Sunday, June 20, 2010

The Oncologist Visit That Wasn't

My oncologist is a breast cancer survivor as well. When I met her for the first office visit, she was sporting a wig and a lymphydema sleeve. As much as I like her, she does something no other onc I know does: insists on regular follow-up visits every three months well past the one and five year NED (no evidence of disease) marks. Other oncs drop to six month visits after a year then once a year after two NED years.

OK, so cancer isn't part of my daily thought process anymore, but every three months I hafta make an appointment, have blood drawn, weight taken and lymph nodes felt. The only other tests she's ordered is a bone density scan (and that was two years ago), so it isn't even a case of "scan-xiety" (the seemingly long amount of time between having a test done and getting the results). I just hate going to see her on principle alone.

I missed the last visit in April because I had something to do for work, I think. I was supposed to call the next week to reschedule, but I never did. Might as well wait until July and schedule it then, but I don't even want to do that. It's self-defeating and stupid, but, what can I say? I just don't wanna go!

Yep - that's me in the corner frowning and pouting, can't ya tell?

2 comments:

Dennis Pyritz, RN said...

I just found your blog. As a fellow cancer survivor, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Also...Great Blog! You are a credit to the cancer blogging community. I have added you to my blogroll, “Cancer Blogs” with over 1000 other personal cancer blogs at www.beingcancer.net, a cancer networking site featuring a cancer book club, guest blogs, cancer resources, reviews and more.
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Take care, Dennis (beingcancer@att.net)

Elizabeth said...

Do what feels right to you! If you don't want to go, then don't. This cancer process takes so much control away from you, you have to find little ways to take it back.
Talk to your onc and see if she'd agree to less office visits and tell her way you are asking..
just my opinion