HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - ?s on Follow-up with surgeon

janet11 · 04-24-2007, 02:00 PM

Didn't think I'd see my surgeon again except to get my port removed, but found out that he DOES have a follow-up plan. Saw him today (after my post-rads mammogram last week), and he says I'll see him every 6 months for the first 3-5 years (and my oncologist every 6 months too). After that, it'll go to once/year unless I have a recurrance. He IS a breast surgeon, so he checks my mammogram and ultrasound films and does a manual exam of nodes and breasts. Very thorough.

Turns out I have a seroma (surgery was 8 months ago). Since it's not bothering me much, we're going to wait until September (5 more months) and see how it does. Will get another mammogram/ultrasound then too. If it's not majorly smaller, he's going to probably aspirate it then. And that's when he'll remove my port as well.

It's so nice to have a PLAN. I actually relaxed when I left his office -- I felt "watched", so I didn't have to worry myself. He really is thorough.

Janet

04-24-2007, 02:00 PM	#12
janet11 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Rowlett, TX Posts: 138	Didn't think I'd see my surgeon again except to get my port removed, but found out that he DOES have a follow-up plan. Saw him today (after my post-rads mammogram last week), and he says I'll see him every 6 months for the first 3-5 years (and my oncologist every 6 months too). After that, it'll go to once/year unless I have a recurrance. He IS a breast surgeon, so he checks my mammogram and ultrasound films and does a manual exam of nodes and breasts. Very thorough. Turns out I have a seroma (surgery was 8 months ago). Since it's not bothering me much, we're going to wait until September (5 more months) and see how it does. Will get another mammogram/ultrasound then too. If it's not majorly smaller, he's going to probably aspirate it then. And that's when he'll remove my port as well. It's so nice to have a PLAN. I actually relaxed when I left his office -- I felt "watched", so I didn't have to worry myself. He really is thorough. Janet __________________ Janet in Rowlett Texas Dx July 2006 IDC 1.8cm, ER-/PR- HER2+ (FISH 7), KI67 High (60%) grade 3, TOPO II neg Aug2006: lumpectomy, SNB (4 nodes neg), Stage 1 Jan 2007: Finished 6 cycles of TCH (Taxotere, Carboplatin, Her ceptin). Then Herceptin every 3 weeks. Feb 2007: Completed Radiation May 2007: Stopped Herceptin due to low LVEF (49%) July 2007: LVEF now 44% -- starting Coreg May 2008: Heart NORMAL! Yippee.