt fault the treatment I have received. Of course being a public hospital I have not always seen the same dr or nurse. My dilemma is what to do at conclusion of treatment. If it worked I would like to return to my original surgeon, but not so her oncologist. I have yet to ask what the follow-up involves - I assume visits & tests at different intervals. Wondering if I can have feedback from you lovely people as to who you see in this period. Is it the breast surgeon or the oncologist or a combination of both. I have yet to ask this question at hospital because I havenāt seen my original oncologist recently. I also probably have a preference for the private rooms as opposed to the hospital clinic. Not sure which way to go?
