HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post

KathyT · 02-07-2015, 07:50 PM

My oncologist goes by my symptoms as well. I just finished my last Herceptin treatment this week and I had an appt with him. I asked about drawing tumor markers and he doesn't typically draw them because he feels they can fluctuate and give people more anxiety than needed. He was open to ordering them though if I insisted but I don't want the added anxiety and if they are controversial I am fine with not having them drawn(I do get CBC and Chemistry panel regularly though). I had not have an ultrasound, MRI or Pet Scan since this whole thing started January 2014, so I insisted that he order me a pet scan being it was my last treatment of Herceptin and I want peace of mind that everything is good! He wouldn't have ordered it for me if I hadn't asked for it. I agree you need to be your own advocate and maybe it's as simple as asking. If your MO refuses to order anything for you and you are not ok with that I suggest you find another onc that will work with you more. Best of luck!
Kathy

02-07-2015, 07:50 PM	#5
KathyT Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Glendale, AZ Posts: 210	Re: When to test for tumor markers My oncologist goes by my symptoms as well. I just finished my last Herceptin treatment this week and I had an appt with him. I asked about drawing tumor markers and he doesn't typically draw them because he feels they can fluctuate and give people more anxiety than needed. He was open to ordering them though if I insisted but I don't want the added anxiety and if they are controversial I am fine with not having them drawn(I do get CBC and Chemistry panel regularly though). I had not have an ultrasound, MRI or Pet Scan since this whole thing started January 2014, so I insisted that he order me a pet scan being it was my last treatment of Herceptin and I want peace of mind that everything is good! He wouldn't have ordered it for me if I hadn't asked for it. I agree you need to be your own advocate and maybe it's as simple as asking. If your MO refuses to order anything for you and you are not ok with that I suggest you find another onc that will work with you more. Best of luck! Kathy __________________ Kathy 38 years old! January 17th 2014-mammo, ultrasound, biopsy January 20th 2014- diagnosed, ER/PR+, Her2+++, Stage 2A January 21st 2014-MRI, right breast only plus lymph nodes January 23rd 2014- Pet scan-2 cm tumor, 3 lymph nodes February 4th 2014-port insertion February 12th 2014-first chemo treatment(TCHP x6 cycles) May 28th 2014-LAST chemo treatment!! July 10th 2014-double mastectomy July 29th 2014-start radiation(30) Sept. 11th 2014last radiation treatment!!! November 12 2014-started Tamoxifen January 20 2015-reconstruction begins, lat flap February 4 2015-last Herceptin treatment!! April 24, 2015- pet scan-NED!! June 3 2015- exchange surgery, port removed!! September 8 2015-hysterectomy/oophorectomy September 15 2015-Revision of lat flap reconstruction December 23 2015-nipple reconstruction May 9th 2016-Mets to pituitary gland, liver and C7 vertebrae May 10th-port put back in:( May 17th- biopsy of mass on back May 19th-started Herceptin/Perjeta May 20th-5 treatments Cyberknife to pituitary gland tumor June 9th-Started THP (will have 6 cycles) August 17th-MRI of brain, significant reduction in tumor 😃, repeat MRI in 3 months. Received first Zometa infusion. June 24th 2019- Thoracic spine Mets, leptomeningeal Mets , 10 radiation treatments Aug 1st- Ommaya Reservoir implanted