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Re: When to get scans, MRI & other tests
Hi Cat,
Welcome to this board. You will find the people on this board to be a great resource, a tremendous inspiration and a huge support group.
As far as what scans are needed and when, that is typically dependent upon what stage you are, but I also think we need to be our biggest advocate, so if something concerns you and you aren't getting a good explanation from your oncologist, I would recommend getting a second opinion.
Outside of the scans you listed, I did have a pet scan after I completed Herceptin. Since I had was an early stager, I don't think this was common, but I had a rash that persisted on my spine that concerned my onc, which is why she requested the pet scan. I really appreciated that she did that, because that made me feel much better knowing that it came back clear.
You may want to talk to your onc about having a pet scan when you complete your Herceptin or just visit with him/her about the schedule they recommend for you post treatment.
Good luck to you,
Hayley
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Hayley
Oklahoma
3/35/2009 - Diagnosed, age 39
5/7/09 - Mastectomy and reconstruction started. Two tumors found. Tumors were side by side. DCIS tumor was 2.8 cm, ER-, PR-, grade 2. Invasive tumor was 1.1 cm, poorly differentiated, grade 3, ER+90%, PR+95%, HER2+3. Thankfully, no node involvement.
5/29/09 - Second surgery resulting from difficulty healing from mastectomy.
6/2/09 - Began Herceptin treatments
6/23/09 - Began Taxotere and Carboplatin treatments along with Herception every 3 weeks.
10/06/09 - Completed Taxotere and Carboplatin - Yeah!!!
10/27/2009 - Herceptin maintenance and began Femara
12/10/2009 - 2nd stage reconstruction surgery
2/2010 - Body rejected saline implant
3/18/2010 - Second stage reconstruction using silicone implant
5/4/10 - Completed Herceptin - YEE-HAA!
May '10 - Body rejects silicone implant...taking a break.
11/29/10 - Hysterectomy
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